The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-07
GEORGE TICKNOR CURTIS AND THE
''RING" SUITS.
TO rHK EDrroR OF TIE HERALD

TO rHK EDITOR OF THE HERALD
In an editorial article ir the Times OF this date
find the following statement
. The third specific charge against the Corpora
what are known as the civil suits against the Ring.
During the last SIX months Mr. Smith has fre-
4ueutV expressed himself as ready to 20 on with
these, and only few days ago he referred to an
Intention to associate with him In behalf OF the
AZ these gentlemen signed an opinion three years
ago IN which doubt was expressed whether any
cvl action would lie against the ring thieves, the
selection was not considered particularly fortu-
nate
No such opinion was ever signed By Judge Porter
and myself, or either OF US. On the contrary tho
opinion that l gave TO the Corporation Counsel
Mr.. OGorman. In October, isTi, asserted the la
biiv OF every city Oricer who had taken public
money OF the city or county from the treasury to
civil action, in the name OF the city or county,
in the strongest terms then said:-
While l see no reason to expect that any ade-
quate remedy or redress by way OF civu action for
the recovery Of money OF the city or county OF
Attorney General, think 1t quito clear that no
action Instituted BY you in benat OF the city or
ings that NAV DE directed by that ONCE.
In my opinion your of1cial duty aud obligation
are 70 pursue Win all proper diligence ana fidelity
fords to the city or county OF New York for causes
OF action that have accrued to one or the other OF
them.
Afterwards in December, 1871 when the facts
were Oetter known, Judge Porter and myself gave
to the Corporation Counsel further opinion. more
deliberately considering the whole subject Of 70
medy. 1t ended with TINS summsry:-"It Is our
opinion, therefore, upon full consideration.
that the action Of the People va. Tweed
and others cannot lie, and that tho
several actions OF the Board OF Supervisors OF
the county Of New York versus Tweed, Connolly.
Hall and other defendants, can be maintained"
-
the name and behalf Of the state was afterward
Iully confirmed ny the COURT OF Appeals.
COUNSEL IN DecsmSer Is1a I9Ta Connection wi9
the county suits ceased, at his suggestion, and
they were placed IN the hands OF tine gentlemen
these county suits had been success:
terms OF this department against the strenuous
resistance offered by the defendants, and
the state. With regard to my recent retainer by
Mr.. smith, maze TO say thar 1t may be fortunate
orner on any donSa S aver had abon
the defendants LIABILITY. did not feel at liberty
to refuse my services, although certainly did not
desire to be again employed In the cases. II the
city wants my professional aid 1t mas right to IL.
according 70 my notions Of professional ethics.
j viii add that the disposition to, SLAM
connection with these cases whenever an
attack can be made out OF which any political
capital can De Manufactured, ana Tue FACILITY Will
which the public swallows any imputattOn upon
personal character only that the name or Tweed
can De IN some way connected with 1t are evils OF
tar greater magnitude than the loss Of all the
money that Tweed and mis- confederates ever stole
from the treasury. As never in my life saw Tweed
or Connolly or InRersOl or Garvey or any OF tue
crowd VINO are accused OF having participated IN
the plumber my interest in their Welfare cannot
be considera BILE. ana as never had any connec-
ton with Tammany Hall, either under the old or
the new regime may reasonably be supposed to
be tOlerably Independent OF both Of them. | am,
sir, &c. GEORGE TICKNOR CURTIS.
NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 1875.