New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-06-07
THE HISTORY OF THE NEGOTIATIONS.

THE HISTORY OF TIE NLGOi AIlJNN
JOHN KELIYs ACCOUNT OF THE TRANSACTIONS
WHICH RESULTED IN THE swEENY COMPROMISE
REASONS FOR TwEEDs RELEASE.
Controller Kelly, who has been cognizant OF
many if uot all the facts connected with the nesoia-
tons for n settlement by PeteT b. Sweeny, said TO Il
TRIBUNE reporter evening that swecny had been
anxious TO make his peace with tho prosecution
for long time. Tie overtWes made ID!
Tweed through his counsel, John D. Town
send had alarmed Swccny, who feared that
Two,d's revelations would give the prosecuting
attorneys damaging facts 10 De used crossexanina
ton ana imperil his case. Atomey-Gencra iaifehld
visited this city consult with the counsel Tor he peo
pie and TO verify far possible the statements made
by Tweed inn licatr others Swecny was kept informed
Of the progress made in the cstiga lions and learned
that proposition being seriously consdrc 10 ac-
ccpt 50 100000 from Tweed in fun settlement, and 10
use Tweed as a witness against the other Ring thieves
and their acconplces and tools Influences were SCI ID
motion without delay TO prevent an immediate
settlement with Tweed. Prominent pohlicMs
were enlisted TO ohstWct the proposed
compromise, and in the mean time Swoeny andhs counsel
were busy pressing the Attouc! General and the lawyers
for the people 10 consent 10 Withdrawal Of tie suit
against him on the payment OF reasonable sum OF
money TO be accepted M restitution from the estate of
James VI. Swccny. Tie amount first proposed 10
Wheeler II. Pockham 100000. This sum was IN
creased 20 $4,000 which Nj = ckham and MI Nash
were disposed TO accent Attachments against SwCeuys
estate IN MS CITY hth Itni4t'. III I'- 'Sii vi
his lots on Broadway between Thirty-ihbd and
Tbrtyfourfh-sts These were valued by real
tate experts at 100000. They were subject to
mortgage OF 100000, and with the legal eN-
pcnses interest. taxes assessments, &c, II was
believed would barely realize S2jO,0Oo il sold on
account the judgment hoped to be obtained by the
suit This sum seemed to De the most that could be
obtained and as sweeny had been guaranteed immunity
from arrest both before and after the ua Mr Peckhah
was at inclined TO come 10 an agreement on ms
basis. MI Sweeny himself declared this To be the very
best he coud offer The lawyers however became con
WINGED that more could bee obtained and Mr. sweeny was
informed that increase his offer To 100000.
Negotiations continued on this basis
aud after repeated offers Of SIMS ranging
from 100000 10 $4,000, which were rejected, Cor
poration Counsel Whitney was appealed TO 10 accept
100000 ia fun settlement conference Of the counsel
On both sides was held discuss this proposition. and IT
WAS M las. agreed 20 the best settlement which cuud
De obtained under all the circumstances. prosecution
Of tho SUIT judgment would have realized less than
S25OO0O and the city gets back now $4,000 additional
Of the MONEYS wronsfUy taken from the treasury This
sctt!cment does not include Tweed.
Auorney-Gcucral Fairchld, Mr.. Kelly further said,
Las still under consideration various propositions LOOK
ING toward the release Of Tweed Tie one when mus
Tar meets with most favor has been approved 10y proml-
neut politicians and taxpayers. II hnaily accepted
Tweed will pay or secure the city S20oOOoo ana VIII
agrce 10 reveal all he knows ahout the large claims for
contracts and supplies in suit against the city, to
which the Corporation Counsel has adequate defense
Among these tie enormous bills Of Rogers CO. for
stationery alleged 20 have been furnished 10 various de-
artmente and the claim for The Navarro watermetcrs
Tho facts in the possession OF the Law Department are
mot sufficient Of themselves TO make good case without
eoyroboraye testimony Of fraud or ilegality in con
,,actine the debts Tweed as the manager OF the De
narteut OF Public Works. by which these contracts and
suprcs are said TO have been authorized can give I'M
r,s, evidence on these points and Is the only person
L tt.rh MA mtg
liam, Uepnessey COOke-Sbo can tell the ways
On which these claims originated. Woodward was not
employed in the department. and he was not
slet iun when these Jobs carried through The