C. T. Yerkes, Jr., & Company (Philadelphia, PA)

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accounts. and assets went into the hands of a receiver in bankruptcy, Here was a pretty kettle of fish! Here was the depositary of the State funds a bankrupt, and his office, with all its damaging records, in the hands of the law. Then what a scattering there was. Hartranft disappeared in one direction, Mackey in another, while their friends surrounded poor Yerkes on every hand, beseeching him to shoulder the responsibility and keep mum. A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. It was very soon seen that the State funds had been used in speculations, which is a criminal offense. Proceedings were promptly begun against Yerkes, who was arrested and indicted for this misuse of the public with him the had money, and Philadelphia Treasurer, who precipitated the calamity and lost his money as well. Yerkes's books, according to instructions, had been 80 kept 98 to render obseure the part Hartrant and Mackey had in the business, and if he would consent to keep still they were safe. But if he ever opened his month they were sure to accompany him to the Penitentiary. In this trying crisis they prudently kept at a safe distance and out of sight, but kept their friends continually beside the exploded banker, begging him to say nothing. But Yerkes's only defense and escape from the Penitentiary was in letting the truth be known, and he knew it. And 80 he answered Hartranft's and Mackey's appears through their friends, protesting loudly against going to prison This as a vicarious sufferer for their sins. they assured him by everything good and holy he should not do; that they would see that he did not suffer if be would only protect his accomplices. He finally promised to assume the odium and spare them if their friends would insure him against incarceration in the Penitentiary. This they readily agreed to do, and even procured a written promise that in case of conviction and sentence, he (Yerkes) should be pardoned before he could be put in prison. On this pledge Yerkes stood his trial and remained quiet. He was convicted, of course, and sentenced to a term of two years and nine months in the Penitentiary. Even when the Sheriff came to conduct him to prison he started off cheerfully, assuring his keepers that the Governor's messenger would overtake thein with his pardon before they could reach their gloomy destination. But no messenger overtook them, and poor Yerkes was turned over to the custody of the warden of the Penitentiary. That official was so assured by the prisoner's abiding confidence that he would be promptly pardoned, that he refrained for several days from looking him up in a cell, though finally that humillation was put upon him. and he still remains a prisoner; while one of the principals in this series of crimes is now the Ring candidate for Governor, and the other expects to be reelected State Treasurer. YERKES INDORSED AS AN INNOCENT MAN. That what Yerkes claims in regard to the promises of Mackey and Hartranft to keep him out of prison is true, is corroborated by the following application, which they jointly made for his pardon, the original of which is on file in the Department at Harrisburg: To His Excellency, JOHN W. GEART, Governor of Pennsylvania. DEAR SIR: We would respectfully request your Excellency to grant a pardon to Charles T. Yerkes, jr., who has been convicted of larceny in the Court of Quarter Sessions of Philadelphia. It 18 our firm conviction, and we speak advisedly when we say that we believe him to be entirely free from any intention to commit a felony, and think that to incarcerate him would be an act of great injustice. He is largely indebted to the City of Philadelphia, and has made a proposition of setilement with the said city, which proposition has been accepted by the Committee appointed by Councils to settle the same, and consisting of gentlemen who have the entire regard and confidence of the people. This agreement requires Mr. Yerkers's personal attention. We, therefore, from the beliet in his innocence and that to pardon him for the offeuse charged would be for the public good. earnestly desire that you now show your Executive clemency in this case. Yours, most truly, J.F. HARTRANFT, R.W. MACKEY. Thus, it will be seen, Yerkes, who is now denounced by the Ring or gans convict and forger," unworthy of belief, was an innocent and greatly wronged man in the estimation of his confederates, Mackey and Hartranft. USING THE TREASURY TO BRIBE THE LEGISLATURE. Mackey was first elected Treasurer by the Legislature of 1869, to succeed Kemble. The Legislature of the following year disturbed the Ring arrangements by refusing to redlect, but elected Gen. W. W. Irwin as an independent candidate instead. The next Winter, 1870-71, Mackey borrowed $20,000 on his individual note, which sum was advanced by Yerkes. With this money he secured his own election. As soon as he had got comfortably reinstated in the office, the term commencing the 1st of May, he began depositing the public funds with Yerkes. The amount so deposit ted on 1st May, 1871, was, according to Yorkes's books, $250,000. On the 1st of June the balance was $220,000, $190,000 on June 30, and $185,849 37 on August 1. Then came a draft for $20,000, a transaction that is explained by the following letter, which accompanied it: TREASURY DEPARTMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA, HARRISBURG, Aug. 4, 1871, C. T. YERKES. jr., & Co. GENTLEMEN Inclosed find draft on your house for $20,000. for which please send me my note for same amount past due. Yours truly, R. W. MACKEY. Cancel note before mailing. The following is a copy of the draft inclosed in the foregoing letter TREASURY DEPARTMENT OF PRNNSYLVANIA, No. 97. HARRISBURG, Aug. 4, 1871. Measrs. C.T. YERKES, Jr., & Co., Philadelphia : Pay to Messrs. C.T. Yerkes, jr., & Co., or order, twenty thousand dollars. R. W. MACKEY, State Treasurer. $20,000. It will be noticed that this is a formal State draft, drawn by the State Treasurer against State funds. Its application was to take up a private note made by R. W. Mackey. That private note was the one above referred to, given to secure a loan of $20,000 made by Yerkes to enable R. W. Mackey to purchase his election as State Treasurer. Thus the State paid directly, though by a fraud, for the debauchery of its legislators, and the election of the very man who by the act renders himself qualified for a term in the Penitentiaty. There is no evading this issue. Nor can the enormity of the offense be increased by any fine writing. The books of neither the State Treasurer nor the Auditor-General contain any record of this bold and wicked transaction. But it will be seen all through Yerkes's books and accounts, while the original draft and letter are proof positive of the transaction.