Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-06-08
rwEEp,s coMprRoLLER.
The Death of The Last of the Principal
Members of the NeIU York Ring.

The Death OF the Last Of the PrtnctpdL
Members of the Netc York Ring.
The exile of Richard 3. Connolly, formerly
of New York. has Just been ended by his death
at MarseiIles. Connolly was one of the chief
lights of the famous ling who, ten years ago,
ruled New York in its own iniquitOus fashion,
robbing its Taxpayers, adding Sl000G0,O COO to
It's debt and corrupting official morality, both
in high places and low. Connolly was q smart
fellow, an accurate accountant and shTewd
and unprincipled manager of men. He
had ability which, had it been COM
bined with honesty, might have pla3ed
him high among statesmen. But, animated
by greed of money and destitute of
purity in his ambition, he naturally worked
hand in hand with the malefactors into whose
company he fell, Born in LELAND in 1910, he
came to this country at sixteen and for some
years did duty as clerk. His first political ele-
walton was in the year 1852, hen he was made
county clerk of New York city. In those days
that office was one of only mode rate emOlument.
In 1859 he was elected State senator. By this
time he was thoroughly professional politi-
clan. After serving two terms as senator he
spent two or three years as bank teller. mean
time laying wires among his political friends
for such prefer ment as might await him, and
in 1869 he became comptroller of the
city of New York. Tie finances of the me-
tropolis were at this time in a curiossly mixed
condition. The existence of a great tumble of
claims against the city gave rise TO the lad
justed claim" act, by which the comptroller was
given power to adjust claims to the extent of
about $l3, 100000. Many of these claims were
altogether fraudulent and many were made to
order, having no Just foundation at all. Bonds
were sold for the aggregate amount and the
claims were paid out of the proceeds of the
sales. Claimants got about One-third, the re-
mainder going to the ring. This blessed COM
pany was at first composed of Tweed Sweeny
Connolly, Woodward and Watson. The last
named was q shrewd accountant and an expert
thief. He was thrown ont of a sleigh one
afternoon and brought home dead. His
death proved a great inconvenience to his
fellows as it left the fraudulent accounts for
the widening of Broadway in the midst of a
tangle, to straighten which required all the
mathematical ability of Connolly and the I'M
blushing assurance of Tweed. COnnOllys
share of the pickings and stealings was at first
only ten per cent. He grew FESTIVE under this
and insisted on twenty per cent, which was
allowed him in 1870 and until the explosion
of the ring. The method of Connolly's expos
ure and of the undermining of the ring was
peculiar Ex.Sheriff OBrien had fraudu-
lent account of somewhat over a quarter of
million. As he had not peen altogether loyal
TO his friends of the ring, they shut down
on him and refused to pass it..
O'Briep, in order to be revenged,
paid two of the clerks in CODnolly's Office to
copy the records of fraudulent transactions.
These had extended over several years and Gov
cred millions of dollars. The New York Times
first brought these to the light in the spring of
1871. Connolly put on front of virtuous in
dignation and said that if he had signed the
warrants for all or any of the fraudulent bills
he had done it supposing they were correct.
But committee of citizens under the direction
of Mr.. Tilden and Charles OConnor, had taken
hold of affairs. and in September Connolly was
compelled to do one good deed in appointing
Andrew II. Green his deputy. Green proved
to be faithful Waterman, and did much to
assist 10 uneartbng the frauds. When Con-
molly resigned In November, Mayor Oakley
Hall appointed Green the comptroller. Two
weeks afterwards Connolly was arrested, and
bis bail fixed at 81 100000. Finding it impos-
sible to procure this sum he had to remain in
Ludlow street Jail. In December the amount
of bail was reduced to $500, 900. On New Years
day, 1872, this was given, and Mr.. Connolly
was O free man. A few days afterwards he
skipped his bail aud sailed from Quebec to
Liverpool. Since that time he has resided
principally in the south Of France, travelling
sometimes through Europe and going even as
far as Egypt. 1t is believed that he took with
him between So, 600 900 and 81, 00O, 900, but as
he speculated a good deal in various foreign
bonds, and particularly in Egyptian securities,
some of which turned out worthless, his ill-got-
ten gains suffered severe shrinkage. At the
time of his death he is not supposed to have
had over $780, 900 or 100000.