The New York herald., 1875-07-13
Peter B. to Come Back if His
Bail is Reduced.
THE REQUEST TO BE GRANTED.
Restitution Of Ring PIuDder Soon 10 Begin
with EX.COurt House Commits
GiOncr Walsh.

are ABOUT TO mako restitution OF their plunder.
At tho same time, 1t is gratifying to be able to
state that the HKRALD's urgent invitation to
Peter B. Sweeny to como home ana vindcate
himself from the serious charges recently brought
against him seem TO have mad the desired effect
upon his counsel and advisers IN this city. A few
days ago, In the Court House, Mr. Pecknam ana
Nj. Jonn McKeon fell accidentally into conver-
sation on the subject OF Sweeny's return. Mr.
Peckham SAID that sweeny, If he were innocent
as his frienls loudly asserted should come homo
at once to clear himself from the charge made in
Ingersols af1davit that he shared TO the extent
OF ten per cent In the division Of much OF the
Rings plunder Mr.. McKeon, VINO is Sweeny's
counsel said tnat Sweeny would 20 doubt appear
II he felt sure that reasonable amount OF bail
would be accepted-such an amount as he could
gives
THE NEGOTIATIONS AND THE RESULT.
This LED to consultation between the counsel
for the people, Messrs. Charles O'Conor and
Wheeler II. Pecknam, and Mr.. 0'Conor, In view of
the impossibility OF bringing Sweeny over to New
YORK except by his own vohuon, consented to
such reduction OF bail as would induce the
''prains" OF the Ring to transfer his residence
nom Paris to New York. "Cood Americans when
they die go 30 Paris,n and no wonder that
inducements OF this decided character must
be offered them 10 return to the American
metropolis. MT. McKeon represented tnst under
the order requiring 49, ooOoOO bail his client could
only present himself here to DO at once thrown
into prison, as his property wasial attached, ana
IL would be utterly impossible for him 20 give bail
to anything like the above amount Mr.. 0'Conor
desired to know how large reduction would in
sure Sweeny's return, at the same time express
ing his Willingness to console such reduction TO
reasonable extent II 1t would secure Sweenyis
appearance in New York. Mr.. McKeon replied
thaffr ry4auv or 20
and other embarrassments which oil properly
owners are now experiencing, sweeny could not
| give more than $l5O,000 ball hessrs. O'Conor and
Peckham replied that this amount would be ac-
! cepted on Mr.. SWeeny's appearance to tender the
bail.
REDUCING THE AGREEMENT TO WRITING.
| The negotiation was such delicate and impor-
ant matter that IL was finally deemed best, for
the safety OF both parties to embody the result
In Official communications for publication. 1t has
already been stated that the topic arose acct
dentally IN the course OF a conversation between
Mr.. Peckham and Mr.. McKeon In the Court House,
and the subsequent negotia tions were also held
verbally. Yesterday afternoon Mr.. O'Conor held
a inal consultation with Mr.. Packham, and with
his consent, the last named gentleman sent the
| following letter 10 Mr.. McKeon, which puts the
entire matter upon clear, unmistakable basis,
and, at the same time, indicates his determine
ton TO pursue sweeny to the bitter end:-
THE LETTER FROM wHBBLKR Il. PEcKHAM
No. 70 WALL STREET, |
| NEW YORK, July II, 1875
DEAR STR-You have given me TO understand
that Peter B. Sweeny desires to appear and con-
test the OWL suits against him. but Is embarrassed
by difficulty OF giving bail to any large amount
! II Mr.. Sweeny was here 80 that he could be ar
rested we would hold him to bail in the largest
amount TO which we were entitled. but he IS not
here and cannot be forced to come and submit to
the process OF the Court
| We are thus constrained to make such terms as
You say that Mr.. sweeny can give bail In an
amount not larger than $3.50, OO0 and that II that
sum Will be accepted he Will appear.
We think all obstacles to fair trial OF the case
between him and the people ought to be removed,
SO that the truth may be ascertaIned and justice
DONE
The amount you name will be accepted II Mr..
Sweeny will appear and answer.
Your proposal should be promptly carried into
execution, as time spent In treaty Is lost to
action. Yours, truly, ,r,,,, -
lion. JOHN MoKEoN.
WHAT MR.. PECKHAM SAYS.
Mr.. Peckham's views, in connection with this
letter, will appear OF interest The following is
the substance OF the interview held with him
yesterday
REPoRTER-Can you tell me how soon sweeny is
now likely to return?
Mr.. PEcKHAM-No, have no information as to
that; and, In truth, don't know whether he win
return at all.
sweeny would come back II the ban were re-
duced3
Mr.. PEcKHAM-No; he did not. I don't know
whether Mr.. MoKeon Is acting directly under
authority from Sweeny in this matter. cannot
tell until receive his answer 20 my letter saying
whether he accepts my proposition or not
REPoRTER-what was then, Mr.. NcKeon's exact
proposition as made TO you
Mr.. PEcKHAM-He did not make any formal
proposition. The subject simply came up In q
conversation.
REPoRTRR-If Sweeny returns, when WIN you try
his case ?
Mr.. PECKHAM-As soon as we can, but certainly
not until after the summer.
REPoRrER-W hat is the value OF Sweeny's prop
erty that you have attached
Mr.. PEcKHAM--I don't know exactly, as 1 did not
closely examine its value. 1 should Judge from
$500, 900 to $400 0oo
REPoRTKR-And how much DO you want to re-
cover ~
MIR. PBoKHAM-Seven hundred thousand dol
lars--hs ten per cent share OF the 81, ,oOo 600 OF
plunder, for the recovery OF which we recently
began 4 suit
WHAT Mr. o'coSoR SAYS.
Mr.. Charles o'Conor, who looks as bright ana
vigorous as ever, says that he gave his consent
the reduction Of bail from sheer necessity. ave
were wiling to exact the largest ball,n he said,
smiling, "and to get him over here II we could;
but as we could. not do that We had to coax him
over here by the promise OF small baiLn Mr..
O'Conor was asked whether there was any truth
in the statement that certain minor Ring cases
would be abandoned on the restitution OF
the plunder. Mr.. O'Conor said that 1t
was true that although he had no
power in these matters MS advice had been
to extend leniency to the small and decent offend
ers who had previously been honest, and give
them an opportunity, on condition Of the restitu-
ton OF their plunder, with interest, 20 retrieve
their character. While he was in favor OF prose-
cutting relentlessy the high on1sials who were
sworn to discharge their duties honestly ana for
the best interests OF the people, he was inclined
70 take a reasonably merciful view OF tue smaller
cases where young men had sinned for the first