The Washington times., 1908-10-21
Former Police Clerk Sentenc-
ed to MoundSville Prison
by Justice Gould.
HE PLEADS GUILTY
TO EMBEZZLEMENT
Admits Wrongdoing in But One In
dictment, Covering Theft of
$4,0oo-Leaves Today.

James Arthur Kemp, former police
and property clerk of the Police De-
partment, pleaded guilty to the embez-
element or 5000 police funds today, and
was sentenced to two years in the
Moundsville penitentiary by Justice
Gould, of the Supreme Court Of the Dis
trict.
Haggard and unshaven, the former
Beau Brummel OF the department, trust
ed for twenty years. broke down in
court when his counsel, Attorney sam
uel V. Hayden. pleaded for mercy IN the
name Of the mans mother, who stood
by him during the long wait for trial.
and who furnished the bail money TO
KEEP him out Of Jail.
Kemp refused to acknowledge his
guilt of the tive charges alleging mis-
appropriation of $500 from the funds Of
the PoliCemens Relief Association.
When he arose in answer to the courts
call. he cautioned the clerk TO be sure
that only the one indictment was in
Guided in his admission Of guilt. These
two indictments were dismissed by
United States Attorney Daniel Baker.
1t was on his recommendation that the
light sentence OF two years was given.
Embezzlement Charged
Kemp. who was In absolute charge
Of the funds deposited with the police
in envelopes held as evidence. colle:-
tions from pawn brokers, and property
taken from prisoners, was alleged in
the indictments TO have deposited TO his
own credit numerous checks tor large
amounts during the four years previous
10 the exposure.
When Kemp left The office July 3, 1907,
Major Sylvester had every confidence
in him. The police clerk took the morn
ing train for New York to attend the
races. His absence caused an investi-
cation. and the indictment by the grand
jury followed. Kemp was able to play
the game so long because he tampered
only with the envelopes Of which no
record Of the contents was kept The
books containing the transactions Of
the police department proper. although
frequently examined By the auditor, al
ways balanced. Kemp's good reputa-
ton and the fact that he owned prop
.erty worth about $4,000 quieted any
suspicion that was aroused.
Although the exact amount Kemp is
alleged to have stolen could not be
learned, checks TO the amount OF about
$4,000 were shown - have been deposit
cd in his name One check alone for
&,l0 made out to his order as police
clerk was turned in to his private &C
counts Other amounts down to SOS were
traced, but the number OF petty acts
was never ascertained.
Arrested in New Orleans
When Kemp was arrested while IN
the paddock at a suburban race track
IN New Orleans, he still had a consio-
cradle amount OF money. When he was
returned to Washington, his bail bond
OF $500 was at once furnished By his
mother. Kemp denied any wrong doing
snd prepared for trial A series Of mo-
tions postponed the hearing indefinitely
until a few days ago when his consent
10 plea OF guilty was obtained. In his
plea for leniency, Attorney Hayden pic
tured the faithfulness OF the mother
and her sons devotion to her. and told
The court that he believed Kemp had
been sufficiently punished by the loss
OF his property, worth $1,000, the ruin
OF his reputation and the grief it caused
HIS mother, his wife, and his son.
Although the minimum sentence is
one year and one day, Justice Gould
after summing up the case. said that ne
little enough for crimes that had ex-
tended over such a long period.
After his first collapse Kemp recoy-
cred his COlnpOsure and left the court
an a brisk walk.
United States marShals will leave with
their prisoner for. the MOuudsville pen
itehuaTy late this afternoon