The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-05-03
AaE6Fal
FWEED'S CONFESSION.
The Two Hundred Thousand Dollar Man
on the Stand-He Didn't Even Get the
Money in a Business Way-The
SsWOrld's" Editor Not Communicative.
New York, April 2S.

New York, April 29.
The Tweed confession as recently pub
lished contained the following: "Tht
person whose influence was most valu'
able Tweed considered to be State Sena'
tor VIM. B. Woodin, of Auburn. He
therefore, approached that gentleman
through State Senator Winslow, and after
several interviews with Senator Winslow
transferred to him in person 100000
with the understanding that it was tC
be used in securing the passage of the
charter"
Before the Senate Investigating Com
mittee to-day ex-senator Winslow testi
fed that it was understood between the
Republicans that they were to support
the charter in consideration of the Demo.
Gratis supporting the Registry bill. There
was a Republican caucus held and Horace
Greeley was present. He was anxious
about the Registry law, and wanted il
passed before the charter, as he said the
Democrats might cheat us in registry
law. Never heard of money being paid
to secure the passage Of the charter. Not
a farthing was paid witness, not prom
ise of money given him for vothing fol
the charter. Never received penny in
money, checks, or anything else connect
ed Herewith; witness saw the statement
in the W0 ID on the 18th inst. that $780,.
900 was placed in his hands to secure the
passage of the charter, and that the mon
ey was to be divided among other Sena-
tors, one of whom was VIM. B. Woodin.
This statement was false in every particu-
lar, and there was not one word of truth
or shadow Of truth in any part of it. He
never received any such money for any
such purpose, and never distributed a
cent to Senator Woodin or any other SEN
ator in his life never had conversation
with Senator Woodin about the Tweed
Charter. Did not understand that Gree
ley was opposed to the charter. Thought
he made speech in favor of it. The
registry bill was party measure-a sort
of compromise on the Charter bill. Wit
ness first became favorable to the charter
after the Republican caucus; he was in
fluenced by the caucus, and more particu-
larly by Mr. Greeley, in conversation with
him, by his articles in the Tribune, and
by letter from Greeley to witness. The
letter referred to was read. 1t is dated
March 81, 1870, and stated that at is in
dispensable that out of the present feuds
in the Legislature we get an honest cleo
ton law. That is our SHARE" says the
letter, "and we must not fail to secure it.
The bearer, Judge Waterbury, is Dem
ocrat of the anti-Tweed stamp who can
indicate the reforms which are needed,
pray you hear and heed him."
"WOrld" Editors Examined.
William Henry Hurlburt, of the World
testified that he was editor in chief of
that paper; he identified the extract from
that paper alleged to be the substance of
Tweed's confession he said he caused it
to be published, but did not know it to be
true; it came from Albany; the dispatch
was sent by the Worlds correspondents
there, Hiram Calkins and Mr.. Shanks;
uOUIluk VI IuG dlllClC was DOlL NY bllO
Attorney General; no person urged him
to publish this report, but it was done
with the object Of having the earliest and
best information possible it was a matter
of public rumor that Tweed was about
making confession telling all he knew
in talking with the gentleman in refer
ence to Halls going to London, the gen.
tleman remarked 1T will soon be appar-
ent that Hall shared in the profits of the
ring" The witness refused to give the
gentleman's name. Witness got part of
the information contained in the report
from gentleman who told him he had
seen the document called "Tweed's con-
fession," and had read its contents. The
witness declined positively to give the
gentleman's name. He did not know
that the statements published were true,
but he placed entire confidence in his
informants the statements regarding
Woodin were obtained solely from this
gentleman. The witness was closely
pressed for this gentleman's name but re-
fused to give it.
After recess Ballard Smith, the city ed
itor of the New York World was examin-
ed and testified to making up the article
referred to under the direction of Will
liam Henry Hurlburt. The witness de-
clined to state who else he consulted with
about the article, whether John Kelley
or M. c. Smith.
Ex-senator James Pierce of Brooklyn, |
testified to being a member of the Senate |
in 1863 -'69-'70.71. He denies emphati-
cally that he had any knowledge of mon
ey being paid by Tweed or any one else
to influence Legislative votes. He had |
heard rumors Of money being used and |
pools being made up to secure the passage |
of various bills, but knew nothing posi-
tive on the subject,
Jenkins Van SchaiCk was next examin-
ed and produced vouchers of Hugh Has
tings's account with Van SchaiCk & Co. |
Tweed's $4,000 check was deposited on
the 9th of April, 1870, by Hastings and
on the 10th of April check for S26 900
was paid to McKim Bros, they being
parties flom whom Hastings purchased
his house. Other checks on his account
were small and for business or household
purposes. Nelson ]. Waterbury testified
to going to Albany with S. ]. Tilden, A.
Fl. Green and G. 0ttendorfer in 1870 to
try and defeat the passage of the Tweed
charter. They did not succeed, how
ever.
The investigation was then adjourned
until tomorrow.