New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-14
WHY TWEED FLED.
NEGOTIATIONS FOR A SETTLEMENT

NEGOTIATIONS FOR A SETTLEMENT.
THE BELIEF OF MANY WHO WE'RE WELL ACQUAINT-
ED WITH TwEED's PasITION-REsTlTUTI'N or
RING PLUMBER CONSIDERED TO DEFEND LARGE
LY on IuE RESULT OF Mr. oCONORs ILLNESS
TWEED THOUGHT TO DE WITH GENET-P0SSI L
BIIITY or Ills RETURN.
The mystery surrounding the fight of William NJ.
Tweed continues to be impenetrabc to the detect
ives and Shcrif's officers if their statements can
he accepted as true. But there is reason 20 be-
lieye that Tweed's reappearance will not
long be delayed if certain pending negotiations
successful, or if Charles OConor should survive
At least a theory prevails among men who have
excellent opportunities for knowing the movements
of the Ring, which explains Tweeds present alb
sence, and its reasons in plausible manner. 1t
is not believed by those who accept this
theory that Mr.. Tweed has even gone out
of the city. Two years ago when he
was surrendered by one of his bondsmen, Terence
Farley, he was in hiding until he could secure bail
in lieu of Farley then he made his appearance and
went about his business again, with Charles Devlln
rs his bondsman. 1t has been suggested that he
would return again soon as he had arranged hls
BAIL But it IL not matter of bail which bo wishes
to arrange; the question of general settlement was
pending when he took his flight, and the theorists
maintain that he will never return until this is set
tied.
The general outlines Of this story, prevalent
among Ring intmates and others, is as follows
Several months ago proposition was made to Mr.
OCOnor to make q general settlement OF all the
Ring suits. Sweeny, through his brotherin-law,
John j. Brad ~ aud it is supposed by the advice OF
his attorney; Richard Connolly, through his son-in-
law, Surrogate Ilutchins; Genet through old friends
and Tweed for himself, made a proposition to re-
store certain unknown millions in settlement OF the
claim Of six millions for which suit wls brought
against all and individual members OF the KING
There questions raised as u the character III
some of the securities which offered IN settle
ment, and a great deal of time wasted IN deter
mining this point Mr. O'COnor was supposed to he
favorable To the settlement, thian5 that partial re-
covery and the banishment of the Ring was preeri-
bic 10 any settlement likely to be reached by any pro-
cess of uncertain law. Mr.. Pcckham aad Mr.. Barlow
were naturally opposed to any settlement OF suits
which promised to run on intermlnaOly, whiie
Tweeds lawyers have not the slightest objection 10
the same sort of interninabie litigation. Mr..
OCOnors counsel and influence prevailed however,
against his associates. and Tweed who had grown
tired OF paying lawyers fees, took the matter oil
settlement into his own hands The result was that
settlement of all the claims against Sweeny. Genet,
Connolly, Conan, Tweed and others too insignifi-
cant by comparison to mention, about 10 be con-
cluded when Charles OConOr was taken seriously
ILL., and was reported 10 be on his death-Ded Tweed
felt-pos ibly he knew-that in the event OF the
death of OConor no settlement could be reached If
he were in the power and custody Of his antagonists;
and he at once made his arrangements 10 escape and
thus force a settlement.
IL is not believed by any of the Sheriffs officers
that he has gone distance of thirty hours ride
from New-York. They believe that he joincl Genet
in his hiding-place and that he there awaits the
conclusion of Mr. OConors Illness lie will return
if Mr. O'Conor survives aud is willing to continue
the negotiations which would return not only
Tweed's plumber but also that of Sweeny and Con-
molly: or if Mr.. O'COnor dies and his successors
evince n purpose to settle, he will come Oack. If
not he will 20 abroad and have an end of tho mat
ter there.
This theory Of Tweeds fight is possibly not the
true one it is advanced, however, by persons who
have the best opportunities Of knowing what would
he the most natural thing for him TO do surrounded
rs he was. The fact that the Ring jointly offered
some time ago to return $i.O00000 gives the theory
a certain degree of FEASIBILITY. That Tweed IL far
from Now York if indeed he is at all outside of its
limits j. unlikely. Genet, who is supposed to have
lied to Europe, aud who has been reported to be in
Belgium, was in the city last week, and signed GER
tain deeds of Importance. Why may not - the Boss"
of all The Rings rogues find equal ndugcncef