Semi=weekly graphic., 1898-08-31
A Remarkable confess1on.

| Il. A. MCCOY, the alleged d2mOcFdUlC nominee for sheriff. In this "state- ment" Mai. Mccoy acknowledges that he was , defaulter as county treasurer of Jefferson county. but in his statement recites that $2, 303.- 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 BIT, in the circuitclerk's office, Is Q certain deed of trust made, signed and acknowl l edged by H A. Mccoy to J. s. Bell as trustee. The entry is as follows:
 Whereas, said H. 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 $4, 700 for which said secur- ities in said bond are liable. '
 Now, the record book shows that Mccoy, as treasurer, was a defauIter in the sum of s4, TOO. In Maj. Nc Coy's statement published Friday he shows that he afterwards paid to the county treasurer the sum of $2, ,303.70, in separate funds, to cover said dedication. This would leave Q balance of go, 1896 30 What be- came of the dffference2 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 extent2 This matter should be explained away.
 It will also be observed from Maj. McCoy's confession that his aset- tlement' was made with R c. s. Austin as county treasurer. Maj McCoy's successor in office was o. P. Snider, who died during his term and was succeeded by R. c. s. Aus tin. It will therefore be observed that some time elapsed before Mai. Mccoy, ex-treasurer, made any set clement with the county whatever. Mai. Mccoy in his statement says:
 Among those of my bondsmen who are yet living are Capt. s. N. Beeder, c. Fl. friplett, J. NJ Bar rett, s. c. Roane, J. S. Bell and [.
 n 1f--.,-. >-r .4ls.s- test the fact that made a full set tlemeat Gas shown by the county rec9rds) 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. Itshall be unlawful for any off eer of this state, or of any county, township city, or incorporated town in this state. or any deputy clerk, or other person employed by any such officer, having custody or posses sion of any public funds, by virtue of his office or employment to use any of such funds in any Iaanner " hatsoever for his own purpose or benefit, or to loan any of such funds to any person or corporation whomso- everor whatsoever, or to permit any person or corporation, whomsoeyer or whatsoever to use any If such funds, or to pay or deliver any such funds to any person or corporation. Knowing that he is not entitled to receive ii. or for any such officer to wilfulIy ta1l CT 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 1s4g or 1s50 and all rersons aiding, abetting, advising, assisting or encouraging such violation. shall be deemed guilty ofa felony. and, upon convie- tion thereof shall be punished by imprison ment in the jail and penitentiary house of the state for period of not less than five years. nor more than twenty-one years.
 This was the law when H. A. Me, l Coy defaulted. Notwithstand l ing Maj McCoy's settlement, which does not appear to have been in full, he was subject to an indct- ment for @ felony. The State Stu preme Court has decided that the settlement of dedication is no de- fense at law i1 a criminal procedure. l 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, toned in the present campaign had It not been for his published state nent." Maj Mccoy also says:
 The good democrats of Jefferson county since then have endorsed me ,wice for the office of assessor and ,wice for the office of circuit clerk which should be quite sufficient ev;- lence to satisfy any reasonable per lon on that score.
 But thei good people of Jefferson county have never elected him tc an ,ffice handling any of tho ravan,,oo