The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-11-27
brought to Grief.

IN NeW 1ork. Our readers will remember
the amusement created throughout the coun-
try several years ago, by the exposure Of stu
pendous frauds in tho city government of
New York, by which the people had been
swindled out Of sonething like 0,0o0, GEO.
They will also remember that w. M. Tweed,
or "Boss' Tweed, known as such by bis inn
perial bossing Of fTammany FALL" and tbs
political power exerted thereby. was the cen
trail figure in the gigantic swindles perpetra-
ted The New York Times followed up it's
charges with such accurate and overwhelming
evidence Of criminality, that the grand jury
found Indictments against the entire ring
But the day Of trial was postponed from time
to time, until it became questionable vheth-.
er a judicial Investigation would ever take
place Fin.ny the laws delay was exhausted,
and Tweed was brought to the bar Of justice.
It was thought, from past experiences, the tri.'
al would prove farce. Much. however, to
the surprise Of the counsel, the Judge on the
bench, and tho people.a verdict of guilty was
brought in,,on all of the counts in the indict-'
ment, numbering 204 Tweed's principals
lawyer, Mr.. John Graham, vas 90 overuhel-
mend that he burst into tears Steps were
instantly taken for arrest ofjudgment. But
to no effect. Judge Davis positively declin-
ed to hear argument, stating that his mind
was fully made up. Application was made
10 thirty-two other Judges for stay Of pro.
ceedings and al order fora new trial. But
all in vain. The guilt was too notorious, and
finally Judge Davis pronounced sentence Of
twelve years imprisonment in the county
Jail, and to pay a 6ue of $4,000. In pro-
nouncing the sentence, With much earnest
ness and emphasis, he said,
It would be wrong and unjust to entertain
for 9 moment the idea that your conviction
has been the result Of persecution at the
hands OF any person or party. 1t has beea
the result OF the ascertainment and produe-
ton Of evidence SO clear and plarn that never
in my experience or reading, have I ever
seen case where the evidence was so utter
ly overwhelming, and where it was so i'm
possible for the jury to fail to come to just
and conclusive verdict. Through the whole
Of this trial you remained, up to the very mo-
ment Of your conviction, as calm and serene
as though you relied upon your innocence,
when it was overwhelmingly apparent to all
that your serenity aas only that audacity,
that confidence in omnipotence Of corruption,
rather than reliance upon your innocence. -
During she progress Of this remarkable trl-
al,the jury was strictly guarded bylpolicemen
and detectives to prevent them from being
tempered with. Although the verdict rem
dered was inevitable from the accumulation
Of testimony Of guilt, the establishment at the
result was unparalleled, and the excitement
in the city run perfectly Wild It was an
occurrence so rare, where money had not con-
trolled the administration Of justice in New
York, that every body seemed amazed. The
Judge from tie bench thanked the jury. and
the people and the press thanked both judge
and jury, that at least one instance had occur
red in the history Of New York jurisprudence,
where influential position and unlimited
means had failed to thvart the ends of JUS
tics.
New York seems to be proud OF herself, and
balls this result as an unparalleled vindication
Of the jury system. Probably shis is mat
ter Of congratulation in New York in view of
the recent verdict in the Stokes and Wal.
mouth trials, but rejecting people will regard
the exultation which has followed tha con-
domination Of Tweed, as an indication that
justice is rare quality io that city, kind
Of seven days wonder, and as much a matter
Of novelty and attraction as wild colt Of a
comet careering through space, leaving its
frey trail behind it,. An impetus appears to
have been gwen to honest intention sor this
unlocked for verdict, and Tweed's associates in
crime are now to be brought to trial, and no
doubt punishment. 1t is healthy sometimes
to realize spasm Of justice, and the punish
ment Of such huge criminal as Tweed, may
act as thunderstorm in foetid atmosphere, by
invigorating and purifying the moral breath
that has contaminated the whole social and
business fabric of Gotham.
"The lost and lamented Coufederacv.'' sa ys
the Enquirer. We do not know who it is
that 'slaments" the failure of the Confedera-