New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-09
aTOM" FIELDS'S CONSPIRACY
THE WHOLE HISTORY OF AN INFAMOUS
TRANSACTION.


ANOTHER $1,000 SAID TO HAVE GONE TO
MAYOR HALL OR CONTROLLER CONNOLLY,
AND $4,000 TO THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
OF ALL FIELDss CoNFEDERATEs, AND THE
AMOUNTS EACH ONE RECEIVED.
As Mr.. Thomas G. Fields, then Corpora
ton Counsel walking along the upper part of Third
ave. In the Winter OF 1868, he approached by Mr.
Michael ]. Quigg and another fireman OF Harlem, who
asked him whether he would not his influence TO-
ward having act passed by the Legislature appro
priang money to the old volunteer remen OF the Har
lem district and that II he could influence the passage
OF such nc they would he willing TO pay him for his
time and trouble. After rejecting few moments Mr.
Fields remarked, " think it be done, but 1t will
cost money TO do It. But see there Is money in It,"
conversation the subject followed, and
q short time the trio separated. Several subsequent
meetings occurred between the parties and finally
arranged that Of the leading fremen Of the
district should organize association, TO which all
the members OF the different companies should be
eligible and that agreement should be entered into
between the members and Mr.. Fields whereby the
former should pay the latter percentage OF the amount
which he should prevail upon the Legislature to grant
them in consideration Of past services Accordingly
meeting OF the members OF the disbanded volunteer
panies OF Harlem held at Harris Hotel Third-aye.
and Northumberland twenty -seventhst.. and g. W.
Thompson OF Engine No, 81 elected temporary chairman
The object Of the call stated to be desire to have
the Legislature TO pay them for services from Oct l.
1885, to jan l. ls6s, the time Of their disbandmen and
that IL would be necessary for them 20 assign their
claims 20 Mr.. Fields and allow him q percentage for
his services that there seemed TO be doubt but that
such result could be obtained, and that the meeting
had been called TO further that end He concluded by
saying that he hoped every member present would be
willing to aid in this effort, and be willing 10 contribute
toward the desired result The that there
any likelihood Of their receiving pay for service
that many Of them had dreamed OF being compen
stated for received by the audience with the widest
enthusiasm. They pounded the benches and the floor
with their feet INDUCED in shouts and ccteas and for
nearly an hour all efforts restore order la vain
While the enthusiasm was at its highest an emssary Of
Mr. Fields appeared carrying large number Of blank
assignments, which he proceeded TO ll up with the
names Of those present, and before the meeting adj
journed every person 10 the had agreed his
signature to pay Thomas C. Fields SO per cent OF
the respective amounts which should fall 10 each as his
share OF the general spoils.
Several meetings followed, permanent organization
was effected upon this single basis Of plumber, and c. W.
Ridley elected permanent President The members
OF every fire company above FiftyDinthst with one or
two solitary exceptions, signed the agreement while MI
Fields at Albany using his best endeavors to get
the bill through The Legislature adjourned, however,
without taking final action In the matter and the appro-
priation was not made until May II, 1859 This law
directed the Controller "to pay the which
may be found due said members OF said fire depart
rnent" and limited the amount 10 be dsbursed TO $4,000
On Oct u.s. lsGp Mr. Connolly wrote the following letter
10 the organization which had styled itself the Late
Volunteer Firemans Association" all the members OF
which were provided with badges which inscribed
Initial. l. V. +. A.
COsrRoLLER's OFFICE Oct. rs. 1869.
C. W. RIDLEY esq tr ,, ao L. Z a. .v,r N,
amounts due 10 the hremen OF whose assoca
RICHARD b. CoNSoLLY, Controller.
On October 90 Mr. Connolly paid to Mr. Thos C. Fields
warrant for 1892 CO. being the amount OF the assign
ments which Mr.. Fields had in his possessonand few
days aiterward warrant for s5,937 r. making In all
f4e277 Mr. Fields reserved his 80 per cent except In
few cases. where stronger influences prevailed,
and handed the balance over to the members OF the l.
v F. A., TO be distributed among them.
This little financial scheme had succeeded so admirably
that Mr. Fields and OF the remen, who began TO
ind their finances diminishing some six months after
ward united in determination 20 make another effort
10 get another appropriation from the Legislature IL
unanimously agreed also that the amount asked for
prev iousy was paltry and iDsignifcant-totally
worthy rich metropolis like New York-and that
appropriation of half million needed to satisfy
their modest merits. Accordingly meeting Of the
association was called and the volunteer firemens
rights" and "wrongs' loudly commented on by
speakers reported TO be gifted In oraory and eIhora
ton Great enthusiasm manifested at the prospect
OF another shower of finances, and the representative
Of Mr. Fields just In the nick of time with the in
evitabe assignments which the were expected
10 sign as before. But the discovery
amount to be assigned so per cent instead
OF formerly and this occasoned much loud talking
dsputatiOn, and dissatisfaction. II finally arranged
that the President and some others should call Fields
and ascertain the why the II per cent additional
was required before the members would agree
the assignments. The committee waited the man,
who told them that 1t was very expensive job. and
that when he should have made the disbursements
cessary to the thing through he would find himself
the loser unless he should have the additional
The Committee reported the the members
at the meeting OF the Association. Resistance to
the additional demand violent at first completely subsid
ed before the adjournment Of the meeting, and the
signatures 10 the assignments were made, and MI
Fields took the early train next day for Albany.
On June Q, 1870 bill passed the Legislature author
iLing the Controller 10 pay the balance OF claims which
had been found due under the act OF 1862 This bal
ance" undoubtedly referred TO the G22 SO remaining
from the $4,000 appropriated in 1867 but Mr. Fields In
having the wording of the act framed TO suit his pur
poses, interpreted giving the Controller power TO
pay whatever amounts he should deem just AS con-
sequence, the Controller paid Thos. Fields assignee,
June 1870 t45e977 on, onehalf Of which amounts.
with few exceptions retained by Fields and the
balance paid the members OF the Association TO
be divided up a. before. In this public manner and
with no attempt at secrecy, conspiracy was entered
into between Thos c. Fields Assembyman, and certain
hremen Of this city whereby 10000 was stolen
from the Treasury The substance OF these facts was
sworn 20 before the Grand jury upon this evidence
OF fraud Fields held bail for trial and prosecuted on
civil suite 10 recover the stolen money.
Appended is complete list Of the fremen who were
paid and the which they received "a also the
amount which they agreed 70 pay TO Fields MOI the
whole amount agreed upon was reserved by fleias as
of the men had political influence and some were
fronn nther non sderafinnA "a fair 10 pre-