The New York herald., 1877-09-07
William M. Tweed Before the AL
dermanic Committee.
HE TELLS A STARTLING TALE
How the Old Supervisors Managed
Elections and Finances.
"BRIGGS. MYSELF AND ROCHE"
Oecadence Of the First and Formation OF q
Second Rins-Implicated Parties.


Il was generally understood among tho local poll.
ticaus yesterday that william H. Tweed would ''tak"
when brought before the Aldermen's cvnmittes oil In
vcstgation and in consequence there was very large
attendance In the chamber OF the Board yesterday
afternoon awaiting the arrival Of the ex-Boss Tweed
and the disclosures might were tho topics Of
conversation IN every little OF politicians who
gathered about the City Hall In the morning, and II 10
not surprising that the desire hear his revelations
should he the paramount feeling OF the hour II won'
der what the old mans got TO say for himself" one
politician remarked, and another answered, 'You
might well ask what he's gong 10 say OF other
people," 'Tweeds going to talk ut last was on every
tongue aud there little trepidation over the
revelations he might make. ls he going TO tell all ne
knowss'' asked by more than one anxious local
statesman, and as the time for his appearance ap-
preached the anxiety seemed grow more intense
Mr. Tweed arrived at the City Hall few minutes
before Two O'clock accompanied by his son. General
William NJ Tweed Jr., and escorted by Major Quincy
and Mr.. McGonige, Of the Sherin's ONCE. He was
brought from the Jail In a close cirrage, and, on
arriving, taken at once 10 the chamber occupied
by the committee, Messrs. Lewis Sievn and Cowing
In appearance he calm and scl'-posscssed and
seemcd in excellent health Beng shown TO seat at
The left OF the committee, between tho two Sherin's
officials he was soon joined by his counsel, Mr. Jonn
~. u
scene SO commonplace In itself, regarded with
much interest by the spectators for was felt that II
The man who hau been summoned to talk by tho
Board OF Aldermen would consent to tell even part
bt what he knew his revelations might strike In
very unexpected places Few of his old conreres
present however to hear what he might
have 10 reveal the politicians OF the new regime alone
being represented In the Aidermauic chamber.
OPENING
There delay IN beginning the examination
after the witness and his counsel botn present
boiore the committee Tho proceedings began with
the readings the Of the previous meeting
Clerk Muguire after which Tweed sworn by Alder
Lewis. He took the oath standing with upited
hand and then resumed his seat 10 await whatever
questions might be propounded to him. The Boss
vas examined by Assistant Corporation Counsel Cole
He gave his testimony In quiet tone, but with the
snap peculiar to bis delivery At rst there was moth
ing TO excite unusual interest, the questions and an
swers relating 10 Mr.. Tweeds nativity and tho differ
en offices he had filled, but after all these things had
been detailed Mr.. Cole asked him whether there was
combination in the Board OF Supervisors while he was
member OF 1t. ''rhero was, Tweed answered, and
sensation OF pleasure passed over tho assembagc tor
how olt that something important was to come.
TELLING THE STORY.
moment later. however IT was not SO certain that
Tweed would tell the story or telling ~ make IL worth
The heariug Tor when he was asked whether the com
bnatlon originally Tor illegal purposes he promptly
answered, at was not" A ht,lc questioning, how
unexpected turn 10 the examination, and
II WAS learned tor the first time In the history OF the
Rug frauds that the Tweed Ring had It's inception In
The purchase OF a republican Supervisor by comblna
lion oil the democrats In the Board, who wanted TO
appoint all democratic inspectors of elections. When
asked who The supervisor was Mr. Tweed dcmurred on
The ground that he was dead and that no interest
would Dc served IN telling his name; but Mr. Cole In
sisted. and tpe answer was given, Voorhees-l don't
There was ssnsaon voorhecs remark ed an ol
fellow among the spectators ''Ob remember him-a
stonecut.~r in the Ninth ward. Came here FIRST
about "a, was in the Board OF Assistant Aldermen
then but was an Alderman ten years later. He be
came Supervisor 1888" Then came The names Of
Walter Roche, Elijah f. PURIFY, John r. Briggs Isaac
q. Bell wnam q. Conner (,hough as TO the TWO last
named Tweed not certain) and Tweed himself.
1t was interesting scxlet, certainly, and 1t was
scarcely less Interesting as years passed by and new
Frs, Henry Smith. in 1864 and then John Fox, in
1865; jimmy Hayes IN 1856, and Andrew a. Blakey
and Isaac j. oliver IN 1863 The story IS one OF suc
singular interest that Mr. Tweed must be allowed TO
tell 1t IN detail, question ard answer, as tho whole
thing was revealed TO the Aidermanc committee
THE EXAMINATION BkGUN.
Tho chairman having called the meeting TO order
Assistant Corporation Counsel Cole said:-"I pre-.
proceed to the examination Of the witness Tweed, If
II meets the approval ol the committee.
MIR. William NJ. Tweed was then sworn and ex-
ahmed by Mr.. Colo as fOows:-
Y. Mr. Tweed, l believe you arc not a native OF the
city ol New Yorks A. am, SIR.
q, When did you first enter into public fe9 A. In
1862, think, sir.
.. Did you hold Office In 1892 A. was Alderman
O. What other ofnces have you held in the city and
county oil New York; A. supervisor, Commissioner
u the Board Of Education and Representative IN Con
O. VIII you be kind enough to state during what
period you held each OF hese Offices respectively
A. Adorman, 1852 and 1858; mcmber of Congress
from Atm OF March, 1898, to 4tn OF March, 1855; men-
bcr OF the Bourd OF Education IN 1856 and 1851; mem
per OF the Board OF Supervisors from 1857 10 1870,
and State Senator from 1867 TO 1871, inclusive; was
also Deputy street COMMISSIONER from 1868 TO 1870.
ana Commissioner OF PuUic Works from 1870 10 1871
q. You were "a member Of the Board OF Supervisors
from the year 1851 TO the year 1S70y a. Yes, SIR
q. As tnc law then stood what were the duties OF
The Board 0! Supervisors OF tns county with refer.
ence to nnancial matters? A. II took charge OF all
county matters and raised the tax.
q Well, now, referring to the Board Of Supervisors
duriLg the time you were member OF IT was there
any combination or understanding between auy OF the
members OF that Board? A. TDere was.
q With reference to the conduct OF the Affairs OF
Ihe Board? A. There
.. Was that combination for illegal purpose
A. II was not
q Was IT in any way q political combination; was
or any poiicai purpose-to further the ends OF any
poilticui party. A. In II measure IT was.
U VIII you now please state exactly what that CON-
binaton was formed for A. The orglual conibina-
hon was 10, the purpose OF appointing inspectors OF
slcction.
q Tell US about thatg A. We wcro all very anxious
about II; law was passed by tho Legislature giving
authority to the Board OF Supervisors TO appoint in
spectors o! election; think tnat 1899 1850
1889 thluk II WIS; the democrats made combina
ton with one republican that he should be away on
the day oi The appointment OF inspectors.
T. Vas tnat arrangement one which contemplated
the payment OF money TO that person who stayed
away A. understood that II did, although don't
know positively.
TIM MISSING KEpUBLcAS
q Who is the individual that stayed awayf A. He
s deau now, and think II ID hardly worth who 10
mention hls name; don't think 1t will advance any
Interest To mention his name.
Mr. Cole--wel, aiI TO see why because ne is dead
that question should not be answered
Mr.. Tweed hero consulted with his lawyer MI
Townsend, for short time and then said:If you in
BIS, upon II Will answer that question, but prefer
hot.
Mr. Coe--I 10 Insist; think YOU had better answer
Dir. Twced--Do you say must answer?
Mr.. Colc-Ycs.
Mr.. Twced--Hs name was Voorhees,
~ Give his full name, peaseY A. Peter r.; don't
recoiect his full name, but think II was Peter r.
O. lie was member ot the Board? A. He was.
a. who we're the other members that made that
aryangeinunt with hni--the democratic ncmbcrsf A.
All tIe democratic members at thut time; don't
Know all their names but viii mention whom think
o. Tell whom you remember? A. Walter Roche
was one | know; kiuah =. Purdy, John X. Briggs,
myself ard thns, william g. Conner aud Isaac Bell,
although | don't know that: would not bc positive
about tuat the records Of the Board viii show all the
democratic Supervisors
L. ,t.u l,