The record-union., 1894-12-25
The Bank DefauIter Sent to the
Penitentiary for Eight Years.
WELL PLEASED WITH HIS PLACE OF
FUTURE ABODE.
Richard Croker Denounces Congress-
man Bourke COckran-Judge Woods
Decides the Sentence of Debs and
His Six Associates, the Jail SEN
tence to Begin on January Sth,
Special to the RECORD-UNIoN.

Special TO the RECoRD-UNIoN.
NEW YORK, Dec. 24.-Samuel Seeley,
who on Monday last pleaded guilty to
aostractlng the funds and altering the
books OF the National Shoe and Leather
Bank, was to-day sentenced to eight
years in the Kings County Penitentiary
by Judge Benedict in the United States
Circuit Court. The total amount of his
defalcation was S354, ,000
The moment Judge Benedict pro-
nounced the sentence Seeley was escorted
from the courtroom to United States
Marshal McCarthy's office in the Federal
building by deputies. He was accom-
panied by his uncle. Milford Hallenback
who stood beside him during the trying
ordeal.
Seeley threw himself on a sofa when he
reached the MarshaPs Office, and when
asked by an Associated Press reporter if
be had anything to say, replied: Il teel
much better than have for ten years.
am glad 1t is all over, and that l will be
eonnued IN the Kings County Peniten-
tiary, as my poor wife Will be able to
visit me, and this will tend to make nv
term OF Imprisonment seem somewhat
shorter"
The defaulting bookkeeper looked
much better when he emerged from Lud-
IoW-Street Jail this morning than on auy
day since he was brought back from Chi
cago. Deputy MarshaIS McAviney and
LawIess had MIN in charge, and they
stood on the platform on a horse-car.
Seeley lighted cigar and chatted with
his guards and to a reporter, but refused
to say anything IN reference to his case
When the party reached the Federal
MI ~,
shal McCarthy's office, where he was im-
medlately Joined by his uncle, Wilford
Hallenback, and Lawyer Frank w.
Angel. a few minutes later Chief Clerk
Kennedy announced that Judge Benedict
would not pronounce sentence until .
O'Clock In the afternoon.
President George l.. Pease and Director
John y. Beach OF the National Shoe and
Leather Bank called about an hour later
and had talk with Seeley. The latter
said that ii even he should be sentenced
to the full limit Of the law he would most
willingly assist the officials of the banks
IN strengthening out the accounts. Law
yer Angel asked the gentlemen to inter
cede with Judge Benedict in Seeley's be-
half, but they refused. I'VE are not in
the least VIndictive," said Mr.. Beach.
but the case Is nOw'in the hands of The
Government, and we are satisfied to let
the law take its course"
At a few minutes past 2 o'clock SeaIav
was brought into the United States Cir
cult Court. He was not placed in the
penltentiary with the other prisoners but
sat between the deputies near the counsel
tables in front OF the court. His uncle
kept up continuous conversation with
him, but Seeley seemed to take very little
interest in his surroundings. He was
very nervous, and twisted and untwisted
a white handkerchief with both hands
When Judge Benedict entered the room
all the chairs were filed with Spectators.
among them were President Crane. Vice
President Pease and Director Beach of
the Shoe and Leather Bank. A couple of
Italians were first called for sentence.
They had pleaded guilty to election
frauds, and were sentenced to three wears
each. When Seeley's name was called
he arose slowly and walked to the bar
with MS uncle on one side and Lawyer
Angel on the other.
Lawyer Angel made an earnest plea for
clemency, ana said that although the
crime charged was very serious. he
thought the ends of justice would be
served by the intliction OF a minimum
penalty Of five years. Hespoke of Seelev's
willingness to plead guilty from the day
he was brought back from Chicago. and
stated that in pleading guilty he had
saved the Government good deal of ex-
pense. Lawyer Angel then went into
the history of the case. He referred to
Seeley's family, and asked that the court
would grant a favor, that whatever term
the court would intiict, Seeey would
be allowed TO serve it in the Kings County
Penitentiary, so that his wife could visit
him.
W hen the lawyer had finished there was
not a sound in the court room, and Judge
Benedict looked at the prisoner fully
minute before he spoke. In a few brief
sentences he said that he admired Seeley
ior pleading guilty, but the large amount
involved and the position which Seelev
held in the bank necessitated a severe
sentence, in the hope that il would deter
others from following his course. The
sentence Of the court" said Judge Bene-
diet. lis that you be imprisoned in the
Kings County Penitentiary for a term of
eight years. Seeley meekly bowed his
head to the Judge, and left the court room
with the deputies.
Seeley, by good behavior, can earn
commutation of thirty-two months, and
will reduce his term of imprisonment to
five years and four months He will
probably be taken to the Penitentiary
next Saturday, but Marshal Mccarthy
said he might not be sent there until some
day next week.