Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-09-16
TO TALK
Convict Bardsley Brought
Again Into Court.
WAS WANTED AS A WITNESS.
But Declined Positively to Answer Any
of the Questions Put to Him.

Said He Had Been NIaligned, and that
the Public Had Been Taught to Discredit
His Word--Two NJ ore Gases for Criminal
Prosecution--No Action to Be Taken
Against the Bank Presidents.
PHILADELPHIA, Sep. 16.-The spectacle
of convict ex-city official appearing in
court as a witness and a number of
prominent and influential citizens as de-
PENDANTS is very rare indeed.
When John Bardsley was brought into
court yesterday, handcuffed and in charge
of Warden Cassidy, to be used, if posi-
BILE, in aiding justice in getting hold on
other wrongdoers, it was generally ex-
pected he would act the part of clam,
and so he did.
That the District-Attorney was greatly
perplexed at his refusal to talk was fully
attested to by that gentleman this
morning.
In opening the proceedings before the
court the District Attorney narrated the
fact that his assistants had repeatedly
called on Bardsley in prison to obtain
testimony, but never were successful.
The District-Attorney then announced
that the Commonwealth had subpoenaed
Glendenning & Sons, Auditor-G General
McCamant, William H. Livesey, cashier
in the State Treasury, who was not pres
emit, and the officers of the Farmers and
Mechanics, Third National and Seventh
National banks, selecting those banks,
the District-At concluded, in
which there could be no question as to
knowledge as to whose money Bardsley
was being paid interest upon
Here the name of John Bardsley was
called. The clerk offered to swear him,
but he refused. He said: 1.-The public
have been taught to believe that there is
no value in my word whatever. l have
been maligned and 1 have got to-day
more than can bear. My self-respect,
however, in view of all that has been
said and done, will not permit me, unde-
any circumstances to give testimony in
this court"
Judge Fell reminded him that he could
refued to answer qustions, but he only
| insisted that he would not be sworn.
| The District-Attorney insisted that he
; should be sworn.
Judge Gordon-Mr. Bardsley, it Is
your duty to take the oath administered
to you. You are a citizen subpRnaed
| here regularly, and it is your duty to
take the oath. The other matters will
be determined when they are reached.
Mr.. Bardsley-If your Honor says so l
| will take the oath, which he did.
''Do you know Mr.. McCamant?'' 81 de-
cline to ans wer any questions at all. l
have simply been sworn out of Difference
to yonr Honor, because you think it is
my duty"
been asked Bardsley, all of which he de-
clined, to answer, he finally said ~
have declined to answer any questions
| My mind has irrevocably been made up
| and no inducements under the circum-
stances can prevail upon me. It is use
less for Mr.. Graham to further distress
me-"
Bardsley was then dismissed from the
stand.
The Glendenning case was next called,
and after lengthy examination Robert
Glendenning and George H. HUM, con-
stituting the firm of Glendenning &c Co. (,
were held in $4,000 bail each for court,
on the charge of having aided and albeit ed
Bardsley in his conversion of the public
money. Bail was entered in their be-
half.
The cases of the three bank presidents
were then taken up.
Mr.. Graham said it was a question in
his mind If the presidents could be in
dicted, as the law of conspiracy did not
cover the case, and he wanted the opin-
ion from the judges sitting as to whether
the presidents of these banks could be
indicted for paying interest.
al submit to the court" said Mr..
Graham, "that this question as present
ed in my own mind is one of immortality
and not OF criminality, and If the court
agrees with the thought in my own mind
should feel 1t my duty to recomm enc
that no further action be taken and thai
no warrants be issued, feeling that there
is not sufficient in the law of conspiracy
to warrant an arrest"
After the court had retired for space
of ten minutes they return ed and reat
their opinion, in which they decided tina
no action would lie as against the per
son paying interest.