The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-04-19
The Tweed Confession.

The summary Of Tweed's statement, as 1t
appeared in the World yesterday, created
intense excitement here, and called out
statements from several gentlemen whose
names appear The attorney general says
he has not read Tweed's statement through,
and does not know whether he will make it
public at all or not He calls the news
paper report a rather sensational article.
Mr., Townsend, Twee1s lawyer, says the
World report was not obtained from him,
neither had the writer read the confession
given to the attorney general. There was
no mention of Judge Folger or any other
member Of the court Of appeals 10 the doc
ument. Several other names which appear
in the pretended confession are not men
toned in the real one. Mr.. Townsend said
the points truthfully touched upon by the
pretended confession had been frequently
mentioned in the newspapers, excepting
one or two which had probably been OBJ
taincl from some of Tweeds friends.
STATEMENTS OF TIE ACCUSED.
Senator Woodn says he does not believe
any such confession has been made by
Tweed. He was glad, however, that the
charges which had been made against him
10 vague way for years were now stated
in such shape that he could meet them. lie
regarded it as an excellent opportunity to
brush away forever all the dust of insinu-
alton that had been blown against him for
years.
Senator Francis NJ. Bixby, speaking in
relation 10 the promise of immunity to
Tweed in consideration of the payment Of
ex-Sheriff O'Briens claim of $500, 900 says
he never made any such promise. He be-
lieved Tweed bought the claim in hope of
silencing O'Brien, fearing the latter knew
more about the ring villainies. The con-
sidcration was, as stated, 100000, and the
remainder in mortgages. Tweed and Con-
molly bought the claim jointly.
Mr.. Alvord, who was a member of the
assembly which passed the Tweed charter,
says that he was induced to vote for it, af-
ter he saw that it would be surely carried,
by the promise that some legislation pre-
judicial to the republican party would be
abandoned.
Mr.. Hustled, also member, said that the
charter was believed to be good charter
when it was before the assembly, and first
met with opposition in the senate. Upon
its final passage only four republicans and
one democrat opposed 1t. The bill passed
the senate with only two votes against it
Senator Gone of New York and Senator
Thayee of Troy.
l. V. Baker, the only member of that
legislatures now here, said that the republi-
can leaders Of the day approved of the bill.
He was a new member, not knowing any
thing about New York, and accordingly
voted for it.
The attorney general called on Judge
Folger yesterday afternoon, aud stated
that Tweed made no mention Of him,
either as judge or legislator, in his confess
sion. He had previously remarked to him
in conversation, however, that during his
Albany life there were no members of the
senate except Folger, Chapman and few
others, with whom he did not have in
fluence. Tweed also stated to him that
Folger was a most formidable opponent,
and by his influence secured the defeat of the
Broadway surface railway bill. AS judge
and of the alleged counting In of Judge
Folger, Tweed declared he knew nothing.
az a legislator. His experience with him
then was brief, MIR. Folger serving with
him in the legislature only during the years
1868 and 1879. In the fall of 1869 Mr..
Folger was again elected senator, but was
appointed United States treasurer at New
York shortly afterward, and resigned his
Office. His successor was elected in time
to serve in the legislature of 1870, which
posed the celebrated Tweed charter.