The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-31
Peter II. sweeny A Correction and an
Explanation.


To THE EDITOR OF The SuN-Sir: NV friend.
Major Cartwright. asserts that in 1871 when
Peter b. Sweeny was Comptroller he surren-
dered to the city treasury interest moneys to
which he was in some way entitled: that tire
amount OF these moneys was large and that
this act Of self-sacrif1ce. among other things,
led to Mr. Sweeny's exculpation in the public
mind from any completely with the ring frauds.
According to my recollection there is no
foundation for this statement Iarrived from
the South in the fall OF 1870 and was here dur
ing the ontiro period Of the ring exposures. an
attentive observer Of all the incidents attend
ing that remarkable crisis. have no recol-
Sr 80 sna as
eened should have noted s and reme na b,rp
have agreed to submit the question at issue
between us to you for decision feur obedient
New YonK. Dec. 30. NAN -'
Your friend Is very wide OF the mark. Mr.
Swceny never held the office OF Comptroller
and no such event happened in the year
1871. He held the Office Of City Chamber
lain in 1867. succeeding Daniel Devlin. He
was appointed by Mayor Hoffman. and he
greatly surprised the community few week
afterward by announcing that he intended to
pay to the city all the perQuisites OF his
Office arising from the custody OF the city's
moneys. Every City Chamberlain prior to
that time had put in his pocket the
interest received from the banks for the use OF
the city deposits. Large fortunes had been
made from that source by tho former incum-
bents OF that office. Our system OF city fin ances
Is peculiar. We borrow money for the support
ofthe city Government for which We issue reve-
nue bonds payable when the taxes are collect
cd at the end OF the year. The practice when
Mr.. Sweeny came into Office was. If the Cham
berlain had the requisite controlling influence.
to borrow large sums at seven per cent. in Or
der that the Chamberlain might profit from
their use by the banks. receiving three and
four per cent. for his own profit. Sweeny was
all powerful at that time. and could. OF
course. have had as large I'm amount as
he desired at his disposal. 1t is estimated
that bis predecessor had realized q million
from the office; and q law had been passed de-
signed to give legal sanction to the practice
by declaring what expenditures should be
made for executive purposes from the Cham
berla!n's revenues. 1t can well be understood
how general was the surprise at the announce
nent which Mr.. Sweeny made. followed by a
regular monthly payment of interest on de-
posits." 1t certainly left very strong i'm
preston. aud whom the ring troubles
came. and 1t was finally decided that
Mr.. Swceny had no completely with Them
II was generally concluded that his connec-
ton with public affairs WAS for political power
and not for plumber The reform accomplished
was not only to give up the interest moneys
but to abolish the abuse OF borrowing eXccs-
sive sums for the Chamberlain's benefit. An
extraordinary development connected with
that transaction was the course OF the Herald
Mr.. Bennett tho elder. was then In the full
direction Of that journal and had catered upon
n crusade against Tammany Hall. After Mr..
Swenny's determination was published. tho
Heraldveored around and supported Tammany
Hail. 1t was at this time that Mr.. Bennett
conferred upop Mr.. Sweeny tho title
OF Bismarck" In n remarkable article
which in every part OF it bore tho
impress OF Mr.. Benefits peculiar style
THE Tnmmany Bismarcks mastery move"
he said. will have its effect all over the State
II marks the commencement OF II new ora In
politics. II settles the November and Deem
Der elections IN advance. 1t places Sweeny
on a par with Cato. who scorred to enrich his
house at the expense Of his country. II lifts
him to the level OF lteGulus and the Gracchi
and all tho Roman patriots OF old Itmay give
rise to n demand that no shall himself accent
the office Of Mayor Of the city. and carry his
reform into every department OF the city Gov
eminent. But should he decline this honor he
will mt least stand forth as the great General
Of the Tammany forces. and henceforth any
candidate will insure success by an enormous
majority who lights under the banner and
follows in the footsteps OF Peter Bismarck