The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-07-17
Revelations Made by the Experts Who Ex-
amined Ex-Treasurer Bardsley's
Accounts.
HOW JOHN PAID FOR KINDNESS.

The experts appointed to investi-
gate the accounts Of John Bardsley,
late city treasurer, have made detailed
report to the mayor. A recapitulation
of their statement is as follows:
Net amount due to the state, ST.
S5,6oa,o5 ; net amount due to the
city, 81 ,ooS, ,o49, 90 ; total balance due
to the state and city to be accounted
for, $2,5o5.55I.o5. Deduct amount
of deposits in various banks to May 80
1891, s9Io,673.47; leaving, $I,674,-
S7S.47. Deduct Keystone bank due
bills, $oas 1000 ;deduct Keystone bank
checks paid by Bardsley in excess of
$437, 554,3s in city fund account,
$Io6,o4s,Io. Total net deficiency in
Mr.. Bardsley's accounts, s553,S35,3S.
AS to the credit Of $o25, 900 repres-
en;ed by Keystone bank due bills, we
find more or less evidence OF payments
made from time to time by Mr.. Bard
sley to the president ofthe bank, which
may make up this amount. The due bills
are irregularly numbered and dated,
and this, in connection with the fact
that we have found four blank due bills
in sheet uncut under blotter on
Mr.. Bardsleys desk, creates fair sus
p;cion of their genuineness.
Mr.. Bardsleys private memorandum
book shows that he was paid by the
Keystone bank $1,000 each month,
commencing in January, 1880, and
continuing regularly to September,
1890, making total of $4,000. This
sum was regularly paid in addition to
interest which he received on state
money loaned or deposited, and ap-
pears to represent three per cent. on
the limit of $500, 900 of the city de-
posit. One entry shows the receipt of
$500, ''for the use of 100000 from
December IL to 81, 1850, at $s5 per
day." equivalent to an interest rate of
nine per cent. The total amount of
interest paid Mr.. Bardsley for the
years 1889 and 1890 by this bank alone
was $76,Sa7,36.
Thus it appears that these due bills
represented loans personally made to
| the. bank, rather than deposits therein,
and which acts OF loaning were wrong
full conversions to his own use and the
violations Of the laws of this common.
wealth. 1t may well be doubted
whether such credit under such cir
cumstances is properly made, but it is
| allowed in this account without exam
nation. rt Gr.
Auditor General McCamant and
VIM. Livsey, state treasurer, received
their share in the spoils. Check No.
4oS dated February aS, 1890, reads
"For L. & Nc. January & February
$1,000. Check No. 135, march II.
1891, cash half of $50 Nc. $375."
Check No. eos, December 4, 1889,
"Wm. Livesy, state treasurer, for
his kindness to me during the year,
$500" In the state advertising Bards-
ley received 40 per cent, one-half Of
which he divided with the Auditor
General. On page 43 is written ''news-
paper 1889, balance $I4, 2S9.o4 one
half to Thomas McCamant, $7,I44.s2.
For the year 1890 the amount from
this 40 per cent was $I7,o76.oo. June
II, 1890 check No. 435 was drawn
which reads to myself or bearer" for
S7,IoS.S5, and on the face of the check
is written in ink the word ''Large." :"
There is no evidence yet to whom this
check was paid. For 1891 Bardsley
received for his half of the 20 per cent
$S,o64.4o.