Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-26
BOYER ON THE STAND
In the Investigation of the Methods
of the State Treasury.
BARDsLEY'S BIG STEAL OF FUNDS.
The Treasurer Will Not Disclose the Steps
Taken Against Him.
NO REBATE SECURED FROM DEPOSITS

| ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATCH,1
HARRISBURG, Aug. 25.-The joint legis-
lative committee appointed to investigate
the financial methods of the State, and in
cidentally to find out how John Bardsley
succeeded in stealing million or so, met
to-day in the Senate Chamber. The Chair
man, John Handy Smith, is on his way
home from Europe and is expected to ar
rive tomorrow. Senator William Finn, of
Allegheny, promised to be present, but
failed to put in an appearance. Those pres
ent were Temporary Chairman John S.
Fruit, Senator Monaghan and Representa-
tives John H. Fow, G. w. Skinner, j. E.
Stewart and w. H. Keyser.
Mr. Skinner stated that he had heard
that a number of county treasurers were de-
linquent to the State, which led Mr.. Fow
| to suggest that it would be good idea to
examine the accounts, not only of Bardsley,
| but of all the county treasurers. Mr.. Skin
ner thereupon offered as a motion that the
committee begin an examination of these
accounts, and subpoena the County Clerk of
the Auditor Generals department to testify.
He said that it would be well to keep right
at the work now, and as it would take
| sOlnc tllue, ne WAS pIepdIeu W give UP tnc
whole of this week to it.
TESTIMONY OF BOYER
Treasurer Boyer was sworn and exam
| ined by Mr.. Fow, with occasional assist
ance from other members of the committee.
The Treasurer said that the State sinking
fund was deposited in about 35 banks.
with few exceptions" he continued,
''they are the same banks holding deposits
| when came into Office.
'There are some new repositories, mainly
the Fourth Street National Bank. 1 also
increased the deposit of the Chestnut Street
National Bank from 100000 to $500, 600
Another new depository is the Enterprise
Savings Bank of Allegheny, which now
holds S65, ,OOO The amounts in the new de-
positories are comparatively small.
Fow-Why was it that the Chestnut
Street Bank, which has been in business for
years, did not receive a deposit until year
or so ago?
BOYER DOESN'T KNOW.
Boyer-I don't know. 1t had a deposit of
800 900 when came into office. 1t had been
deposited about two months before that, 1
believe.
Fow-Why did you increase the deposit
in the Chestnut Street Bank? Were you
solicited?
Boyer-Yes.
Fow-By whom?
Boyer-Mr. Slngerly.
Fow-was any inducement OIL. reward Of
any kind held out?
Boyer-No.
Fow-Do You know of that bank being
solicitor for deposits for three or four years
Boyer-No. At the time increased the
deposit Senator Porter and Allan Rorke,
who are directors in the bank, also So
licited.
Fow-How did you come to deposit such
large amount as $75O, 900 in the Fourth Street
Bank?
Boyer-There was originally in this bank
about s240, 600. Then, as money came in from
time to time, placed more there. l con-
slider it very safe bank and the bond given
by it represents millions of dollars. OF late
money has been pouring into the treasury.
l went to this bank and told the officers
would increase the deposit If they would
give me collateral security. This they did,
and have the securities deposited in q fire.
proof vault.
PERTINENT QUESTION.
Fow-when we were examining bank Off
GERS last spring they nearly all declared that
they would not give security for State de-
posits Now tell me, does anyone, yourself
individually or anyone else, or any person
acting for you derive any gain or reward
from the deposits of the State money!
Boyer-No sir
Fow-Does any bank pay interest to you
or to anyone acting as your agent?
Fow@Do You know of any county treas
urer of the State, besides Bardsley, with
holding license fees or taxes for a longer
period than allowed by law?
Boyer-There have been instances of this
kind, l believe. l inquired about this to-day
of the County Clerk of the Auditor Generals
department and he said there were several.
Fow-Do you know of any arrangement
with any corporations to allow them addi-
tional time in which to pay their taxes?
Boyer-No, sir, 1 do not
Fow-Did you know nothing of the reten-
Afr,N NsNfl In mi n m n nv
Rardsley?
Boyer-Yes, knew of it.
Fow-What steps did you take to recover
that money?
HE CANNOT DISCLOSE IT.
Boyer-Now would like to answer that
question, but when the Auditor General and
l were subpaned before the Philadelphia
committe the Attorney General gave us u
verbal opinion, afterward supplemented by
Il written one not to disclose the action
already taken to recover this money, as 1t
might prejudice the Commonwealth's posi-
ton in suits to be brought
Fow-He thought the right of collection
should take precedence OF the right OF eX-
animation?
Bover-I suppose so.
Fow-You feel bound by that opinion, and
Boyer-I don't want to put it that way. 1
have always followed the Attorney Generals
advice heretofore and would like to do SO
L
mercy of the committee.
Skinner-If the Attorney General modifies |
this opinion will you be willing to answer
these questions?
Boyer-Certainly.
CERTIFICATE FOR SOC, 1000.
Fow-Have you in yonr office certificate |
for $50 900 on the State Treasury, Endorsed by |
Bardsley and a man named Miller. of the |
Third National Bank, to pay debt to a man |
named GlendenningS
Boyer-No, never heard oft
Fow-Was there any arrangement by your |
self or anyone else by which Bardsley was |
permitted to retain such a vast amount of |
money?
Boyer-None whatever.
Fow-You say that no one was paid for the |
use OF State money deposited in State Ma
rional or private banks?
Boyer-1 am positive no money was paid
on that account
Fow-Now, Mr.. Treasurer, for the informa-
ton of the public, is there limit fixed by
law to the amount of deposits in any one
bank?
Royer-There is no law; have to use nv