The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-07-08
Ex-Treasurer BardsIey Severely
Punished.

Ah4LlDkLfhAAr 1AiE ---Jgul htrls.cF.
ex-Gty Treasurer of Philadelphia. was
brought into court this morning, before
Judge Wilson, TO have sentence passed on
him for the confessed crime of loaning. spec
ulating with and receiving interest on pub
lie funds entrusted 70 his care IS the chief
hduciary Of the municipality.
As on the previous occasions tha. Bard
sley has faced the Court, when he was
brought in this morning he was not placed
in the dock, but was allowed 10 sit beside
his counsel in the space reserved for mem
bers Of the bar
The fact that Bsrdsley would come up for
sentence to-day was not generally known, 50
that when District Attorney Graham rose to
address the court and asked that sentence
be passed on the prisoner, there were not
mere than 80 people in the court room.
The District Attorney spoke but briefly,
but in the course Of his address he denied
Bardley oontention, made in his statement
to the court a week ago, that the ex-Treasu-
rer had not Incorporated a dollar. Mr.
Graham showed that by Bardsley's own
statement he must have at least misapprO-
priated the sum ofS220,0O 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 Bsrds
iey's declaration that he placed S945,0oo in
the Keystone Bank, taking due bills FOR the
money, was true, and that the money was
deposited in the bank Although not able
as yet 10 specifically show where the money
has gone. Mr. Graham said that Bzrdsley's
embezziemeuis would amount 10 between
Si00, 600 and $4,000.
Mr.. Alexander, counsel for Bardsley, re
viewed the statements made By his client.
and appealed TO the court for mercy on the
grouad of Bardsley's plea Of guilty and his
services to the city. Mr.. Alexander said that
Bsrdsley did not get dollar OF the money
he put into the Keystone Bank, and that
within six months il would be shown who
did He yehemently declared that his client
had not stolen dollar, but that he had only
pleaded guilty to the statutory offenses of
loaning, speculating with and receiving in
terest on the public funds. Never with his
consent, said Mr.. Alexander, should Bards-
ley appear before the investigating committe
ofCouncils to testify. but If at any time the
District Attorney desired any information
or assistance, his client was willing 10 aid
him.
While his counsel was speaking Bardsley
sat with bowed head. ne-Yously tracing
imaginary lines with the back Of 9 pen upon
the table before him. With the exception
Of his brother-in-law, not one Of the hun
dreds Of friends that Bardsley had 2 year ago
were present when he arose 10 receive the
sentence Of the court. \ Bardsley got mp
Judge Wilson motioned to him to be seated
while he delivered the lecture and words Of
admonition that Judge usually prefaoes
his sentences with.
Judge Wilson's severe words caused Bards-
ley the most palpabIe distress. When the
Judge spoke Of the past friendship between
himself and the man awaiting his sentence. 4
Bardsiey's hands opened and shut conyul-
sively, his face flushed and paled, and bis
head sank on his breast. As Judge Wilson
proceeded, and plainly said that he could
find no pAlliation for Bardsley's 5 malfeasAnce,
and that his ofisnse was the more open 10
eensure from his abuse Of his official posi-
tiou, the prisoner almost collapsed and seem
ed about to sink to the floor from his chair.
Nevertheless, before Judge Wilson had con-
cluded and ordered him 70 arise and receive
sentence, Bardsley had completely regained
his composure and received the words that
sends him TO prison for 10 years with
stoicism that was almost indifference in its
utter absence of any emotion.
The sentence pronounced by Judge VII
son was that Bardsley undergo Is years
solitary confinement in the Eastern Peniten-
tiary, and that he pay fine in the sum
equal to the amount Of his embezzlement
arising from the transactions TO which hs
had pleaded guilty.
Shortly after sentence had been p7onOunc-
ed Bardsley was remanded TO prison to await
removal TO the Penitentiary.