Omaha daily bee., 1891-05-30
BARDsLEY ARR4IGNED.
Preliminary Trial of PhiladclpNia's
Embczzling Treasurer.

Embczzling Treasurer.
PHILADELPHIA, May 29.-John Bardsloy,
city treasurer of Philadelphia, was ar
raigned in court today to answer TO the triple
charge of misappropriating $4,000 of city
money, the embezzlement of $40, 900 ana up
wards of state funds, and perjury IN violat-
ing his oath of Office by loaning city money
out at interest.
The district attorney said the books of the
tredsurers Office showed balance in the
keystone bank of 100000, while in fact
there was only 100000 there. In the cash
drawer of the treasurcr's desk were checks
| on the Keystone for $!0O0O0 These BardS-
ley took to Bank Examiner Drew and asked
to have placed to his credit in the keystone.
A similar state of affairs was shown in re-
gard to money belonging to tue city.
After several other witnesses were called
District Attorney Graham said that he now
| asked that the prisoner be held on the specific
charge of misapproprating $4,000 Mr..
Graham said that although he did not intend
to try to prove that the money went INTO Mr..
Bardslcy's pocket, still it was clearly con-
version to his own use.
Mr.. Alexander, counsel for Mr.. Bardsley,
contended that it had not been shown that
his client had converted the money TO his
own use
Magistrate Pece decided that the case had
been proven and said he would fix the
amount of bail later. Mr. Graham next
took up the charge Of the embezzlement of
the state fund.
Lawrence Brown, accountant, testified
that in the past three years Bardsley had
collected taxes for the state amounting to
$i402, SS7. This was deposited in a number
of banks, but the keystone bank was not
among them. Mr.. Graham said he proposed
to prove that Bardsley had loaned the state
funds out at interest to number of banks
and bankers, among which were DreXel q
Co and the Keystone bank. Mr.. Graham
said that it was clear that Bardsley had
Withdrawn the state funds from other banks
and deposited them in the Keystone to re-
ceive the interest.
Counsel for Mr.. Bardsley said that it was
true that his client had deposited $945, 900 of
state money in the Keystone bank, taken
due bills for thon, received interest on them
and when the bank failed lost his money as
any other dcpositor would have done. Mr.,
Graham asked if Mr.. Bardsley was willing to
make his statement himself and was told that
he was.
Mr. Bardsley arose from his chair, tottered
to the witness stand and IN trembling voice
said: II add that all my counsel has said is
true. did put the money in the keystone
bank and will have to take what the law
gives me. got as high as per cent in
terest for the money deposited the money
and took due bills for 1t, as is done every
day, and when the bank failed | lost the
money. paid it either to President Marsh,
Cashier Hayes or Assistant Cashier Law
renee" In answer to tho question whether
he received interest from any other banks,
toned the Spring Garden District At
torney Graham attempted to get hin To tell
what other banks paid him interest, but did
not succeed
Edward T. Stolesb berry, member of the
firm of DreXel & Co., was callel and testi-
fled that Bardsley came to this firm and
asked what interests they would pay on de-
posits, He was told per cent interest on
four checks OF $1,000 each that he deposited
there at different times.
Mr. Alexander said that ct this stage of tho
case he did not proposed that any one else
should be iucriminated. But after it had
been testified tina. Mr. Bardsley kept per-
S onal account in the Seventh National. the
Manufacturers National, the Chestnut Street
National, the Peoples National and the
Farmers and Mechanics National. Mr..
Alexander held a consultation with his client
and decided that he should tell the names of
the banks that paid him interest Mr. Bard
sley again took the stand and said that he
had been paid interest by the above named
with the exception OF tho Farmers and Me
chanicS.
At this point the district attorney rested
his case and said that as he was unable to
prove today tho charge of perjury, he asked
that it be continued until June II. Bail was
fixed at $4,000 on the charge of misappro-
priution OF city funds, s35,OOj on the charge
of embezzliug state funds and 5000 on the
charge of perjury 1t is not expected that
MIR. Bardsley will be able to obtain bail.
After the hearing MIR Bardsley was taken
sci notified Chief Detective Wood that he
did not expect to secure bail, and arrange
ments were at once made to take him down
to prison. After an interview with his coun-
sci Mr. BardSley was placed in n carriage
and taken to Moyamensing prison.
During the time which Bardsey spent at
the city hail this morning prior to the hear
ing the accused city treasurer remained in
the private office of Chief Detective Wood in
charge of two detectives. He was very
much detected and was not inclined at first
to talk about the serious charges which have
been preferred against him He subsc-
4uently said that his position was hard to
bear, and then turning suddenly to the OIL.
GERS, remarked; 81 tell you, gentlemen |
have been in hi for the past six months |
thought that things would come out all right,
but they did not and | am glad that the
thing is ended President Marsh's action is
great disappointment to me He should
have been mere courageous and remained in
town, but ae uas proven himself II coward by
running way. ! never had a thought about
going away. but will remain where am and
accept whatever punishment the law places