New-York tribune., 1877-06-15
UNTOLD RING HISTORY.
CONNOLLY'S FORMER EFFORT TO COM
PROMISE,


LY's noUsE-MRs. CONNOLLY PRODUCES MIL
LION FOR PAYMENT on THE sPoT-A DISAGREE
MRsT AND cOMMrTAL TO JAIL
Richard b. Connolly, then only few days
the sxControer OF this city, spent Thanksgiving Day
Nov 80, 1871, IN Ludlow Street Jail He had been ar
rested on Saturday previous, while in the Conroers
Office talking his affairs with Samuel j. Tiden ana
Acting Controller Andrew II. Green, ana trying
to arrange for a settlement which should save him from
Prison In with his chief confederates
Tweed Hail. and sweeny, he did not fully realize his
position still believed in the power OF money ana
political influence, and what to all OF them seemed I'M
possible to be overcome, the authority Of corrupt
judiciary, which in sympathy with their msdeeds,
aud which had shared largely In their crimes and their
plunder Connoys partially opened his eyes to
the truth that the links of the Ringchain had been
snapped asunder only his associates III the city
government who had divided with him the proceeds OF
fraud and the responsibility for their shameful
breach of trust and peculation of the peoples
money were powerless to help, but also that Mayor
Havemeyer, Mr. Tden, Mr.. Green, and Others called In
in his extremity to find way out for him were Obliged
in Difference 20 public opinion to make an example OF
him, and to hold him accountable for his acts as an
unathfu and dishonest public servant He entered the
Jail shortly after midnight and he was taken into the
best room paror, where he TO be held as pris-
oner he gave way to passionate Outburst Of sobs and
tears The friends who had accompanied him soon after
retired TO their homes and for the first time ne slept
under lock and key in the charge of the Sheriff in the
County Jail
The negotiations in progress for compromise OF
the suits against Connolly begun on his part through his
sonnaw exSurrogate Hutchings recall the first offer
for settlement made by the exCOntroer in 1871 When
arrested he from the New CourHousc to Del
mouicos, and afterward to the Hew-York Hotel The
city secured for ball. but 1t was found impossible TO
get bondsmen who could Justify in S1000000. In the
time public opinion was becoming stronger anu
lie IN
respectable be the bail bonds OF these men, In TINS
position Of affairs COnuoys counsel advised him 10 stop
fghting aud make for full surrender on the
best he could get from the prosecution Strange
as It'll may seeu he still unwilling to 90 this After
many hours Of consultation with his lawyers aud friends
he acceded their wishes, and preliminary negotiations
were begun with Charles OCOnOr and Wheeler III. Peck
ham. On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day,
1871 Connolly was driven in a carriage guarded by two
deputy sherifs to tic Offices OF the Municipal Reform
Association No. 1S Wall-st., where Mr.. OConor was
waiting for him. The Offices were separated by glass
doors Mr. O'COnor and the exCOntroer went into Quo
of them and began to talk soon Mr. oConor came ont
and pointing to Mr.. Fithian, Connoly's son-inlaw,
asked, WHO is her Upon being Informed, he said to
the deputy seriffs, Guard this outer door, Then he
returned Connolly and continued the conversation
Mr.. OConor pairing apple, aud was heard TO say
10 Connolly interest In this SGT ment
than have in this apple skin which you see me throw
away" Mr.. OConor again came out. in nervous aud
excabe way and asked OF the deputy sner1s II he
had sufficient force with him. Being assured
on this point, lie warned the sherfs to guard
carefully both DOORS MIR. O'Conor evidently feared
that an attempt would be made to take Connolly out Of
the hands Of the Sheriff The result of this Interview
was a Willingness Oh the ~rt of Connolly 10 return
81 600 600 To city treasury provided nc not sent
TO Jail. Another meeting agreed to for that evening
at Connoly's house. No. Az Park-ave. Connolly was
then taken back the NewYork Hotel and after dark
the hotel close carriage In the custody of the
deputy sheri, and entered his house prisoner
Mr. OCcnor Connoly's lawyers and Commodore c. X.
Garrison were there. Mr.. O'ConOr still
In fear OF trcachery on the part OF Connolly
and his friends. II had been whispered to the
prosecution that the st. Patrick's Alliance,
which had been organized IA benevolent society," but
which had been captured by the Ring politicians for po
tical purposes had promised to aid Connolly in making
escape from the Sheriff. Led by his doubts and fears,
Mr.. OConor went down stairs into the basement, and
there found a number Of men assembled He inquired
OF each there his name, residence, and business.
Most of them in COnnolys employ, and Mr. OConor
warned them not to interfere with the officers of the
law. He then up stairs in much excitement, and
said lie believed the conference trap to give an
opportunity for ConnOlly's rescue" He Informed
by the Sheriff that there likelihood
| of such attempt being made, and that
he the Sheriff. was prepared for any emer-
| gency. The consultation then proceeded IN the
small room adjoining the front paror Mrs Connolly
conducted the negotiations for her husband There
talk Of - 100000, but IL was pleaded Connolys
behalf that his share of the stolen money small
pared with the received by Others that
81 100000 would than make good his proportion.
The facts developed by subsequent invest igatOns
then KNOWN and seemed at the ncred
blc that any member of the Ring could have
quired than $l,O000OO by OF these frauds
upon the city treasury. Ii began grow late ana after
nsS ma SP 80 W ~ ~ nnn G8o MI MI sei % a. n - ,,n,,1y to
| come from This settled. Mrs. Connolly
anxious to nave her husband free from the watch
OF the deputy shcfs, aud TO prevent his going JAIL
She said the money was In the house ana nothing should
stand in the 0f husbands liberation. she i
medately went up stairs aud from safe IN their
the second floor size took United States bonds and
securities Tor the ill amount she then returned 10 the
parlOrs where the lawyers sitting with her
fun OF the securities and laid them the table. The
sight of these bonds put the prosecuting attorneys on their
guard on the instant They that this amount
must represent only portion OF COnn0lys unlawiuiy
acquii ed wealth. Mrs. Connolly asked receipt iu
ana d.scOutnuance OF the civil and criminal proceed
ings. Mr.. OCOnor willing to accept II 100000
payment on account aud Ia consent COnnoys release
but said should urter bring light
frauds the treasury not then know ia which the
Controller w.' Implicated, the authorities could not
| renquish their right sue him for the
covery of any stolen moneys which might be traced TO
Mrs. Mrs. Connolly %as not satlsaed di with these
conditions. Further talk the subject only
widcued the disagreement between them MI. OCOnOr
became angry. Mrs. Connolly up great pile OF
bonds and securities IN her aud carried them back
To the second hOOr After further Intellectual attempt
to reconcile differences political friend or two Con
nollys having by this time joined the party negotiations
broken or and the persons present separated amid
much excitement Connolly and family supposed he
would be taken back 10 the hotel but ON The whispered
order Of the deputy sheriff In charge the driver the
carriage turned into the Bowery, and midnight sounded
| from the church bells the party reached Ludlow
Connolly, il IL well known remained IN the jan unti
the beginning OF the new year. when he was released
ball. and the proceedings subsequently set aside by
the Court Of Appeals, enabling him to gel away before
new could be begun. Mrs. Connolly is now IN tho
city il is understood the purpose Of aiding in So
|