The New York herald., 1877-06-29
it looks as though that lead would be Har-


wards.
Attorney General Tafrchild's state-
mountaineering History OF the
Ring Cases.
We print this morning without abridg-
ment, the report of the Attorney General to
the Governor giving the history of his recent
connection with the Ring suits and his
reasons for not accepting Tweed's so-called
confession. This document will be read with
interest both for the fresh information it
on past transactions. It gives the inside
history Of several things of which the pub
lie has heretofore had but o vague general
knowledge Among other things Of
similar interest it presents the text
Of the agreement made by the law
officers of the State and city by which
Sweeny was guaranteed immunity from
arrest either on criminal prosecutions or
civil suits for thirty days after the conclu-
sion Of his trial--a curious document. It
gives the circumstantial report made to the
Attorney General by Mr. Peckham and his
associate counsel explaining the reasons OF
their compromise with Sweeny. Itcontains
interesting statements connected with, and
throwing light upon, the attempt OF Tweed
to get released from prison on proffer to
turn States evidence.
Even before Mr. Townsend's recent state
ment, and especially since, the public has
felt that Mr.. Fairchild needed vindication.
1t was thought that he had played fast
and loose with Tweed, encouraging
hopes which he meant to dis
appoint, and using confidential informa-
ton to promote political objects. After
reading his statement the public will con-
slider whether it has not reason to revise its
judgment It will be generally admitted
that he was we'll advised in declining to
make direct reply to Mr. Townsend.
In judging Of the suficiency Of Mr.. Fair
child's vindication the public is under the
disadvantage of being unable to compare
his statements with the actual confession.
Buff he has represented it unfairly it is in
the power of Tweed to expose any disingen-
uousness by giving the document to the
press. Until that is done it is courteous
to assume that the Attorney General has
not misrepresented its CONTENTS This officer
states that it contained nothing which would
be Of any value as evidence without corrobo-
ration, and that all his attempts to obtain
from Tweed such confrmatory proofs MS
would render his confession available in the
prosecution of other offenders resulted in
failure. Tweed was in the position of q
witness offering to sell his testimony
for q consideration. Testimony thus OBJ
tanned is always looked upon by courts
and juries with suspicion, and especially in
cases like that of Tweed, where it would con-
tradict his own previous statements given
under oath in court of justice. Without
corroboration no jury would give it much
weight. Mr.. Fairchild processes that he
had an anxiety to accept Tweeds proffer if
he could thereby have gained the means
of bringing other felons to justice,
but he declares that after all bis
efforts, he was unable to draw out from
Tweed anything which would have been Of
service in a trial II Mr.. Fairchild's judg-
ment on this point was correct it was not
merely his right but his duty to reject
Tweeds offer. He alleges that he took care
to keep Tweed in the dark as to the nature
of the testimony which he would have
deemed important, because Tweed had
shown symptoms Of a willingness to testify
to order if he could secure release. On
the main point of the propriety ofrejecting
Tweeds proposal to turn States evidence
the Attorney Generals statements must be
accepted, unless Tweed can show, by pub
fishing his confession, that his offer was
undervalued.
Mr.. Townsend's inculpation conveyed the
idea, by insinuations and innuendoes, in
deed, rather than by direct charges, that
Mr.. Tilden dictated and controlled the ac-
ton of the Attorney General. On this point
Mr.. Fairchild is very explicit. He declares
that the only point on which Mr.. Tilden gave
him specific advice was in counselling him
to see Mr.. O'Conor and to be guided by his
Judgment respecting the value of the confess
sion. This advice was followed, but Mr.
O'Conor pleaded age and infrmities and de-
clined to have any further connection with
the suits to which, in their earlier stages, he
had devoted SO much time and labor.
What Will the People Gain:
The Aldermen having authorized the trial
of ''noiseless steam engines" on the Third
avenue horse car line have deputized five of
their number who know as much about
otaovp on oi nes n about asfrnnomv to diract