By JOHN GOOLRICK

By JOHN GOOLRICK

Rappahannock Newt Special Writer

Pardon me if I haven’t gotten all lathered up over Governor Doug Wilder’s slush fund left over from the inaugural ceremonies.

In the tradition of Charles Robb, who used surplus inaugural monies to form a so-called “Chuck PAC,” Wilder made money from the ceremonies and now has the right to use them in any fashion he wishes.

Common Cause, other groups and some editorial writers are disturbed that Gov. Wilder won’t release a list of all those who bought high priced tickets to inaugural galas and provided other funding leading up to his historic swearing in as chief executive.

Before I create the impression of being insensitive to ethical considerations in politics, let me say I generally admire and support calls for fuller disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures, personal assets of public officials and where they come from and, to some extent, tighter limits on donations to Virginia seekers of elected office.

Yet having spent many years roaming the halls of the State Capitol and the rest of the state beyond “The Holy City” watching politicians and lobbyists at work, I seldom got the slightest whiff of any corruption of the process.

Unlike a certain neighboring state where the former three-term governor is going to the slammer for taking bribes, seldom is coin of the realm passed directly and illegally in Virginia for the personal profit of elected or appointed officials. And that’s at least one tradition worth maintaining.

Not to say, however, that politicians in Virginia don’t actively solicit contributions to such favorite causes as their re-election committee or their political party. Send in a few bucks and your address to a politician or a party and soon your mailbox may be brimming over with computerized pleas empty your