New-York tribune., 1907-09-10
MORE BROOME CUTTERS
Superintendent of Poor and Gus
todian Back Resign.
[By Telegram TO The Tribune. ]


Binghamton N Y, Sept "a series of pollt-
ical sensations was caused to-day by the an
nouncement that Jasper Smith, Superintendent
of the Poor Of Broome County. had confessed
to irregularities in the poor accounts as a re-
suit of the good roads investigation and to lend
ing money to county officials for their personal
and political use. This was followed by his res
ignation. which presented to the Board OF
Supervisors this afternoon. Among the cred
itors named is County Judge Robert Parsons
The decision of Justice Conan sustaining in
dictments for forgery and grand larceny against
A. w. T. Back. Republican county chairman re-
suited in his bondsmen surrendering him to the
court and an increase OF his bail to $4,000. Up
to 10 o'clock o-night he had been unable to Sc
cure bail. and alternative will be lodged
in Jail. lie rendered his resignation this after
noon to the Board of Supervisors as clerk of
that body custodian OF county buildings and
property and custodian of the good roads. His
resignation was accepted.
Walker F. Sherwood who to-day appoint
ed by Governor Hughes TO succeed County
Treasurer David B. King. has received his com
mission by special messenger and will assume
his duties tomorrow.
1t is stated o-night that other and more SEN
sational disclosures regarding county, officers not
vet implicated will shortly be made.
Albany, Sept. 9-Controller Glynn made pub
lie to-day a confession of misuse Of public funds
by Jasper Smith. County Superintendent of the
Poor with the announcement of Smiths resg-
nation from office. This was followed soon af-
terward by the announcement that Arthur W.
T Back had resigned to-day clerk of the
Board of Supervisors and custodian Of public
buildings and grounds for Broome County
Walker F. Sherwood. of Binghamton. was ap-
cr9n rn q
County Treasurer of Broome County in place of
David b King The Governor was to have
given hearing this afternoon on charges of
malfeasance in office made against King by
Controller GIynn but King forestalled this by
resignfng last Saturday Mr.. Sherwood is
Republican. but has not been identied with any
faction in Rroome County politics. He has been
an accountant in the First National Bank OF
Bingha mtOn.
Smiths confession was made before Lewis h
Rockefeller H. Leroy Austin and Wllllam De'-
erIing expert accountants OF the Coh1rolieI
departnlent who were sent to investigate the
financial affairs Of Broome County. and says III
part:
1,,..- si,ce took Office in July. 1900, have
,,sad the county moneys intrusted to me Tor my
own personal use. and have loaned the safne ~ 20
others of my friends. have loaned l-eI Ia 81
amounts Of county money. probably seNeTtil
thousan nd dollars in ALL to Arthur W l. t'sich
the present clerk Of the Board of supervisors
I have also loaned smaller amounts 10 Lee VI.
CafTerty Robert s. Parsons and others whose
names | do not remember Mr. CaheEty t9iu
me that previous superIntendents had doie tl'lS
and that Il was proper and legal for me 10 loan
the county moneys. as long as l saw that the
same were eventually returned. ana oe'leFeu
him implicitly. -.
An the persons 70 whom I have loaned moneys
Of the county, except Arthur W. T. Back, nave
rerajd said moneys to me. and all money whicn
7 have loaned has been replaced by me per-
tba md Of ca ri
b,, the ones to whom l loaned the same.
Arthur W. T. Back has acted as attorney LOT
me at various times during my term OF office
and has rendered certified bills for his services
| from time to time. Such bills appear as pay
| rnents upon the cash book Of my office, but no
| check would be actually given for the same. the
amount such bills going 10 reduce the amount
| or county funds loaned to Mr.. Back.
Nv accounts for the present year have not
! baen written up. I do not know how my ac-
counts for this year stand. II they are short
| and any money is due the county, as 1t prob
| ably is I will deposit the same in the bank as
| soon as the amount OF such deficiency is deter
| mined.