The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-03-13
Reverend Rascals.
Systematic Stealing From a
Soul-Saving Society.


New YORK, March The alleged
DEFICIENCIES in the accounts Of the
American Church Missionary Society,
and which have resulted 80 far in the
secretary Of the body, Rev. W. A.
Newbold severing his connection with
it. promise to be brimful Of scandal.
The deficit amounts to some $40, 900
and the chairman of the finance com.
mittee. George G. White made a state
ment this afternoon in the matter. When
he concluded it be declined to say
whether or not proceedings would be
Instituted against the alleged offender.
Mr.. White said "I'm comparative
ly a new member of the executive board,
and in January last at the meeting of
the board, [ was put 10 as chairman Of
the finance committee. Immediately
upon looking into my duties, | found
the books called for a large cash bal
ance 10 the hands of a trust committee.
I was Informed by the secretary Of the
society, H.A. Oakley, that there was
an error 10 the accounts, as be had no
such money 10 hand. l was afterwards
informed that the general secretary
knew there was a discrepancy some
months prior, but did not inform the
board at the January meeting. The
treasurer was at once called on by me
to produce his books and to show where
the difference existed. Also, in looking
over the books. i discovered some mat
tiers that seemed to be irregular, and
I Immediately put an expert on the
books I brougb! him to the Office aud
introduced him to Mr.. w. A. Newbold,
who was the general secretary, and d.
rected him to produce all books. vouch-
ers and papers be might ask for. There
appeared to be several items in regard
to Mr.. Newbold's accounts that required
inspection. At the end of a few days,
Mr.. Newbold finding the temperature
of the Office getting too hot for him,
sent his keys to the finance committee
and announced that he had severed his
connection with the society.
"Tbe result of the experts investiga'
tion showed that Mr.. Newbold has over.
drawn from the society the sun of
about $4,000 over and above the
amount due him for salary, and fur
tbermore that moneys received from in
terests and other sources to the
amount of about $1,000 be has failed to
credit on the books, and the checks for
the same we're not deposited in the So
c%iety's bank account. Mr.. Newbold
has confessed to four different members
of the society these defalcations, and
we have also a letter written by him
confessing his crime and pleading 90
the score Of the past service, for leni-
eucy, and claiming that be vas obliged
to take this money to support a large
and expensive family. Mr. Newbold
lives in a 6ue place at Mont Clair, n
j., which be states to the press be es-
timated to be worth $25, 900, aud also
keeps horses, a COW and carriages. Mr..
Newbold's statement that be was allow
ed $1,000 for travelling expenses is To-
correct, as all his travelling expenses
we're a proper charge against the ex-
pense account. The house is m~ortgaged
for about $1,000 and be has expressed
his willingness to deed whatever equity
is in it to the society. He has been
secretary for twenty-six years and has
always been most implicitly trusted BY
the officers and members of tbc board.
The expert account 1t has ascertained
that for certainly the past tee years,
aud how much longer we don't know,
be has been Systematically robbiug the
sacred treasury Of the society
Mr.. White would not say who the
members of the society we're to whom
Newbold is alleged to have confessed,
nor would he produce the letter which
be said had been received from New
bold.
Rev. A. B. Kinsolving of Brooklyn,
who has been appointed secretary pro
ten, was present while Mr.. White made
his statement. At its conclusion, be
said: ..Please put down Rev. A. B.
KinsolviDg, who has been appointed
secretary pro tenn, as believing the
above statement absolutely"
Treasurer Oakley was present at a
private meeting Of the board this even
ipg.