The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14
COOPER IS SHORT
 IN HIS ACCOUNTS Baldwin Tax Collector Is Due the State S3465.82 CLAIMS MONEY IS STOLEN States Expenses Are Greater Than Income by $32, .2s-Jefferson
 County Books Are in
 Fine Shape.
CLAIMS MONEY IS STOLEN

Montgomery, March 13-(Special)- After two examinations of the books of Tax Collector H. H. Cooper of Baldwin county, State Examiner Purifoy has re- ported him short with the state the sum of $3465.S2. The first report found him due $2147.o9 more than this, but he paid the latter sum during the first days of this month. The money said to be due the state was for collections in October and November. This amount, MT. Cooper says was stolen from his safe some time between November 30 and December ?.
 The books of Mr. Cooper were known to be out of line for some time. The state law requires that all collections shall be reported to the auditor by the third of each month and that remittance be made by the eighth. This was not done by Mr. Cooper and as result an examiner was sent to go over his books. At first an attempt was made to get the matter adjusted, friends of MT. Cooper feeling that he would be able to make a clean showing. For that reason the eX aminer was sent back second time. However, the amount seems to have been beyond the power of the officer to meet, so the reputed shortage was sent to the auditor for collection.
 Demand was made at once upon MT. Cooper by Auditor Brandon. At the same time the company which made his bond was notified. Later the soncitor of the circuit was told and now the matter is out of the hands of the examiner and up to the officers of the court and the state. The bond company has asked that nothing be done until the accounts are fsha rod hNy itC nv mir vii delay forced collection several days.
 MT. Cooper is one of the best known men in the state and has many friends in his own county. There is much sym pathy for him and every effort will be made to get him out of the trouble
 States Expenses.
 The report of the state auditor for the year ending September 30 last, which was sent to the printer November 1 last, has just been delivered. It shows that the receipts of the state for the year were less than the disbursements by $32 S75.2S. The total receipts were $3,975,- s. balance from year before $1,S14, 45S37 warrants returned $13,00O, total re- sources for the year $5,S02, ,907T0.
 The expenses were $4,00S,3 ,3296l, which was, as noted above, more than the re- ceipts by $32,S75.2S. This deficit is ex- plained by the two sessions of the legis- l2ture which cost the state $lO4, boSbf. UT this amount $92 ,S6S.0S was for the work of the sessions proper and the rest for special committee work, as follows: Code, $60752O; municipal code, $1,9Sl40; insane hospital, $2435.44; fertilizer, $12709S. Visits to the Boys Industrial school and the old soldiers home made up the balance, s3757.
 Temperance Delegates.
 The following have been appointed by Gov. B. B. Conner to attend in behalf of the state, the worlds temperance con gress at Saratoga, N. Y., June 14 to 30: A. H. Carmichael Tuscumbia; John A. Lusk, Guntersvlle; c. Ballard. Prattville; w. D. Seed and w. B. Crumpton Mont gomery; A. J. Dickinson and Walter Sessions, Birmingham.
 books All Right.
 Examiner Brooks has reported the books of the officers of Jefferson county in fine shape. Former Sheriff Burgin was due $225O and Sheriff Higdon $3.95. All the others had clear record.
 For Vaudeville.
 Jake Wells Is preparing to put on vau-- deville in one of the two vacant houses he controls here. He spent much of Fri day in the city with Manager Neal look ing over the ground, MT. Wells has be- gun work on a new house at Atlanta and will soon begin building at Mobile, where he has made contract.