Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1891-09-16
AS MUM AS AN OYSTER.
John Bardsley Refuses to Tes-
tify in Court.
PHILADELPHIA BANKERS GO FREE.

Morally, but Not CriminaIIy, Guilty In
Paying Interest to BardsIey--Ten Years
for the Kennedys.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 16.-Another act |
Of the drama of Bardsleyism was pre-
sented in the common pleas court No l. |
John Bardsley, the convicted ex-city |
treasurer, was the principal actor, and |
some Of Philudelphia's most prominent |
men took part as defendants, witnesses
and on-lookers. The district attorney said |
that he proposed TO call to the attention OF
the court some cases arising out OF the re-
cent troubles, so that the court might
consider them, and If the eviS,nce justi-
fled it that warrants Of arress might be is
sued against the guilty parties
Bardsley's Name Called.
The commonwealth had subpmnaed
Glendenning & Sons, Auditor General
McCamant, William II. Livesey, cashier
in the state treasury, who was not present,
and the officers Of the Farmers and Me
chanics', Third National and Seventh Ma
tional banks, selecting these banks. the
district attorney concluded in which there
could be no question as to knowledge as
to whose money Bardsley was being paid
interest upon. Here the name Of John
Bardsley was called. The clerk offered to
swear him, but he refused. He said;
His Word of No value.
"The public have been taught TO believe
that there is no value in my word what
ever. l have been maligned and l have
got today more than | can bear. Ny self
raQf,aef hntvayar IN xtiAty nf all fbaf hoe
been said and done, will not permit me,
under any circumstances, TO give any tes-
timony in this eourt.n
Judge Fell reminded him that he could
refuse TO answer questions, but he only
| insisted that be would not be sworn. The
district attorney here insisted that he
should be sworn.
As Dumb as an Oyster.
"Mr Bardsley, it is your duty to take
the oath administered to you. You are a
citizen subpenaed here regularly, and it
| is your duty to take the oath The other
matters viii be determined when they are
reached, ? said Judge Gordon.
Bardsley replied, IF your honor says so
will take the oath" Bardsley then took
the oath. When asked do you know
/ Mr.. McCamantg he said Il decline to
answer any questions at all have sim
ply been sworn out of Difference to your
honor because you think it is my duty
After large number Of other questions
had been asked Bardsley-all Of which he
declined to answer-he finally said: II
have declined TO answer any questions.
My mind has irrevocably been made NJ
and no inducements under the circum-
stances can prevail upon me. II is useless
for Mr. Graham TO further distress me. =
Bardsley was then dismissed from the
stand.
Glendennine and HUM Held.
The Glendenning case was next called,
and after lengthy examination Robert
Glendenning aud George H. Huhn, consti-
tuting the firm Of Glendenning & Co.,
were held in $4,000 bail each for court on
the charge of having aided and abetted
Bardsley in his conversion of the public
money. Bail was then entered in their
behalf
The Bank Presidents Go Free.
The cases of the three bank presidents
were then taken up. Mr.. Graham said il
was question in his mind if the presi-
dents could be indicted, as the law of con
spiracy did not cover the case, and he want
ed the opinion from the judges sitting as
TO whether the presidents OF these banks
could be indicted for paying interest Il
submit TO the court" said Mr.. Graham,
that this question as presented in my own
mind is one Of immortality and not OF
criminality, and if the court agrees with
the thought in my own mind should feel
it my duty TO recommend that no further
action be taken and that no warrants be
| issued, feeling that there is not sufficient
in the law Of conspiracy to warrant an ar
rest"
After the court had retired for space
Of ten minutes they returned and read
their opinion, in which they decided that
no action would lie as against the person
paying interest.
Ten Years for the Kennedys.
Francis W., president, and Henry II. Ken
nedy, cashier Of the defnnct Spring Gar
den National bank, who were convicted
recently for wrecking that institution,
were sentenced by Judge Butler this morn
ing to ten years each in the Eastern peni-
tentiary.
Too Many Experts Around.
Tia experts Of the councils committee
investigating the affairs Of John Bardsley
as city treasurer have resumed work on
the books Of the defunct keystone Ma
tional bank, after having been, it is said,
ordered TO stop by the authorities at
| Washington. The reason for their sus-
pension was said to be the belief that
there were too many experts around.
| TeIegraphers MAY AmaIgamate.