New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-06-08
CONNOLLY ASKS FOR PEACE

CONNOLLY ASKS FOR PEACE
HE PROMISES RESTORATION PROVIDED lie IL PER-
MITTED TO RETURr 10 DIE IN NEw-YOsK
1t is physical and mental mpossibility for tho
Ring thieves 10 endure their exile abroad. Ono
after one they return. First Woodward, then
Sweeny, and now Connolly asks that he may be
Permitted to come back and die in New-York rather
than enjoy Injury in Europe. Next year Hall will
probably ask the same privilege.
!. has been known for some time past that nego
tiations in progress for settlement Of the
Ring suits against ex-Controer Richard B. Con.
molly, bat THE TRIBUNE has been forbidden by ito
niormants to publish the fact Ex-Surrogate Rob
crt c. Hutchings, who is of his sons-inlaw rs-
turned from Europe recently in.rusted with com.
mission from Connolly to the Attorney-Gencrai and
others representing the prosecution 20 make terms
for settlement by the surrender of a large portion
OF the wealth unawfully acquired BY him through
the manipulation of city bills by the late County
Auditor WATSON. The negotiations are said to have
taken place at DelmoncO's. and after remaining in
this city less than week, but having in that time
had protaacted interviews with all the counsel foI
the people and with many Of the leading politicians
Dir. Hutchngs huTriedly returned TO Europe 10 lay
before his father-inlaw the situation OF affairs Mr.
Hutchings takes back with him an expression Of
money settlement and final disposition Of the Rna
eases. Connolly was tbe only one Of all the mem.
bers Of the Ring who got away with all his booty.
This was IN consideration OF his surrender Of his
Office to Andrew II. Green who was Mr.. 1ilden's
agent. Connoiy's appointment Of Green as his dep
ary was III consideration of 1idens protection.
Soon afteTward Connolly fed to Europe
lie was not incumbered with much real
estate, but had invested the greater part of bis
Ring dividends in United States bonds which were
taken to Europe by his and one of his sons-n-
law 1t is sad by those familiar with his mode Of
life in exile in Switzerland that lie has been prn
dent, and has not squandered his immense fortune
obtained from the City Treasury. Persons who have
knowledge of the reasons which control the settle
ments with the Ring thieves which have already
been made say that the politicians are getting
frightened at the enormous expense of conducting
:he Ring suits, and they also impressed with tie
Importance Of getting more complete control, by
suppression of the facts of eyideI CT which involve,
n great number Of useful persons OF al parties
Twecd's statement Is said TO cut every direction
and il Is being used TO compel restitution from all
sorts Of persons either in money political consid
crations. The politicians who now run the
Ring suits, led by Mr. Tdon, are becoming
satisfied that the extrayagant bills of ac
countauts and others for their services, in add.
tIoa to the lawyers fees. Amounting TO many
Thousands Of dOllars-while no one Is punished
except Tweed-aTe producing n reaction in the
public mind and thai the wiscst course will De 70
accept promptly settlement with Connolly and
Others provided ample restitution is ma le and sub
stantal results shown in the deposit Of large sums
Of conscience money in the City Treasury. A
prominent local politician in speaking of Tweed
S@ec1y, and Connolly lately. save expires. on To his
cell Ia IN no.
These men are dead socially and politically. Let
Us force item TO put the money they have stolen
back into tha City Treasury and leave their punish
meEt TO q higher power COnncilys intense desire
to retrn to this country Is the reason assigned for
his opening negotiations.
The amount demanded of Connolly is in excess Of
any sum required OF any OF the other Ring men ex-
ocpt Tweed but then ii is known that Connolly
and Tweed stole more largely than any of the
Others. Tweed got - per cent; Connolly 20;
Peter y. Swseny, 10 IN his brother James's name.
and possibly much more in Hugh Smiths name;
while Hall GOT 10 per cent and at times only per
cent. But Connolly had other means OF enrichlng
himself; the markets, for instance were his special
preserves, and he defauded the dealers therein in
every imaginable way. HIS Accommodations in this
indirect way almost rs large as his plunder In
the Board of Audit frauds.
men III lust daWhed upon the Ring mat they had
TO settle Tweed offered through Is. q. JayDe-who
at that time was robbng the merchants of New
York uDler the guse of Special Agent OF the
Ireasury-,o restore S3,0OO00O. Connolly made .
proposition through Commodore Garrison TO restore
100000. Sweeny proposed in a most generous
and gard0quent manner 10 pay back all that his
brother James had tahen. Very small fractions OF
these amounts have thus far been recovered, and
half of all Il; tllly paid into the City Treasury has
been expended III expenses of suits which the Do
feated ought 30 have been required 30 pay The de-
mand Connolly viii probably exceed the sum
originally proposed by him. His property bas
greatly accumulated since he has been in exile and
he is better able to pay 1000 900 now chan lie was
to pay 81, 100000 in 1872.