Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-06-25
BARDSLEY'S FALL.
A Suooinct Account Of Philadel-
phia's Big Scandal,
How Honest John" Robbed the
City and State of an Immense
Sum Sentence Deferred.
BARDsLEY MAKES A STATEMENT.

BARDSLEY MAKES A STATEMENT.
PHILADELPHIA, June pa - Ex-City
Treasurer Bardsley, who was to have
been sentenced for embezzhng public
funds, has been granted slight re-
prieve. Contrary to general expecta-
ton the court decided to postpone pro-
nouncing sentence until an opportunity
could be given for the introduction of
new tie ,timony in the case.
Bardsley was called 10 the stand be-
fore this action was taken and read
statement defending his course and
presenting a great array of figures.
which showed his deficiency to lie only
$50, S22. 81, which he claims Is fully COW
cred by his assignment He as
serts that the missing $1,000, 900
was depcsiRd in the Keystone national
bank. lie Said he knew nothing of
Postmaster General Wanamalzers tran
sactioRs with the Keystone bank,
nor did he have any dealings with
that gentleman. He had NO thought of
leaving the city with fugitive Bank
President Marsh, for if he had done
anything against the law he was
wiling to stand the consequences.
He decl AIRED positively that he had
deposited $4,000 of the states
money in the keystone bank, and
that it had been testified to that the sig
natures on the due-bills received from
this amount were genuine. He scored
Bank Examiner Drew. charging that
he was a borrower from the keystone
bank and knew it was insolvent, but
hid his knowledge from him (Bardsley)
or he would have been able to get
some of the money out before the
crash came. He denied that he had
been several times with Marsh in
Washington. He admitted that some of
his transactions were made through III.
II. Yard, recently indicted for COM
plicity with him, and said he was ready
and willing to assist the city in any
suit against him.
According to Bardsley's statement
hie present plight may be accounted for
by trusting too mach in the statements
of others, and can be epitomized in his
own words on telling the history of his
deposits in the keystone bank: II did
not get the money, and | have
never gotten any part of it, and
it is still in the bank, or should be
there. ! knew that the closing of the
bank meant great loss to the city and
state and personal destruction to my
self | therefore made every effort to
sustain the bank, and its closing has
resulted in my absolute ruin
He closed by calling attention to the
fact that he was q ruined man in name
and financially, having made all the
reparation in his power and
also assigned all his property for
the benefit of his creditors. In reali-
ty neither the city nor state would
lose any money. His last words were:
What more can 1 DOR Bardsley
broke down completely twice during
the reading and once his counsel had to
take his place, when he referred to his
family and the ruin of his character
and fortune.
T"Honest john Bardsley was literally
tower OF strength in Philadeiphia's business
and political circles Never regarded as a veyr
rich man he was looked upon as a man of ster.
ling strength of character, of such indomitable
honesty Of purpose and action, that the reyela-
was positively Supplying. He was elected city
treaurer in 1883, ana his bondsmen were the
well-known Philadelphia manufacturers John
and James Dobson. The latter
have signifed their readiness to
make good their sureties - for
the city 100000 and for the state $4,000 For
years prior to his election Bardsley had been
chairman Of the finance committee of several
city councils, and as such was called upon to
practically fix the citys tax rate. because OF
his ever being on the side of economy re.
trenchment and the proper government OF mu-
nicipal affairs
In December last, as result OF the financial
disturbances that for time convulsed the bus.
mess centers OF the world. there was a run on
the keystone national bank, OF Philadelphia.
This bank was built up by John C. Lucas,
who died in 1888, and it had gathered to
itself a lucrative business and enioyed
the distinction of being one of the
so called active banks designated by or
dinance OF council as a depository Of CITY and
state money An active bank means one
selected to receive the daily deposits from the
city treasurer, and generally TO receive on
deposit and supply the running cash of
the city's business. The law authorizes
such banks to keep deposit at one
time OF the clty's money $4,000 When
the run began upon the bank il was found that
Mr.. Bardsley had nearly 5000, 600 Of city money
on deposit Iuere, OF lJSelI not q very serious
traLsgression. but it caused comment and criti-
cism, and out Of this lapse from strict adher-
ence to the law by Honest John grew the
pressure that finally pricked the bubble and
laid bare the fraud.
Investigation was begun and Comptroller OF
the Currency Lacey placed Bank Examiner
Drew in charge Of the bank. II is now in a re-
ceivers hands. The Investigations proved that
the be-k had been Quilted" John c. Lucas.
the predecessor Of Gideon W. Marsh mad died
a defaulter TO the extent Of s925-
600 1t was found that the stealing
had been going on for eleven years. and that
Marsh had been guilty Of forgery, perjury. fal.
sincation OF the bank accounts and oyer-issu.
ing Of stock. in all Of which Assistant Cashier
Lawrence participated. Both were arrested
and placed under pail Marsh skipped and Is
aow Fugitive from justice. with a price upon
his head
1t was then developed that Bardsley had.
in Ms own name, deposited $4,000 OF state
funds in the institution and had nothing to
show for it but the banks worthless due bills.
The Spring Garden national bank also pat
ronized by Bsrdsley failed too and
its president and cashier we're arrested.
he former low beir- in prison. II