The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-06
7WEED'S POSITION.
The Hitch in The Arrangements for Ending
t~ His Incarceration.
HE MUST PAY AND TALK
Attorney General Fnirchild Insists that the
Boss" Shall Testify or Suffer.

Day aitor day goes BY without any apparent action
on the part Of William ~ Tweed. his counsel. or tho
representatives OF the prosecution The delay In tho
submission by John d. Townsend OF propositions for
tho settlement OF the So 600 900 judgment and the
three original Indictments which would liberatc his
client from ssCastle Ludlow has boon caused by
unexpected obstacle encountered by tho friends Of
Tweed their efforts to got the matter into suitable
shape for presentation tho Attorney General his
representative Mr.. Wheeler H. peckham. That the
obstacle, whatever II may DO, was not expected Is ev-
dent from tho fact that in the early OF last week
Mr. John d. Townsend stated TO tho writer that no
would have his proposition ready for submission In
few days Now he declares that no form idea
to when he will submit It. That no obstacle hes
been thrown in the way by tho prosecution s made
clear by tho statement OF Mr. Pockham that neither he
nor the Attorney General has had any communication
with Tweed or his counsel in relation to tho matter
since Whatever the work may DO the carry
ing out OF which Is causing the delay IL
il apparently being performed without any
direct assistance from Mr.. Townsend. That
work must have reference to ethor ono OF the two
things required by the prosecution in satisfaction for
his crimes-namey, to the property which he must
restore the information he must give concerning
the other members of tho famous "Ring'' and thor
exploits In buying legislators and robbing the people
generally.
WHAT CAUSES THE HALT.
That the preparations being made by Tweed and his
friends do not refer to the property requstion
probable because since tho ''Boss' proposed to
mako siu surrender Of his worldly goods TO the
people no had robbed tho property and its condition
have boon under consideration, and must have been
thoroughly understood when Mr. Townsend
nounccd confidently last week that the proposition
almost ready for submission to tho authorities
There remains, then, but the theory that Mr. Tweed
nd ia friend have m W oma in a
matter of coating evidence against his old associates
and the corrupt in different parts Of tho county
and State government who were subject TO their in
fuence Whether the exTammany chief is now engaged
IN digging out testimony Of this nature against mon
whose connection with the Ring has thus far been
suspected, whether the submission OF his propo-
sition been delayed by appeal for mercy from
unsupported peculator whose name was about TO
appear in tho proposal can only be conjcctured
Meanwhile, far the authorities are concerned,
tho whole matter stands Just where did last Dccem
Der, whom MIR. Tweed wrote the recently published
letter to Charles OConor Offering to make "a full sur
render" II he were liberated. There many per-
who hold that the reason A. Oakley Hall ran away
because he heard OF that letter just before its
publication and feared that whom Mr.. Tweed should
keep his word certain facts duplicating him in the
crimes OF tho Ring would DO brought to the knowl-
edge Of the authorities. Mr. Townsend, counsel for
Mr. Tweed, and Mr.. Wheeler II. Pockham, represent.
ing the prosecution each assert that $50 far as no
knows' Mr. Hall would not be affected by any state
mont Mr. Tweed might make.
WHAT is A FULL suRRENDsRf
Attorney General Fairchlld was IN town yesterday
attending to some business in connection with tho
Eclectic Lie Insurance Company case, and was inter-
viewed by HERALD reporter at the Buckingham Hotel
While he remained deaf to any query touching matters
under consideration IN his Office Mr. Fairchild spoke
Tb the s
Acknowledgment obtained against Mr. Tweed In the
Inii audu tha tiafn Of n
basis OF the proposed settlement with him Is his own
letter 10 the former senior counsel for the
Charles O'Conor, proferng full surrender. Ho was
given understand that proposition Of that kind
setting forth just what no would surrender would be
considered by the prosecution, and we are now await
ing its submission.
''what would you consider full surrender, Mr..
~ am not prepared 10 state tho precise amount OF
money we should insist upon the restitution Of II
TO bear fair proportion tho amount stolen. But
would never consent to bis liberation merely upon the
81 s nsed upS s Of
county and OF tho whole State cannot be atoncd for by
money merely Not only did l be and the clique Of
they impaired the morals OF the whole people, and by
their shameless and criminal intrigucs and Jobs cor
ruptcd and brought dishonor upon every department
OF the government, Including even tho judiciary. This
dishonor must DO wiped out by the apprehension and
punishment OF the offenders. In short the only
dton on which we shall the liberation OF Mr..
Tweed is that he shall turn States evidence and make
full and frce confession OF all the schemes which
he was implicated"
HE MUST SPEAK OUT. tsI
Suppose he submits TO you statement which pur
ports 10 all he knows. and that should crmi-
nate anybody would you accept that, Mr. Farchld? ~
.Assuredy not II, upon examining , the propose.
IN court Of tho statements furnished We shall simply
decline the bargain and the law must take its course.
They make the proposition; II s for US to accept
decline as see ft There can be doubt that Mr..
Tweed knows many things which would BIO Of service
court and II he docs not make fair statement of
them will DO to see that be- az least shall
me ut in this city regarding his caseY'
Tho reporter intimated that opinion WINS divided
bs weod had enoua
Can II BIO possible" said Mr.. Farchild, "that they
have forgotten the terrible state Of affairs that existed
SIX years ago when tho county, and indeed
the entire State, was In the hands OF Tweed and his
followers? Why IL almost makes ones blood run cold
to think of It, poor devil who steals 500 Is sent to
State Prison and thinks OF letting him of even
II he the full stolen and II is certainly
strange If there are people who want to SEQ liberated
the man who only robbed them but dishonored
them and lett a record in the history OF the state
Grafton. However that may be, am responsible in
tho matter and shall not assent to letting William N.
Tweed out at the present time merely because some
people seem 10 favor IT, In any event II should
listen tho voice OF such partial sentiment and,
acting upon IL should , 50 wrong only those who did
apo you think Mr.. Tweed Will spend the Fourth OF
July. in Ludlow Street jail Z" asked the reporter.
III am sure don't know. We shall whit a reason
able time and thcn-wel have not considered tue
matter beyond that"
SWELL If you not SEQ III TO accept the terms Mr..
Tweed offers, then suppose you Will notify the Dis
tic Attorney and have him placed on trial under tho
criminal indctmcntsY"
.sYes; suppose IL would be desirable to have him
convicted in The Oyer and Tcrmner, but have not
considered that matter Tho sentiment you spoke Of
Inclined to let him OF easy because his colleagues
have suffered is absurd II only one member OF a
gang of burglars is sent 10 State Prison they do not
SGT him ireo because they catch the others Mr.
Tweed must either help to catch his partners in
quit or consent 10 bear his own Of tho punish
Inent.n
ais IL true, has been stated, MT Fairchiid, that
you have evidence tending 10 provo that large sum
oi money paid TO certain members OF tho Legsla-
ture helping 10 pass the notorious charter under
which so much corruption was cloakcdf"
mo- have evidence OF that nature. have
pretty lively suspicious, but OF course would be I'M
proper them without substantiaton Tell the
people 60 wait ana see ~