The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-22

rupt legislators could be held under attachment.
sHREwD coRRrpToSisTs
'Somebody IN the Ring very cunning. and de-
vsed a method OF corruption designed to defeat tho
operation Of the law In this exact particular. The
Ring did not pay lobbyists corrupt legislators with
any money directly received from Koyser other
new Court House people. Their plan TO
raise the legislative corruption fund by discount OF
their notes which were then considered AL
everywhere, especially many Institutions which
owed their being or prosperity to Rug iavors. The
banks in New York who would have refused 10 DIS
count William NJ Tweed's motto al that time might
have been counted on any one's right hand. So tho
Ring paid the lobbyists and trading members not with
tho percentages in carpsting pastor:ng but with
the legitimate proceeds Of their notes OF
at the next meeting OF tho Board OF Audit The thug
was nxed aud each rirgster got his reim-
bprsoment IN time 10 tho note, w.th
royal interest Now the trouble was that
the statute only allowed the attachment OF
property purchased with money corrup.ly obtained
from the State or from municipalities. None OF the
lobbyists or Of the legislators supposed alleged to
be affiliated with the Ringns tor instance, Abraham
Van Vechtsn, A. u. Barber, or Senator Wood,
Senator Graham--had any property which strictly
came under this Law. because 1t was not purchased
with moneys derived from the State, but simply with
individual loans. This Mr.. Fatrchilds first diff
Guilty; but on consideration OF tho Twocd-Townsend
conversations there was very little Of value under any
circumstances In them, whether this difficulty
was obviated or not In this way the
Attorney General was defeated In his pet project
OF breaking up tho lobby system at Albany BY de-
priving Tho leading Ring lobbyists Of the they
had corrupiy acquired Perhaps after long litigation
his object might have been accomplished but under
the Indefinite Tweed statements there certainty
~ ii.
rwxED's CONTRADICTIONS
Subsequent to the above interviews talked with
gentleman conversant with the politics OF the Stale
during and since the Tweed regime. He said:-
at is marvellous to me how the opponents Of
Tweed's release have overlooked the glarng
discrepancies between his sworn statements In tho
old Ring suits and his story as represented in
the published abstract of his proposed testimony
on release. In the so-caled statement Tweed states
that he has and lists showing the de-
tails Of the corrupty paid influence legislation,
and gives statements referring the particulars Of
those transactions. Now, you Will turn to tho
ate Documents Of the State OF New York, vol 8,
Nos. "a to 50, of1S72, you will fnd that IN the Wood
investigation Tweed's sworn testimony was in direct
contradiction OF all he now says. have the boox
here, but 1t would take too mach time quote IL
tensively. One instance will suffice. Take quotation
Ames asks, and Tweed answers us follows--
BY Senator AAks-Q. or course all know that there
are World Of runner. II regard 70 the action 81 those whom
last three or four years Albany has been stated that
Or az
and OF the that had been expended to cgs
wish to a You whether any such exists or ever
WILLIAM N. TWEED Not that know Of
"Now, is It possible" continued the gentleman,
Ito find direct contradiction than that botween
this statement and the assertions OF the So
called Tweed statement as given to the publcf Do
you remember the Tweed affidavit In tho Foley case
before Judge Barrett in 1915 II you will hunt It up
you will find even more explicit disclaimer on
Tweods part OF any knowledge OF any bribery
ruption in the State Legislature. Now, l have never
spoken 10 the Attorney General about any OF those
matters but don't how ne could take the loose
memoranda which furnished him by Townsend as
conclusive against Tweed's repeated statements
sufficient for letting him Of jail
expectation that he would divuigo something Sup
posing Tweed II released, CHI TO couarm his previ-
Gus oaths where would the State be then2 or course
II me- on the other hand should now swear in direct
contradiction OF his previous testimony what jury
would believe him HIS present testimony would be
supposed by every be less trustworthy than his
previous evidence, because given as condition prece
dent to his release. II the Attorney Gen.
eral had let Tweed out on such statements
as have been made TO him no would have been exc
Grated as condoning the Rang frauds without any
benefit TO the State
TWEED AND FRIENDS
81 don't understand John u. Townssnds share ia
the affair have heard Instances OF his ringing
cases, und don't why he should have Tweeds
adence take the trouble he has unless no hoped
to get some round percentage Of settlement There
OF all Twecd's checks redeem them at par,
the proceeds loss certain percentage, to
be PAID over to the State. This would
be simply Infamous biackmailng and any law
officer who would consent to DO party to such a
scheme should be sent ~ State Prison don't see
that his statement Tweed IS such saiat that
his release tho first duty Of the State lie coniesses
much by his own showing TO be entitled to
especial consideration and II he were entitled 70 IL
don't think that Townsend and Bryant the
best qualified 10 secure It. for him. There Is
point may have omitted. Townsend testified In
the woodn case that Farchid had promised
TO consult only his father and Mr. Tilden
the Tweed matter. II you will look
at the testimony In the Woodin case, you will SEQ
that, according TO Townsend, under oath, tho only
agreement was that tho Attorney General would
suit such advisers and counsel might be expedent.
THIS lGrnlSncs uneCt CONTRADICTION between the re-
cent oulglvings OF those who canor now for Twccds
release and the sworn statements OF his counsel"
HOW THE CONTROVERSY Is REGARDED IN THIS
CIrY--vIKws OF PUBLIC FUNcTIoNARIEs,
POLITICAL MAGNATEs AND INTERESTED PAR
TIEs-THE RAILWAY AND INSURANCE ACCUSE
TONS
The publication yesterday OF Mr.. Townscndis letter
10 Attorney General Fairchld caused considerable
citement among the politicians OF The city. II was
the only topic OF conversation at tho places
where local statesmen congregatc, and the views OF
some OF the principal mon have been gathered by
porers OF the HERALD and will be found below.
There is a diversity Of opinion as to whether
Mr. Fairchild Is blsmsblo Mr. Town
send sets forth. but thore IL unanimous
sentiment that answer from the Attorney General
Is Imperative and cannot be withhold by him without
running politically and Professionally Many poll