Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-08-28
A Remarkable Confession.


 ment" Maj. Mccoy acknowledges that he was defaulter as county 'trreasurer of jefferson county, but in his statement recites that g., 303.- I 70 Of this dedication was settled with County Treasurer R. c. $. Austin in 1883.
 This remarkable confession of Maj. McCoy's has br, ught forth an examination of the records.
 In record book Y. page 377, in the cireuitcIerk' office, IS a certain deed of trust made, signed aud acknowl edged by H A. Mccoy to J. s. Bell as trustee. The entry is as follows:
 Whereas, said + A Mccoy as treasurer of Jefferson county, is in- debted in his accounts on final set clement to the county of Jefferson and state Of Arkansas in the sam of B, TOO, for which said secur- ities in said bond are liable. ? I Now, the record book shows that Mccoy, as treasurer, was defaulter in the sum Of $4, TOO In Maj. Me. Coy's statement published Friday he shows that he afterwards paid to the county treasurer the sum of g, 303. 10, in separate funds, to cover said dedication. This would leave 8 balance of $2. .39B 30. What be. came of the difference? Maj. Me Coy in his statement does not at tempt to explain this point. Was thls difference or balance due the county compromised, or is it still due the county and is Maj. Mccoy stillin default to that extent? This matter should be explained away.
 It will also be observed from Maj. McCoy's confession that his set clement was made with R. G. s. Austin as county treasurer Maj. MrCoy's successor in office was 0. P. Snider, wko died during his term and was succeeded by R. c. s. Aus tin. ] It will therefore be observed that some time elapsed before Maj. Mccoy, ex-treasurer, made any set clement with the county whatever. Maj. Mccoy Tn his statement says
 Among those of ny bondsmen who are yet living are Capt. s. N. Reeder, c. H. Triplett, J NJ. Bar rett, s. c. Roane, J. s. Bell and T. B. Martin, any one of whom will at test the fact that made full set clement Gas shown by the county records) and not one of my bonds. men were ever called on for or paid one dollar for me.
 On this point the statutes of Ar kansas provide
 Sec. 1s49. It shall be unlawful for any off cer of this state, or of any county, township, city or incorporated town iu this state. or any deputy clerk, or other person employed by any such odlcer, having custody or pe~ses- sion of any public funds, by virtue of his office or employment to use any of such funds in any hammer " whatsoever for his own purpose or benefit or to loan any Of such I IdHQS lD Nily pSfsOh or fDoIdbtOu NHOUi5D- everor whatsoever, or to permit any person or corporation, whomsoever or whatsoever. to use any If such funds. or to pay or deliver any such funds toany person or corporation. Knowing that he is not entitled to receive it, or for any such officer to wilfully fall or omit to pay over any such funds to his sue eessor in office at the expiration of his term of office
 Sec 1851. Any such officer, deputy clerk. employe or person, who shall violate any of the provisions of sections 1s49 or 1S50 and all 1 rersons aiding, abetting, advising, assisting l or encouraging such violation, shall be deemed guilty of felony, and upon convic= ton thereof, shall be punished by imprison- ment in the jail and penitentiary house of the state for a period of not less than five years, nor more than twenty-one years,
 This was the law when H. A. Me Coy defaulted. Notwlthstand- ing Maj McCoy's settlement, ) which does not appear to have been in full, he was subject to an indict- ment for a felony The State Su- preme Court has decided that the settlement of dedication is no de- fense at law ia a criminal procedure. But this has been several years ago, and. Of course, prosecution is now barred by the statutes of limitation, and, perhaps, the fact that the Mai or was a defaulter as treasurer would not have been known or men, tioned in the present campaign had it not been for his published state, ment. Maj. Mccoy also says ''The goed democrats of Jefferson county since then have endorsed me twice for the office of assessor and twice for the office of circuit clerk, which should be quite sufficient evil