Omaha daily bee., 1891-05-30
BARDSLEY WE'D.
Preliminary Trial of Philndclphia's
Embezzling Treasurer.

Embezzling Treasurer.
PHILADELPHIA, May 29,-,Iohn Bardsley,
city treasurer of Philadelphia was ar
| raigncd in court today to answer TO the triple
charge of misappropriatiug $4,000 of city
money, the embezzlement of $40 900 ana up
wards of state fuads, and perjury III violat-
| ing his oath of Office by loaning city money
| out at interest.
| The district attorney said the books OF the
! tre1surers Office showed balance in the
| keystone bank of S600,O00, while in fact
| there was only SIOD 600 there In the cash
| drawer of tine treasurCr's desk were checks
| On the keystone for 100000. These Bards-
| ley took to Bank Examiner Drew and asked
| to have placed to his credit in the Keystone
| similar state of affairs was shown in re-
gard to money belonging to tue city.
After several other witnesses were called
District Attorney Graham said that he now
asked that the prisoner be held on the specific
charge of misappropriating $4,000. Mr.
Graham said that although he did not intend
to try to prove that the money went INTO MIR.
Bardslcy's pocket, still 1t was clearly a con-
version to his own use.
Mr.. Alexander, counsel for Mr. Bardscy,
contended that it had not been shown that
his client had converted the money to his
own use
Magistrate Pecle decided that the case had
been proven and said he would fix the
amount of bail later. Mr.. Graham next
took up the charge Of the embezzlement of
Lawrence Brown, accountant, testified
that in the past three years Bnrdsley had
collected taxes for the state amounting to
81, 402, SS7. This was deposited in number
of banks, but the keystone bank was not
among them. Mr.. Graham said he proposed
to prove that Bardsley had loaned the state
funds out at interest to number of banks
and bankers among which were DreXel &
Co and the Keystone bank. Mr.. Graham
said that it was clear that Bardsley had
Withdrawn the state funds from other banks
and deposited them in the keystone to re-
ceive the interest.
Counsel for Mr.. Bardsley said that it was
true that his client had deposited $945, 900 of
state money in the keystone bank, taken
due bills for thom, received interest on them
and when the bank failed lost his money as
any other dcpositor would have done Mr..
Graham asked if Mr.. Bardsey was willing to
make his statement himself and was told that
he was.
Mr. Bardsley arose from his chair, tottered
to the witness stand and ID n trembling voice
said: ~ add that all my counsel has said is
true. did put the money in the keystone
bank and will have to take what tho law
gives me- | got as high as per cent in
terest for the money. deposited the money
and took due bills for IT, as is done every
day, and when the bank failed | lost the
money. paid it either to President Marsh,
Cashier Hayes or Assistant Cashier Law
renee" In answer to tho question whether
he received interest from any other banks,
Mr.. Bardsley said that he did, but only men
toned the Spring Garden. District At
torney Graham attempted to get him to tell
what other banks paid him interest, but did
not succeed.
Edward It. Stolesberry, member of the
firm of DreXel & Co, was caleI and teSti-
fed that Bardsley came to this firm and
asked what interests they would pay on de-
posits. He was told per cent interest on
four checks of $1,000 each that he deposited
there at different times.
Mr. ftn1, nil hat f,tt &c aNFt t,f,
case he did not proposed that any one else
should be incriminated But after it had
been testified tina. Mr. Bardsley kept a per-
s onal account in the Seventh National. the
Manufacturers National, the Chestnut Street
National. the Peoples National and the
Farmers and Mechanics National Mr.
Alexander held consultation with his client
and decided that he should tell the names of
the banks that paid him interest. Mr. Bard
sley again took the stand and said that he
had been paid interest by the above named
with the exception of tho Farmers and Me
chanics
At this point the district attorney rested
his case and said that as he was unable TO
prove today the charge of perjury, he asked
that it be continued until June II. Bail was
fixed at $4,000 on the charge Of misappro-
printion OF city funds, $4,000 on the charge
of embez2lug state funds and 81, ,OCO on the
charge of perjury. 1t is not expected that
Mr.. Bardsley will be able to obtain bail
After the hearing Mr. Bardsley was taken
into the magistrates private office. His coun,
sci notified Chief Detective Wood that he
did not expect to secure ball. and arrange
ments were at once made to take him down
to prison. After an interview with his coun-
sci Mr. Bardsley was placed in carriage
and taken to Moyamensing prison.
During the time which Bardsley spent at
the city hail this morning prior TO the hear
ing the accused city treasurer remained in
the private Office of Chief Detective Wood in
charge of two detectives. He was very
much detected and was not inclined at first
to talk about the serious charges which have
been preferred against him. He subse-
4uently said that his position was hard to
bear, and then turning suddenly to tine OH.
GERS, remarked; 81 tell you, gentlemen,
have been in hi for the past six months.
thought that things would come out all right,
but they did not and / am glad that the
thing is ended. President Marsh's action is
n great disappointment to me. He should
have been more courageous and remained in
town, but he has proven himself IA coward by
running away. | never had "A thought about
going away, but will remain where am and
accept whatever punishment the law places
upon me.n