The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-07-22
BARDSLEY SENTENCED,
Fifteen Years for Philadel.
phia's Ex-Treasurer.
To Pay a Fine Equal to the
Amount Embezzled,

John Bardsley, ex-City Treasurer of Phil
adelphia, Penn, was taken into court before
Judge Wilson to have sentence passed upon
him for the confessed crimes Of lending,
speculating with, AMI receiving interest on
public funds intrusted to his care as the
Hduciary officer of the municipality. As on
the previous occasions that Bardsley has
faced the court, when he was brought In
that morning he was not placed in the dock,
but was allowed to sit beside his counsel
within the space reserved for members of
the bar.
The fact that Bardsley would come up for
sentence was not generally known, so that
when District Attorney Graham arose to
address the court and ask that sentence be
more than fifty persons in the court
room. The District Attorney spoke
but briefly, but in the course Of his
address he denied Bardsley's con-
tention, made in his statement to the court
O week ago, that the ex-Treasurer had not
lnisappropriated a dollar. Mr.. Graham
showed that by Bardsley's own statement he
must have misappropriated the sum Of at
least S220, 900, as that amount was required
to be made good by his sureties, according
to their bond to the State and city.
Mr.. Graham practically admitted that
Bardsley's declaration that he placed $685.
for the money, was true, and that the money
was deposited in the bank. Although not
able as yet specifically to show where the
money has gone, Mr.. Graham said that
Bardsley's embezzlements would amount to
between s400, 900 and S500,00O
MIR. Alexander, counsel for Bardsley. re-
viewed the statements made by his client,
and appealed to the court for mercy on the
ground Of Bardsleys plea Of guilty and his
past services to the city. Mr.. Alexander
said that Bardsley did not get dollar Of the
money he put in to the Keystone Bank, and
that within six months it would be shown
who did.
While his counsel had bean speaking,
Bardsley had sat with bowed head, nerv.
ously tracing imaginary lines with the back
of his pen upon the table before him. With
the exception of his brother-in-law, not one
Of the hundreds Of friends that Bardsley had
year ago was present when he arose to re-
ceive the sentence Of the court.
As Bardsley got up, Judge Wilson mo-
toned him to be seated while ne delivered
the lecture and words of admonition that
Judge usually prefaces his sentences with.
Judge Wilson's severe words caused Bard
sley the most palpable distress. When Judge
Wilson spoke Of the past friendship be-
tween himself and the man awaiting his
sentence Bardsley's hands opened and
shut convulsively, his face flushed and paled,
and his head sank upon his breast. As Judge
Wilson proceeded and plainly said that ne
could find no palliation for Bardsley's NAL
feasance, and that his offense was the more
open to censure from his abuse Of his
official position, the prisoner almost col
lapsed and seemed about to sink to the
floor from his chair. Nevertheless, before
Judge Wilson had concluded and ordered
him to rise to receive sentence, Bardsley had
completely re2ained his composure and re-
ceived the words that send him to prison
for fifteen years with apparent stoicism.
The sentence Of Judge Wilson was that
Bardsley undergo fifteen years solitary con.
finement in the Eastern Penitentiary, and
that he pay a fine in the sum Of S237, $50,
equal to the amount Of his embezzlement
arising from the transactions to which he
had pleaded guilty.
District Attorney Graham places the de-
felt at s553, ,8S533, which Is S3S, 600 more
than Bardsey admitted in his own state
ment. This amount will be reduced by pay
ments to be made by his sureties, so the
amount of the fine will not be determined
until after the examination Of the accounts
shall be finished.
Bardsley returned to Moyamensing Prison
that afternoon, and it was expected that he
would be taken to the Eastern Penitentiary
next day, where he will be shaved OF his
beard and be given a striped suit, and there.
after be known bv number.