The sun., 1891-07-11
Did Bardsley Tell the Truth In
These IntervieWs7
An ASTOUNDING STATE OF AFFAIRS.
He Pronounces Wanamaker "Know-
ingIy Guilty" Of Fraud.

8rOunds OF POLICY - wnnnmnkcr'0 Ale
legged Method or borrowing from the
Keystone and HIS Relations with Marsh
-Bardsley's Complaints OF tho Way
Editors Mcclure and Sinserly Deserted
Him After Having Been His Friends In
Alleged Denls-Quay, MARTIN. Kemble,
and Others Mentioned In tho Recitsl-
Bardsley Wanted, - Judge InauonceA
and Thought the District Attorney
Should DO Something for 1Iim-Revs
citations OF Yestcrdny's Session or the
Iuvestigating Commlttee
PHILADELPHIA July 10.-The committee that
Is inauirinR into the failure OF tho Keystone
National Bank and the affairs Of ex- City Treas
urer John Bardsley held a protracted session
this afternoon. The main witnesses we're Rob.
ert NJ. McWade city editor Of the Public Ledger:
WiliamV. Mexican. editor-in- chief OF tho same
newspaper. and Postmaster General Wana.
maker. The testimony Of Mr.. McWade and
Mr.. MoKean had reference to two statements
obtained by the formor from Bardsley ON
June IS and 49, four days before tho
accused City Treasurer made his public
statement in court whom brought up for sen.
tence. Mr.. Wanamaker alter denying en-.
phatioally statements made by Bardsley to Mr..
McWade which reflected on Mr.. Wan6maker's
troubles, explained his connection with the
2G25 shares OF Keystone Bank stock which the
stubs in the cert iflcate book showed had been
issued in his name.
Mr.. McWade was the first witnoss. He said
that he had been intimately acquainted with
Bardsey for nearly twenty years. and went to
the county prison on Thursday. June 1S. hav-
ing first through another person obtained
Bardsley's consent for the visit. Bardsley
view was for publication. MIR. McWade wrote
out the conversation In his Office while 1t was
fresh in his memory he told Bardsley at the
beginning that. in view Of certain charges that
had been made in the newspapers. he thought
it proper for him to make full statement,
particularly as to what had become OF the
$945.OOO which had disappeared. After Mr..
McWade had written out the FIRST statement
he said q consultation was held between Mr..
Mexican. himself, and another member OF the
editorial force Of the LEDGER. ana 1t was de.
cided not to publishit
Committeeman Hcks-Why was It decided
not to use it2
Mr.. McWade-Because strong reference un.
supported by facts. was made TO certain peo.
pie. Bardsley In both statements made use OF
hearsay remarks.
Mr.. MoKean said that as editor OF the Ledoer
he had charge Of the interview which Mr.. Mo.
Wade had obtained. Because the statement
implicated a number Of reputable citizens
upon the testimony OF q witness not credible
It was decided that It was not proper to pub.
lish It It was locked up in the office safe. and.
SO far as he knew. had never been out OF the
Ledger Office. No member OF the committee
had ever seen 1t.
Mr.. Mexican then submitted the first intsrs
view and Mr.. MoWade the second to the com.
mittee. both being scaled in envelopes Com.
mitteeman Ettfng moved that they be read,
Committeeman Hicks moved to amend thas
the committee first go into executive session.
but Mr. Etting opposed. saying that any man
who might be traduced in the papers could
appear before the committee and state facts
that will clear him. 1t was decided BY Q vote
OF to to listen to the public reading OF the
statements. Much that Bardsley told to Mr..
McWade was afterward incorporated in the
statement he read in court when called up for
sentence June 23. and which has already been
published, In the first interview Bardsley saids
Il have made every restitutio in my power.
As for the 100000 which is said to be missing
can and will account. so far as myself am
concerned for every dollar OF 1t. as we'll as for
every cent that has been said or charged to
have gone astray. will do this In spite OF the
fact that the authorities. whom was lying
sick. broke open my desk and coniiscated my
memoranda which they found there. But the
man Marsh. who could tell the most. the man
who could explain everything. the man who
could tell all about where that 100000 has
gone. has suddenly disappeared. He has gone
of like coward. despite his protestations that
he would stand by me 10 the end.
But . few days before lie left he called on
me and We had brief conversation on the
subject Of facing the consequenoes OF what
had been done. He said to mo: MI. Bards-
Icy. would 60 away somewhere. but 1t would
not be manly to desert you In your extremity.
alone can explain all about the money that
IL missing. and all about your deposits and
whore they went. fear however. that when
my trial is over will be sentenced to nearly
100 years In prison. How ON earth could you
get q Bentencel' l asked him. adding. you
know u at all your crimes won't Gust you
more than several yeRrs In prison at
the utmost Ithen showed him how foolish
1t would be to run away. / told him that no
matter whore he went he would always be sus-
picious Of every one no met. and that his life
would be torture TO him; that he could never
return to this country; and that being young
man yet. bis i'm prisonment would in time bs
over and he would still be able to beg n the
battle OF life anew. He mystiHed me then by
the remark that ! did not know ALL Heaven
help mel little knew then the meaning OF his
words, but too we'll did know 1t afterward. I Z
questioned him about what wa, done with that .
5000. 900, and he eooly answered that he did
not know where 1t waa / exclaimed. excitedly.
Ny Col: you must surely know what you did
with Il; whore is it' He replied, i don't know.
I tel you; whore 1t IA. or what did with IT,
Marsh told me three or four days before the
last hearing before the United Sta Oh Commits.
sioneE that he was going to take run over to
New York for aday l wanted to know what
and was given TO under tand that he had some
family frien is over there and hnd come bust
knows how Marsh failed to- turn up at the
hearing, and how he redeemed
his pledge to stand by me to the end"
DREW SAID TO BE A BORROWER
How was It that Bank Examiner Drew did
not discover the banks condition earlier than