New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-30
A BIG CITYS EMPTY CASH BOX.
PHILADELPHIA TREASURY STOPS PAYMENT
PENDING CHANGE OF OFFICERS.
Ex-TREAsURER BARDsLEY ARRAIGNED FOR EN-
BEzzLEMENT AND PERJURY-srNNG
GARDEN BANK DIRECTORS
IN TROUBLE.


Philadelphia May c9.-Payment Of warrants was
stopped at the city treasury this afternoon about
O'Clock the cash in the drawer" being at that time
about exhausted Paying Teller Gallagher explained TO
a number Of people who presented warrants for pay
ment that the cash balance had been paid out and
that Chief Clerk King, upon the advice of the County
Controller and In view OF the pending change In the
Office, has decided not to draw any more cash from
bank to-day. City Treasurer Bardsley's resignation
takes effect tomorrow, legal holiday,
and on Monday another treasurer will be
in charge. City Controller Thompson said sub
sequenty, In explanation Of the matter, that
about week ago he found that Mr.. Dardsley had left
in Ids office number OF signed checks which could be
filed In with the OF any OF the banks In which
the city money is deposited and with amount IL
was in consequence OF this discovery that Mr. Thompson
had sent his request TO the banks not TO any checks
by the Treasurer, unless countersigned ny him
SELF Since then he has counersgned only checks given
in payment of large warrants and for cash There
at that time large cash balance in the treasury
and he had only approved sufficient number Of warrant
to up that balance He added that he thought this
safer and that II would also facilitate the transfer
to the incoming treasurer there being cash to count
John Bardsley, city treasurer OF Philadelphia,
was srraigned to-day to to the
charges OF Incorporating 800 600 Of city money the
embezzement of 100000 and upward of State funds
and perjury in violating the oath of his Office by loan
ing the city money out at interest Since his arrest
week ago Mr.. Bardsley has been confined to his bed
suffering from prostratioD incident to the terrible
mental strain that he has been under for the last few
months.
DistrctAttorney Graham appeared for the city and
Commonwealth, and conducted the prosecution. When
Mr. Bardsley called he plainly showed in his ap-
pearance the mental agony he has been subjected TO-
and owing to his enfeebled condition. allowed to
take chair facing the magistrates desk instead Of
being placed In the prisoners dock.
After the examination of several witnesses Mr..
Graham said that 1t clear that Bardsley had
withdrawn the State funds from other banks and
deposited them in the Keystone to receive the in
terest. Counsel for Mr.. Bardsley said that 1t was
true that his client had deposited s945O00 Of State
money in the Keystone Bank, taken due bills for
1t, received interest It, and when the bank
failed lost his money, any other depositor would
have DONE Mr.. Graham asked II Mr. Bardsley was
willing to make this statement himself, and was
told that he was.
Mr.. Bardsley from his chair, tottered to the
witness-stand, and in a trembling voice said: 81
admit all that my counsel has said 1 did put the
money in the Keystone Bank, and will have to take
what the law gives me- 1 got as high as per
cent interest for the money. deposited the money
and took due bills for it, is done every day, and
when the bank failed l lost the money. l paid 1t
either to President Marsh, Cashier Hays Assistant
Cashier Lawrence"
In answer to the questions whether he received
interest from any other banks Mr. Bardsley said that
he did but only mentioned the Spring Garden. Sub
seQuently several other banks were named
Magistrate Pole committed Bardsley under $4,000
bail on the charge OF Misrepresentation of city funds,
1856 600 baiH for trial on charge Of embezzing State
funds and $4,000 bail for further hearing on the
charge of perjury In violating his oath of office.
After an interview with his counsel Mr. Bardsley
was placed in carriage and taken TO Moyamensing
Prison. lie did not attempt to secure bail.