The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-09-25

&Ohucy Hfu 4huiThy y Etfiichs
In the department OF Business Ethics
In the Goldey Wilmington Commercial
College Rev. W. L. s. Murray, Phi. D.,
d. d., made quite an interesting lee
ture out of the experience of John
treasurer of Philadelphia. II Is Prin-
cipaI Goldey's opinion that Unless
something be done to actually etartle
the youth In the preparatory period
Of their lives, as to the seriousness OF
such crimes as Bardsley's we have
great reason to fear for the future of
this country"
The lecture began by discussing a
business circular on which he found
picture OF a pyramid illustrative OF the
successful chapter in John Bardsley's
life in which he stood at the top with
the flag OF victory in his hand, al
though with such sequel that it was
more painful than pleasurable to al
lude to It, Yet IL afforded the oppor-
tuDity of preaching by preeept, which
Is ono OF the best ways to impair in
formation, while example is still more
potent.
Bardsley was first an example of
honesty and then of dishonesty. He
is IS years old and about u OF his life
was spent In public office. In half a
century he rose to the exalted office of
city treasurer OF Philadelphia, which
he lilled for az years.
He was man OF ability and capacity
To I'LL such an Office man ought to
be good accountant and a man of
integrity. The handling Of 1% mil
lions to millions Of dollars per year
requires ability as well as integrity.
There are great tenptations(1) To loan
the money for personal emolument,
(2) Spoils, (3) To aid personal friends
in times Of their financial distress.
John Bardsley had been greatly hon.
ored for success. His portrait had
been hung in the City Council Cham
Der by vote Of Council. On Jan. l.
1889. he was elected City Treasurer, and
took the oath OF office. His legal
salary was S2l,000.00 per year. His
00e.00 per annum.
In and a half years he handled
"a, 933, 1850 of the peoples money.
With these large sums came the
greed of gain. Like Achan he saw and
coveted the golden wedge. His testi-
nony was that his family lived on
$500 per year. Contrary to his oath
and the law, he loaned the city's money
to friends and corporations and for
speculation. The absconding Marsh
agreed to pay him per cent.
The law looked upon John Bards lcy
us private citizen In his personal
and private account and protected him
MS such. 1t looked upon him in his
public Office us the peoples servant
entrusted with the peoples money.
and protected him as such.
But the law forbid him to eommin-
gle these two accounts. His commin-
Cling of them lead to violation OF the
law. When he overdrew his private
and personal part he took the pablic's
money contrary to his oath and the
law. II is disastrous not TO keep cor
rect and honest accounts.
He thought he could speculate with
the city's funds. He loaned on insult
ticient security. lie confessed him.
self guilty of ~ loaning the citys
money (2) OF taking interest for him.
self on the peoples funds and 90 OF
Specializing.
When he entered upon his office I do
not believe he Intended anybody
should loose money by him. After the
oUlHllse no sAiu NHcn began to loan
% the keystone Bank ! believed it
solid. When It became shnky 1 could
not retrace my steps and / was caught
in the crash" ".-
On the 2lst OF May he resigned.
The Keystone Bank, the Spring Gar
den Bank and all parties interested to-
gether were involved to the extent of
some $4,000, 600.
John BardSley was arrested and put
under $50 900 bail He confessed his
guilt. He was sentenced to 10 years
Imprisonment In the State peni-
tentiary and to pay S231, $50 fine.
Convict inrlslev's sad career teaches
that integrity is alta premium. When
he lost his integrity he fell. By the
sad lesson OF his life l trust you have
esoiseu 10 De true IN all your obliga-
lions and trusts IN life. never to mix
other peoples money with your own
and to keep honest accounts and to be
honest In ali your relations and bust.
ness la life.
Professor Cooley supplemented the
lecture with few earnest remarks.
Shall it be possible that any one who
has listened TO these earnest words Of
the Doctor, will ever be like convict
Bardsley. Let the first step in the dis
honest way never be taken. lou may
le elected treasurer OF some local So
,iety, oil be employed and have other
lersons' money In hand. want TO
emphasize the Importance of never
iklng the first step in dishonesty.
DO not think that we mean that you
IN your young and innocent lives in
tend to cheat,
it Is largely matter OF Instruction,
Had the many unfortunate ones
Anown the danger and consequence oil
their erlalic course they would never
have taken the first step.
The professor cited other examples
in The same line and moral and intel
lectual influences in favor of honesty
and intelligent. correct accounts were
used to the utmost. The attendance
OF students is very large, and there
were many new fAees.