So well did he perform his duties that at the expiration of his term he was re-elected, and in 1873 was chosen for a third term without opposition, his election being especially favored by the most prominent lawyers of the county without regard to party ties. Upon his retirement from office the following appeared in one of the leading newspapers of the county, reflecting, in substance, notices which appeared in nearly all the county papers:

"J. Slalcolm Smith. Esq., whose third term of office as County Clerk of this County expired on the fli-st of the present month, carries with him, in retiring from his official labors, the respect, good opinion and confidence of our entire community ; and our Board of Supervisors, on the eve of his retiring from the office which he hits so long and soahly titled, took occasion to give public and official cei tification to the correct and efficient manner in which he has discharged the various and important duties of the office during the past nine years, in the unanimous adoption of the Report of its Standing Committee on County Clerk."

The rei)ort of the Supervisors' Committee referred to closes as follows :

" Your Committee wotild report that at the reque.st of J. Malcolm Smith, the present County Clerk, who.se term of office is about to expire, they have made a thorough investigation ae to the present condition of the books, papers and records of the office, and find the minutes of all the Courts duly recorded ; the Registers of Actions and Special Proceedings written up to date and properly inde.\ed ; the Judgments docketed in the most plain and neat manner; the Lis Pendens, Sherifl""8 Certificates, Assignments, &c., all recorded and plainly indexed ; and everything relating to the papers and records of the olfice showing that regularity and order i)revail throughout, and that no unfinished business will be left to he performed by Mr.