The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1916-04-06

water from one to five years by
Judge Dickson.
Under the Minnesota laws Wal
ter ]. Smith is eligible to parole
after he has been in prison one
year. He is eligible to pardon,
however, at any time. That his
case would be presented to the
pardon board within a short time
was strongly limited by his attOr-
neys today. 1t was said the pro-
spective pardon plea would be
based on the contention that
Smith already had been sufficient
ly punished and that complete
restitution of funds taken from
the state had been made.
St. Paul, April 4.-Walter j. Smith,
former state treasurer Of Minnesota,
today pleaded. guilty to a charge of
second degree grand larceny and was
sentenced to serve an indeterminate
term of not less than one year nor
more than five years in the state pen
itentiary at Saltwater. His crime was
the misrepresentation of $4,000 of
state school funds by means of forg-
ed Aitkin county school district war;
rant.
1t was with bowed head and quiv-
ering lip that Smith heard District
Judge F. N. Dickson of the Ramsey
county district court pronounce SEN
tence. A moment later, however, he
had recovered his composure, his
shoulders Strengthened and he walked
back from the judges bench to the
seats inside the courtroom rail where
his wife, his daughter, Marcella, and
his relatives sat. A stay of one week
was granted to give Smith time to ar
range his business affairs before en-
tering the prison.
Smith was called for trial today up
on an indictment charging him with
first degree grand larceny. The plea
to a lesser charge was accepted by the
state because all money obtained by
Smith through his populations in the
state treasurer's office was made
good.
Despite this stay, Smith was taken
Immediately to the Ramsey county
Jail, where he will probably remain
until he goes to Saltwater. Sitting be-
side his wife and daughter in the jail
reception room he made a brief state.
ment for publication.
II wish you'd thank my friends fol-.
standing by me in my troubles" he
said. 81 wish to thank the press, too.
The newspapers treated me very de-
Gently. In considering my case want
the people to realize the state has not
lost cent through any transaction of
mine. l will take my medicine and J
am glad it's all over"
There were three first degree grand
larceny indictments against Smith,
They were based on shortages total
ing $2S,962 in state school funds, COW
cred by forged school district war
rants, accidentally discovered Feb. Z
Today's action was on only one of the
indictments.
Smith, accompanied by his attor'
news, Thomas r. Kane of st. Paul anc
Victor L. Power, mayor of Hibbing
entered Judge Dickson's courtroom al
1890 a. m. today.
The court clerk turned to Smith ant
asked if he withdrew his former pela
EYES," said the former treasurer.
"Do you, Walter j. Smith, plead
guilty to grand larceny in the SECOND
degree?" came the monotones of tn
clerk.
eyes," almost whispered the de
PENDANT, his eyes fixed on the floor.
To the usual questions put by tn
court, Smith replied that his hom
was in Eveleth; that he was born il
Kansan in 1870; that his mother wa
living; that he had wife and on
daughter; that before becoming stat
treasurer he had been engaged in tn
banking business in Eveleth and othe