Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

James A. Bear Papers, Accession 5454-f, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Acquisition Information

This collection was given to the Library on November 2, 1989, by James A. Bear, Jr. of Ivy, Virginia.

Scope and Content

This collection, 1930-1938, of 128 items, contains political correspondence, 1930-1932, of James Adam Bear (1881-1956) as chairman of the Auditing Committee of the General Assembly; and correspondence, speeches, and newspaper clippings, 1936-1938, relating to Bear's unofficial role as confidant and advisor to James H. Price, the Governor of Virginia.

As chairman of the Auditing Committee, Bear corresponded with C. Lee Moore, Auditor of Public Accounts; John T. Sale, Acting Secretary of the State Auditing Committee; Major B. B. Clarkson, Director of Athletics at Virginia Military Institute; C. P. Miles, Director of Athletics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute; William S. Gooch, Jr., Athletic Manager at William and Mary College; Griffenhagen & Associates, experts in the field of public administration and finance; and others. Subjects discussed include the finances of the athletic departments of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Virginia Military Institute, and William and Mary (October 1930 and January 1931); an audit of the accounts of the Division of Motor Vehicles (December 8, 1930); the death of C. Lee Moore (December 30, 1930); the progress being made in installing the new system of accounts (January 20, 1931); charges being made by the Virginia Research Bureau, Inc. (March 5-6, 1931); and, negotiations with Griffenhagen & Associates concerning "the technical work involved in the installation of a new uniform system of accounting for the counties of Virginia (see July 22, 1931).

Correspondence of James A. Bear with James H. Price chiefly concern Price's gubernatorial campaign and activities during his first year as Governor of Virginia. Other correspondents include George B. Collings, Robert W. Daniel, Martin A. Hutchinson, Donald T. Stant, and Everett Randolph Combs. Topics discussed include Price's platform declarations (January 12, 16, 19, & 20, 1937); candidates for lieutenant governor (January 25 & 27 and February 1, 1937) and attorney general (February 1, 3, & 15, 1937); Price's proposed statement to the press (February 16, 20, & 23, 1937); Vivian Page 's entering the gubernatorial race (April 23, 24, 25, & 28, 1937); Price's nomination by the Democratic Party (August 4 & 6, 1937); and, the turmoil over recent years at the State Highway Commission of Virginia (July 11, 1938). Also included are the text of a speech delivered by Lieutenant Governor Price in his campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor (July 21, 1937) and several newspaper articles.