The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-08-29

THE CONFESSIONS OF THuRLOw WEED.-In the
Albany Ece1ing Journal Of Monday last, Thur.
low Weed makes some revelations about
bribery and corruption, which are rich and GU
rious as far as they 20, but which would be In
fnitely richer, more curious, and far more in.
structive, were they true, full and particular
account Of the numerous bribery aud corrup-
ton transactions which this political leader
confesses to q knowledge of in the course o!
his long experience. We must, however, be
thankful even for small favors, hoping that
duly impressed with the religious maxim that
ian honest confession is good for the SOUL y
Weed will hereafter write his autobiography
and leave it behind him for the public benefit.
1t lie worthy of remark that nowhere in the
general and vague confession he now makes
does he deny that he has accepted douceurs in.
Guiding $4,000 for Stree WOOL" He only says
that "no pecuniary consideration, no
hope of favor or reward, has tempt
ed him to support q measure which
did not commend itself to his Judgment and
conscience, or to oppose a meritorous one"
But il the measure did commend itself to his judg-
ment and conscience, then be had no objection
to accept money for its advocacy, as in the case
of "free wool;" and if it was measure which
his judgment and conscience did not approve,
then it was all right to accept good fee to op-
pose it; Of course money never had any in
fiuence on his Judgment and conscience in
blasting them for or against any measure. In
regard to the city railroads, he says "the way
TO make money on these questions was in op-
posing them" He ought TO know, for he op.
posed one railroad for six years.
II is Characteristic of Albany morality that
Thurlow Weed regards as his friends those
who make him Golfers" for doing dirty job.
This was the case in the instance Of the Brook
Ign ferries, and he admits he did not think it
was "any cause Of quarrel with his friends, or
that he had any right "to flare up when the
Brooklyn Alderman prolered him a bribe"
ITO his own knowledge he says, similar
offers are made and accepted every year by
men Of high character, personal, social and re-
ligious." When man of such extensive per-
sonal knowledge in the way Of bribery makes
such statement as this, what are we To think
Of the extent OF the corruption which has thus
crept over society like leprosy, and when
"men Of high character, social and religious"
are covered with the foul moral disease
Thurlow Weed tells US of numerous large
offers that were made 10 him, and declined, but
1t would have been more TO the purpose If he
had told us what he had accepted, and whether
he was not in the other cases like the lawyers,
e retained by the opposite side by larger
fee, or whether he refused offers merely because
they were too small and did not afterwards nc
cept higher bids from the same parties. These
are points on which precise and specific infor-
nation would be highly edifying and valuable.
If he will publish o list Of all those cases
in which he has accepted money for advo-
eating or opposing them, the public will
then be in proper position to form
a correct opinion Of the soundness OF his judC-
ment" and the tenderness Of his conscience"
which never permitted him 10 advocate what
he believed wrong, or to oppose what he con-
ceived TO be right. Meantime. as life Is uncer-
tain, we hope be viii commence the writing of
his memoirs. and place on record history OF
the exemptions which be has any knowledge
Of. giving dates names and amounts II he
has any objection to giving l, 10 the werld
before his death. II can come out ss q post
humous publication. II would be NEST In.
teres,ing work, and would inmortallze the
wri,r.
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