The sun., 1898-06-11
Mr.. KENNEY
CONFESSES
In an Interview He Confirms The
Suns Charges.
AWARE OF THE DEFALCATION
Senator Tells Of the American
Surety Company's Agreement.
HELD BONDS TO PLACATE THEM
The Indicted Senator Explains His
Connection With William N.
Boggs and the Looted Bank
Admitting That on Sew
eral Occasions He
Gave the Ex-
Teller His
Check.

Baltimore Sun Of yesterday con
tains the following interview with Unitet
States Senator Richard r. Kenney reIa
tive to his connection with the defalca
ton OF the First National Bank OF Dover
The indicting of United States Senator
Richard R. Kenney by the Federal grant
jury at Wilmington, charging him witt
conspiracy and aiding William N. Boggl
to embezzle money from the First Ma
tional Bank of Dover, has caused much
regret among the people of Delaware. Nc
occurrence has happened in this State fol
many years which has created more gen
eral discussion.
TheSdefalcations OF Mr.. Boggs, his flight
and subsequent return and surrender
created sensation. The same was true
when, upon information from Mr.. Boggs
a number of Dover's citizens we're arrest.
ed as being abettors. But the indict-
ment Of Senator Kenney is climax
which has startled the whole community.
| When seen by representative OF The
Sun: tonight Senator kenney said: 81
have hesitated about giving out any
statement about this affair, but am now
perfectly willing that the people should
know, not only q part, but all OF my
connections with Mr.. William N. Boggs,
as there has never. been a transaction
between us which was not legitimate in
every sense of the word.
"Since this attempt to ruin me has
been made I shall fight it to the bitter
end and feel sure that | shall be able to
vindicate myself in the matter. To give
history of my transactions with Boggs,
it will be necessary for me to tell some
ancient history and make some plain
statements, after which the public will
have chance to pass Judgment
Il first knew William \. Boggs about
the time he became an official in the
First National Bank at Dover. My ac-
qaintance with him from that time up
to some time in the year 1891 or 1893
was of he ordinary everyday kind. In
1891 or 1893 he came to me and EN-
ployed me as his counsel. told him
that would serve him i'll that capacity,
and did so from that time until the time
he absconded in 1897. The business
which brought him to me was largely
collections and advice.
'Tn November, 1893 or 1894, am
uncertain as to the date, he came to
my house ior the first time. 1t was
night. After we had gone to my pri-
vate study he said that he was in
trouble with the bank and had come
to consult me about what he should
do.
Il was Mortified as well as surprised at
this statement, because | had held him
in the highest esteem. Tie information
was a shock, SO much so that | never
asked him the extent of his trouble with
the bank, neither did he tell me. at!-
vised him that he had enough relatives
and friends t. protect him, and that he
should at once make up any deficit be-
re any u | city was possible.
''From that day until the Saturday be-
fore he left Dover, in 1897, the subject
was never mentioned either by nle or by
him. On my part, for the reason that |
felt that any suggestion from me in re-
gard to the matter would necessarily be
humiiating to him and because held
the opinion that, under my advice, his
shortage or defalcaton had been made
good.
During the yeals 1895, 1896 and 1897
| transacted various matters for him.
)n at least two occasions | discounted
for him in the First National Bank ON
my own Endorsement, notes which he
told me were the results or profits Of his
gaming. The proceeds OF those dis
were paid by me to him. /
collected for him several hundred dollars
during the time and sold mortgage of
$500 dollars that he held. The total
amount thus paid to him was nearly two
thousand dollars.
"The indictment against me, as pub
lislled in the press, charges that on
seventy seven days during 1895 and 1896
| had overdrawn on the bank with
which Boggs was connected. In answer
desire to say that from May, 1895, to
April, 1897, did not have notice from
Mr.. Boggs or any other officer OF the
bank Of being behind more than a
dozen times. OF those dozen times GER
tainly onehalf of the notices, il not
more, were given to me by other officers
,l the bank than Mr. B ggs.
II believe during the time that have
been a customer OF the First National
Bank paper am ,unting to m r. tt an S5O,-
100 has been discounted by the directors
If the bank, and up to April 1897, never
| single note mad been dishono,ed,
whether made or indorsed by me.
Whether maker or indorser had faith
ulIv protected the bank against losses.
II never had doubt OF Boggs' integri-
y or honesty from the time he spoke to
ne in 1893 or 1894 until week before
,e left Dover, in 1897. Confidence in
linn for honesty and Integrity was not