The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-30
John Bardsley Kept City Funds in
the Banks That Went
Under.
He Also Collected Interest in vio-
latiOn Of His Oath of
Office.
ana NOW He Is on the Rack-He Saws H.
IL willing to Pay tho
Penalty.

PHILADELPHIA, May 29.-John Bardsley,
city treasurer of Philadelphia, was arriQned
IN court to-day to answer the triple charges
OF misappropriating $39, 900 of city money.
the embezzlement of $4O0, 600 and upwards
of state funds, and perjury in violating hiu
oath OF office by loaning city money out al
interest. The district attorney said the
books of the treasurer's Office showed q
balance in the Keystone bunk of 5000, 900,
while in fact there was only $4OO,OOO there.
In the cash drawer of the trensurer's desk
were checks on the Keystone for SOC, 200.
These Bardsley took to Bank Examiner
Drew and asked to have placed to his credit
in the Keystone. similar state of affairs
was shown in regard to money belonging to
the citv. District Attorney Graham asked
that Bardsley be held on the cha rge
OF misappropriatinR city funds,
and the magistrate agreed that
the state funds matter be then taken up.
and 1T was shown that Bardsley had loaned
out state funds at interest to number of
bankers. Bardsley himself took the stand
and said: did put money in the Keystone
bank and will have to take what the law
gives me. got as high as four per cent.
interest for the money. I deposited the
money and ok due bills for it, as is done
every day, and when the bank failed l lost
the money" After it had been testified to
that Bardsley kept private account in the
Seventh National, Manufacturers National,
Chestnut Street National, Peoples Nation
al and Farmers' and Mechanics National,
Alexander held a consultation with his
client and decided that he should tell the
names of the banks that paid him interest.
Bardsley said he had been paid iutere 1t by
all above named banks except the Farmers
and Mechanics,
1he district attorney rested the case, and
SAID as he was unable to prove to-day the
charge of perjury, he nsked that it be CON
tlnued until June. Bail was fixed at Sic. 900
on the charge of perjury: 1t is not expected
ahat Bardsley will be able to obtain bail.
Bardsley, talking with detectives, said: II
tell yon, gentlemen. have been in hell for
the past six months. thought things
would come out all right. but they did not,
and am glad the thing is ended. Presi-
dent Marsn's action has been great disap-
pointment to me. He should have be en-
more courageous and remained in town.
but he has proven himself q coward by run
nlng away. never thought about going
away, but will remain where l am, and ac-
cept whatever punishment the law places
upon me"
The subcommittee of the finance COM
mlttee of the city council, which has been
investigating City Treasurer Bardsley's ac-
counts aud financial dealings, resumed
work this afternoon. George Hum, of the
stock brokerage firm of Glendenning G Co.,
produced the books of the firm and me NOR
anda showing that III 1890 Bardsey pur-
chased stocks aggreQating in cost $45O'OO0,
From April 8, 1880, to February %, 1891, the
firm borrowed from Bardsley the
enormous sum of 1922, 900. All Of thi 8
money, according to the books of the firm,
has been repaid.