New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-24
WHAT THE FUGITIVE FEARED.


,wrrD AND swEENY IN POSITION TO SETTLE
WITH TIE AUIHORITIEs-HALL NOT so FAvoRA-
BLY, sITUATED--sINCE HE COULD NOT PURCHASE
PEACE HE CONCLUDED TO FLEE
Various rumors have been set afloat to ac-
count for the mysterious disappearance OF exMayor
Oakley Hail. but with single exception these have been
found to have been nsgated by his confidential clerks
anc intimate friends and reatives-who have been OK
tremely active in misleading inquiry as 10 his where
abouts-and largely for the purposes OF deceit No theory
OF his disappearance yet offered has apparently been
based on any fact than that explained in The
TRIBUNE on Thursday morning, which represented MIN
as being fearful of being called upon To TESTIFY against
Peter b. sweeny. He knew on Friday last that the evil
dence against sweeny Of such character as to COM
pei sweeny flight settlement, and though he did not
speak OF it at that time he probably knew or
supposed he knew that the testimony against
sweenv would affect him equally and force him TO take MS
position with Sweeny to defend almost endless smts OF
with sweeny to settle the best terms he could Mr.
sweeny is able SETTLE for he has saved what he made
hut Mr. Hall is popularity supposed TO have spent largely
of any income which he may have enjoyed during the
days OF the Rings false prosperity Mr. Hall unques-
tionably knew Friday that Tweed had settled with
the city and State and that his release before the DAY
fixed for the trial Of Peter B. Sweeny was certain lie
may have known intutvely that sweeny having
plcnty Of money and real estate in the name
of friends and relatives was also prepared to make set
Element and possibly aware that sweeny had al
ready consented TO on any hOrt OF lmprs
onment and confscatiOn. At any rate 1t is almost GER
tain that Mr. Hall recognized that his old Ring troubles
were upon him in serious form than ever before
and it is certain that, impoverished by his own spend
thrift habits and the exravagant demands OF Others he
could not arrange as Others of more misery habits and
covetou disposition had arranged for peace and security
from arrest the price OF dshonor Hence his night 10
Europe for is almost certain that he LETT TINS CITY or
Boston by one of the steamers sailing on Saturday last
II fyyn IQp
HewYor; il was this capacity that lie brought HIM
self TO the attention of the Ring. then composed OF
sweeny Tweed, and Connolly and Swecny put hm for
ward as the candidate for Mayor Hall regretted the
selection Of himself; he told his intimate friends that he
diskcd to quit the labor he delighted in and which
physicked pain for the duties of Mayor in which he could
take no delight He found that he had been put there
for purpose-tO help the great frauds that have since
been exposed His would have resented the task
81 he had early discovered just what was demanded OF
him But tine evidence shows that he was gradually
drawn into virtually approving the frauds, and he has
made his defense the ground that he acted only i'll
ministerial capacity, having no option but 10
sign the warrants sent him by Connolly, then
Controller and brought to him by Woodward, then
Clerk Of the Supervisors or by watson, then county
Auditor On this basis he made bold fight against the
prosecution begun in 1871. He denied having ever re-
cciyed single penny of the spos traced to the Ring.
Even when Garvey suddenly produced as witness
he maintained his bold attitude and cOurted the fullest
inquiry his conduct and defed any person to trace
dollar 10 his hands Charles O'Conor and Samuel j.
Tiden united in saying that proof existed that Mr.
Hall had ever received penny of money They said
sso with equal freedom that the only plumber OF the
Ring which could be traced to Sweeny was single draft
on London for 10000 There existed evidence until
within the last four months that Mr. Hall had ever re-
ceved any of the Ring spols
Within that time two witnesses have appeared against
him-Ebirt A. Woodward and william NJ. Tweed-and
20 these Nh Hal knew that Peter b. Sweeny would
shortly be added All these are seeking their peace and
safety, and have the means to do so.
Mr.. Hall had not the means; and hence his flight or
suicide latter is decidedly improbable; the former
IS the more likely solution Of his troubles