The New York herald., 1877-03-17
PETER B..
Astonishment in New York Over
Sweeny's Return.
"A BRIGADE OF KNOW NoTHlNGs
The Suits Which the Ex.Tammany
Leader viii Contest

created great deal of excitement throughout the city
among all classes but particularly in political
circlcs. In the clubs, At the hotels, aud the
great centres OF trade scarcely anything else was
talked OF during the day. and much speculation as
to the effect OF the OF the ex-City
chamberlain and Park Commissioner was in
dulged. Although his coming announced
some time ago and might, therefore, have bccn cx-
pectcd, It's publication seemed to take everybody by
surprise Tho excitement over the Presidential ques-
tion had caused the public to lose sight for Of
circumstance which q less excited period would
have been discussed daily from the announcement OF
the arrangement until the arrival Of the iugtvefor
such Mr Swoeny virtually was. Not few OF
his old friends yesterday discredited tho statement
that he had arrived this city So carefully tho
arrangements been made for the preservation the
secret, and SO we'll they carried out that not
oven relatives OF the returned wanderer knew Of his
arrival until they II chronclcd in the
the HERALD. Many who had known Mr.. Swoeny in
She days of his could scarcely DO convinced that
he who had slipped away so quietly i've years ago
could come back unrccognized-a quiet cabin pas
Senger tho modest tito Of "Monsieur Sweeny'
and mako his way unknown to the homo OF his
brother in-law Finding the secret out, however,
and harassed by lhe many callers the announcement
brought Mr.. Sweeny's friends wcro obliged to admit
his arrival but stated to all that he could not possibly
any It was given out that he tired after
his journey it generally thought that he wishes
10 consult with his counsel aud determine what
hc will pursue in reference to tho coming trial. and
he complications which may arise from his testifypg.
In the various places where politicians congregate the
coming back Of thc brains Of the Ring" afforded food
for much speculation, and many surmises in
dulged in as to the arrangement undor which he has
been permitted to revisit his native Some
OF the OPINION that his testimony would clear his
reputation from the charge Of completely in the Ring
frauds and would also involve the elimination Of per-
sons who as yet have been unsupported
Others contended that he would ''gve any,
thing away" but would simply MAINTAIN as his defence
the statements made in his to the complaint in
the suit In question which fled in October,
1874 In that he claims TO have been ignorant that
claims indorsed by him were fraudulent, and that he
did not as stated receive ten per cent of the stolen
moneys The general sentiment about town yesterday
seemed to DO that sweeny, heartily tired Of exie and
longing to settle down At homo again, would accedo
10 any proposition OF the prosecution which would per-
NIT him that privilege. There consequently great
irepidaton among many who have to fear the
exposure OF their connection, direct indirect with
the plunderers OF the Ring. There was something in
the mystery attending tho iugtt,vc's and the
conditions Surrounding II that excited tho dread Of
these.
Everybody interested In the suit, either for the
prosecution or the defence, will be by tho
ports below declares his entire ignorance Of the stpu
lations under which returned except
that no has been guaranteed immunity from arrcst.
Among those informed 1t believed that the whole
matter left open pending Mr. sweeny's
arrival, as even his counsel could not have
been fully informed as TO the situation Of
bis client, as consultations by mail between two
continents necessarily awkward, slow and unsat-
isfac,ory II is believed that Mr.. Peckham and Mr.
McKeon representing the two parties, arranged that
Mr. Sweeny should arrive here-as he has-a fortnight
before tho trial should be called and that after
sutng with his counsel conference should DO held
with Mr. Peckham or tho Attorney General which
would possibly lead 10 a compromise. general
impression prevails in legal circles that there Is a
proposition under consideration by which all the Ring
suits may be discontinued, and that Mr.. Swcenys
prescuce essential to the maturing Of that plan.
delinquents speculative politicians and tho public at
large will probably have to curb their curiosity and
content 10 learn the intentions OF those concerned
from their action
Therei Is little doubt that Mr.. Sweeny passed yeser-
day the residence Of his brothcr-in.aw Mr. Brad
ley No l4O West Thrty-iourth street, where he re-
NAMED IN entire scclusion.
A representative OF tho HERALD called at Mr. Brad
lcy's during the evening The door opened by
servant girl. who looked inquiringIy at the HERALD
man.
'lsMr Bradley at homer"
'well c9n SOC Mr. Swecay, then he will do as we'll
as MIR. Bradley"
The girl hesitated moment and answered.
@No, SIR, guess not MIR. Sweeny Is out"
mr. PECKHAx SILENT.
Mr.. Wheeler H. PeckhAm, who represents tho At
torney General In the ending suit stated yester-
day that he had known nothing OF Mr.. sweeny's ar.
rival until be saw II IN tie HERALD He had knowl.
edge to what the result OF that gentlemans test-
mony would be, and, IN fact knew little less about
the generally than the average citizen. He po-
lcly declined furnish a copy Of the stipula-
tions under cover OF which Mr. sweeny had returned.
AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE
Assistant District Attorney Russell, when asked by
HERALD reporter yesterday afternoon what light he
sweeuy, replied that he knew nothing more about
Dir. Sweeny's return than he had read in yes
terday's HERALD. The article referred to was
Mr.. swceny was town. He knew nothing OF MIR.
swceny's movements personally. Tho suits in which
Peter B. Sweeuy was concerned were all IN charge OF
Mr. wnccisr II. peckham, Mr. Russell had very little
10 With them and could give no definite information
CHARLES o'coSoR KNOWS NOTHING.
representative Of tho HERALD called on Mr. Charles
OConor yesterday 10 ask him whether any compro-
mise was contemplated witc the defendants in tho
ring SUITS and whal, II any, Indictment offered
Pe.or B. sweeny to bring him back from Europe.
III have nothing whatever to do with what arc called
the ring suits, and havc not had tor some months
90 OF course know nothing at all about The matter"
DAVID DUDLEY FIELD WON'T TALK.
HERALD reporter called yesterday afternoon at tho
Office of Mr. David Dudley Field, in Pine street, to
ascertain hat influence Peter b. SwceDys return TO
this city light have the old Boss's pending fa,c
how much Twccd's crisis might have had to do in
bringing back TO New York the ''hrains OF the Ring"
Mr.. Field promptly replied IN answer to the questions
put to fiim, ~ will not say word adding that under
the he ought TO be excused from speak
Ing
OLD NAN LUDLOW STREET DUMB.
II might have been supposed that at Ludlow Street
Jail there would have been accum ulaton OF excite
mcnt but here, in truth, the point which seemed
10 satisfy that rcnnysonian description oil intensity
exclusively announced Mr. Swecnys arrival, and the
early readers OF the journal had connected It with
the fortunes Of their nephbor; and 50
there was something OF excitement among the
inmates OF the prison. Would Mr. Swecny call was a
question of discussion, but IN truth, his absence or
presence did not appear TO be matters OF vast import
II was supposed that Mr.. Sweeny would have called
OF his old friend during tho day. but tho late arrival
did not put In an appearance. Young Mr. Tweed, how
waited on his father, and remained with him hail
hour, and IN the evening Mr. Richard Tweed paid a
lengthened visit 10 the distinguished prisoner, and
AoIa laiaa min