The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-06-29
Attordey Generals Report on the
New York Ring suits.

New York Ring SUits.
NEW YORK, June 2S.-Attorney Cen
eral Fairchild's report to Governor Rob
inson upon the New York ring suits, en-
closes report from Messrs, Peckhsm and
Nash, counsel for the people, in the sc-
tion sg inst p. b. Sweeney, which says
that the case against Sweeney differed
from that against any other parties prose-
cuted that he was not member OF the
board OF audit, nor an officer charged
with any duty. In respect 10 fraudulent
claims, except the evidence of lngersoll,
there was testimony to show him party
to the conspiracy for audit
and payment. These traudulest
claims by examination of the bank az.
counts and property purchased and
money used by p. b. Sweeney and com.
psrison OF the same with the payments OF
Jas NJ Swweeny are able IL trace large
sums from j. NJ. Sweeney to j. b.
Sweeney, amounting TO S2SS l2O. These
payments indicated sn agency of james
NJ. Sweeny for Peter b Sweeney. When
the action was commenced all the
property of Sweeney that could be found
was attached. lLs present value over
and above membranes is estimated at
S252 500, less his wife's right
OF dover. The most valus6le
part WAS an individual interest
aud subject to large membranes. Had
we received judgment We could have
er forced it only out OF that property.
AS to the property, it was our best judg
ment tfat q sale Of the same on An exc
cution would very unlikely to realize
over say one hundred thousand dollars.
in reference to the efforts made TO secure
the release of Wm VI. Tweed, Attorney
General Fairchild says that Tweed snd
mis- representatives we're always that the
counsel for the State would not
question him until he had first
made in his own WAY full
statement in writing of the testl
mony which he could give and OF docu-
ments and circumstances by which his
oral testimony could be sustained. He
was to give all he could nc MISTER who
was affected, or whether he deemed the
person referred 10 important or not; that
the Attorney. Genera was 10 be the judge
Ii from such n statement it should appear
that Tweed had tried honestly to put the
people N possession Of all his evidence OF
the guilt Of Others, them the cour sci for
the people were 10 examine him upon any
matters they might think he had
overlooked. II it was then
,uuud hat Tweed could be OF such serv
lcs to the people as 10 justify his release
lie was 70 be examined ~ 10 the amount
of his property which he was TO surrender
and he WAS TO b. set tree md us'd by
the people ~ a witness. On the 18th Of
April, frat received from the consel OF
| Tweed document which WAS 90 be used
| upon which the examination was 70 be
| made 10 learn il the testimony Of Tweed
was Of such public bcGeht as 70
| justify his release and immu'
nifty from any further punnb-
ment When Mr.. Townsend gave me
| that document, All agreement was
made between him and myself, sucL ~
Townsend testified to, 10 the WoOdin H..
vestlgation, when be said tha. there was
distinct understanding that unless
| Tweed be- released from imprisonment,
snd he be held Tor such purposes NJ he
chO-e TO use him for, the paper wss u be
returned 10 me (Towbsendl without any
one seeing il, except such gentlemen ~
he Fsirchiid) found necessary 20 consult
with in relation 10 it, After the state.
ment was delivered 10 me, showed II
20 ) S. Fairchild and 70 Mr.. TIlden,
20 Peckham and 10 Whitney, corpora
tion counsel. | real portion OF II 70
Mr., BIgsisw, Secretary OF the State, and
Beckhsm informed me that Nash read a
small portion of it while 10 Pecshsms
possession. These hre ell the person,
who Jaw il or heard II read. The result
| o. the examination showed Tweed would
be Of value in the sweeney action, ard
the action IN which the city Was the de
tsndart In regard 10 the latter
| Tweed in bis written paper made
an assertion which rendered MS
testimony nearly valusless, the portion
be contradicted when examined By
counsel. There Vas then, IN nv udg.
ment, a vital vsrisnce between his de-
| lIberats written statement sad bis verbal
statement msde after be discovered
what testimony would be Of value. The
re,ulis 70 be obtained IN ths Sweeney
matter never, in my judgment. justifed
49, IT