New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-02
MICHAEL NoRTON's RETURN.

SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF THE EX-SENATOR IN THE
DIsTRICT-ArroRNEY's oFFICE-H GIVES BAIL
AND II NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ABOUT THE OTHER
RING FUGTIIyEs.
Michael Norton, the ex-senator and eX-
Court house Commissioner, appeared like apparon
in the Attorneys Office yesterday morning and
gave bail. as previously agreed upon. in 5000 TO
appear for trial on eight indictments charging
him with conspiracy to defraud the city His
bondsman was John Purcell Of No. 500 BrOome-st.
Norton Indicted June &c. 1873 and with him
also ndicen John d. WEIGH, jr George $. Miller John
]. Walsh and Thomas Conan, fellow Commissioners and
contractors for the erection OF the New Courthouse
Eight indictments found against Norton, soyen
for conspiracy and for bribery About three weeks
after the Grand Jury had made their hndings intima
ton was given to and others OF those persons
named that presence required at the DISTRICT
Attorneys office They all readily responded and gave
bail IN the required amounts But when they saw In
December last, result Of tho Tweed Ingersol Far
riugton and Genet trials, they became stricken with
fear and fed on December "a, in the Court Of oyer
and Terminer Judge Daniels declared the recognzances
upon the indictments found against them forfeited and
on the 18th Judgments nled with tho County Clerk
against the bOndsmen.
No strong effort was made to bring back the fugityes
TO whom the necessity desert their homes and friends
was Of itself a terrible punishment. Runor found them
sometimes in one place then in another the general
assumption being that they together and enjoying
Themselves. Curiosity very much aroused to know
NOrtons whereabouts at the time his AFFIDAVIT
read IN the Supreme Court during
suit instituted by the Tenth National Bank against
the city for s2i2,579 A, the aggregate OF sums
claimed been loaned by the bank TO tho Court
house Commissioners in 1871 Many people doubted the
genunenos Of toe paper But there Is no question that
Norton had been in the city short time before the pro-
ductlOn OF that affidavit. Negotiations nave been gong
on between Norton and the DlstrlCt-AtOrney ana tue
latter having been Informed BY tue Corporation Counsel
Norton is absolutely necessary as witness III the
suit OF tho Tenth National Bank has been allowed I'd
visit the city Every movement IN TINS direction mas
been carefully Aept that kortons appearance
the DistTct-AtOruey Office yesterday was surprise
what Norton knows about tho transactions between
the the Commissioners Is, II true, not only
fatal to the claim but likely TO impcate the directors OF
the Bank very questionable proceedings IheIo arc
besides collateral points affecting. 1t Is SAID other city
on The trial. NUrtOn'5 appearance in the witness
chair VIII therefore be little less sensational tuan
that of the Ring plasterer Carney IN the Han
trial. John j. Walsh, VINO has been residing
in Florida ever since he fed from NeW-fOrs, ias
BEEN 10 Is said anxious throw himself AT the rect CT
the Distrct-AttOrncy and confess But rumor mas II
tna pending negotiations with that view, he dled ana
hs death placed weeks ago, tue news iCdcu-
Ing this city Yesterday Conan, too, VINO IL Is SAID Is III
Canada is DESTROYS return, but it Is understood no
compromise any will DO made with nun Ahother
OF yc.tcrdays current runOr5 that WOODWARD Was
daily expected back to tho scene or MS successlll
snding operations. and that ne comes IN the interest
OF william NJ. Tweed to expose Connoiy's dOihS5'