New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-20
AUDI1oR-GENER mCAMANrE EXAMINED
TBsTIFYING AS TO BARDsLEY's SHORTCOMINGS
HE DENIES THAT THERE WAS ANY AR
RANGEMENT WITH TIE pEFAUITHR.

TBsTIFYING AS TO BARDsLEY's SHORTCOMINGS
HE DENIES THAT THERE WAS ANY AR
RANGEMENT WITH THE DEFAUITER.
Harrisburg, Penn. Sept 1o-At this mornings ses-
sion of the Legislative Committee investigating the
affairs and methods Of the State Treasures and Audi
torGeneral's offices, AudtorGeDeral McCamant was
subject to a rigid examination. After outlining in
general way the duties Of the AudltorGenera and the
methods of conducting the business of the department
Mr.. Fow, member Of the committee, propOunded
questions to the AuditOrGenel relative 10
the Bardsley scandal. In answer TO question as 10
why BaTdsley had been permitted TO retain liquor
license money long after ii due the state, the
Audtor-General sold that he had frequently pressed
Bardsey for settlement, but had been put of with all
manner OF excuses from time 30 time. Bardsey was
told that he would get into trouble unless he paid up
Scarcely week passed, said the witness, without a
demand being made for the money due the state
Bardsley finally became indignant and declared the
state funds TO be perfectly safe, and that there was no
occasion for alarm.
Mr.. McCamant then showed from his report how
Bsrdsley had paid in instruments certain sums. More
time, BardSey explained, asked by the banks in
which funds deposited, owing to the stnngency
i'm the money market. Last March, the AuditorGen-
eral said. letter received from Bardsley, prom
iing to pay $4,000 the following week, and con-
tinue weekly payments thereafter until the full
amount due paid IN On May Bardsley wrote
that he was waiting to have good large amount
10 forward, and a few days later came $4,000, the
balance due on account Of brewers licenses. En-
tracts from letters read IN confirmation OF these
statements. Meanwhile, continued Mr. McCamant,
a committee of the Legislature at work on the
matter, and a letter from Bsrdsley asking that
the committee be assured that he would pay all be-
fore June /, 1891.
The AuditorGeneraI denied emphstically that he
had any knowledge of Bardsley collecting state taxes
and holding the money in banks for his own purposes
and benefit. lie explained that the state Treasurer
frequently received large Temittances without an
itemized record to the particular class OF tax II
came from. He stated most emphatically that there
was no arrangement between BardSley and himself
regarding state funds, nor between Bardsey and any
agent of his and he had derived political or per
sonal gain
At this point the committee went into executive
session TO consider the packet of letters that passed
between Bardsley and Mr.. McC@mant and state Cashier
Livesey, submitted by DistTictAttorney Graham OF
Philadelphia.
When the committee returned a letter bearing the
signature of the Auditor General dated September 3,
1885, was read, asking BaTdsley for 100000, as the
State Treasurer Is little pressed and this will help
him out letter from Cashier Hvesey, dated No
vember 26, 1882 told BaIdsey that he need send only
$25 .OOO and allow the rest to remain until Decem-
ber and there would then be no necessity for with
drawing from the Peoples Bank Of Philadelphia until
"A had finished paving its interest accounts. Mr. Nc
Camant said he did not know anything about this
letter but said the penmanshlp looked like Lvesey s.
He said further that he did not compel Bardslcy to
make full returns because Captain Hart, the former
state Treasurer said he would take charge or the
matter
Mr. McCamant then gave the figures OF Bardsley's
deficiencies and payments for the several years as they
have been published He referred TO the act OF 1911
which gives the states accounting officers the right to
allow time for settlements, providing interest and all
are maid within seven years. Regarding the letters
Of thanks to Bardsey for kndneSses etc. at various
times he said that several occasions Mr. Bardsley
had made purchases of necwear handlerchiefs books
ETC. for him and these were simply Acknowledgements
Of the favors lie said further that under the law of
ISL BaIsey had received extension Of time, owing
10 the stringent money market
Letters from Livesey presented which seemed to
fer Ia tran sections between him and Bardslcy, but the
AuditOr( enertl nothing about this cOrres p0Nehct
He said neither Livescy any agent OF baf sltl hau
ever sv,n him money In any shape, and That there was
no agreement of any sort Mr.. FOW Insisted upon ire
letters being made part Of the records. lie ctealc1
thev showed conspiracy on the part OF LlNeseA ana
Ba,ylsev to defaud the state. cop 81 t!G lctl''
was furnished tic Attorney General. Who VIII be re
ouestcd to furnish them to the cOmmitt, ~ ~ nv
noeting september 2S, I'm this city Az that meeting
Johu h Glenn. Corporation Clerk. ana County Cl;f"
MYERS of the Auditor Generals department a. wei as
the Auditor. General himself will be further examined