The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-10-24
n..s, m-.sIn a. alennnnna..
NEW KtWS VI tESlEhDAI
Boss Tweed's Vain offer Of Five
Million Dollars.
How George jones Absolutely Re
fused 70 Sell the New York Times
60 Contemplated Exposure
Could Be Prevented.


One hot day in the midsummer Of
1871 George Jones, at that time pro
prietor OF the New York Times. took
his accustomed seat in a little billiard
saloon which occupied a part Of the
basement OF the old Times building
in Printing House square. Mr.. Jones
was very fond Of the game Of bill
liards. although he did not play II
himself. and II was his habit to spend
a half hour ct noon each day, If he
had leisure. watching the billiard ex'
perts.
On the day n question Mr.. Jones
was suddenly called from his place
by a messenger who had evidently
been sent from his private ONCE on
the main floor OF the Times building.
In that offlce he found q lawyer and
a man Of business, both OF whom he
recognized at once as personal
friends Of William M. Tweed, who
was the boss Of New York city.
MY father received the two gen
tlnmen very politely" said Gilbert H.
Jones, who inherited the Times from
his father. He knew perfectly we'll
what they had called for. He had
only a day or two before gone over
with Mr.. Lewis ]. Jennings. then the
managing editor OF the Times and
afterward a member of the English
parliament, all Of the proof sheets Of
the first expoEare Of the Tweed ring.
1t was through Mr.. Jennings that the
bargain was first made by which the
Times came into possession OF the
Incriminating documents copied from
the books Of the comptroller Of New
York city, Connolly. who was a mem
Der Of the Tweed ring.
After the formal greetings were
over, one OF the gentlemen said ia
my father that he had heard that the
Times newspaper property was for
sale. Father replied that he had not
said to anyone that he was willing
or anxious to sell the Times. Then
the lawyer said to my father:
I suppose you would sell the
Times. Mr.. Jones. provided you got
the right kind Of an offer for it.
I don't know about that. replied
my father. That might depend upon
who wanted to buy it,
well, we are prepared. Mr.
James, the lawyer continued. to
make you an offer Of i've million dol
lars for the Times newspaper. and II
you would sell the paper. but wanted
to keep the building. then the bar
gain could be made with that in
view
WHO wants to buyT my father
asked
I'VE represent the parties; ! don't
see what 1t should make any differ.
ence to you who they are. was the
answer. We are willing to give a
million dollars in cash and the rest
In AL securities.
well said my father. II makes
all the difference in the world who
the parties are. might sell the
Times for five million dollars to q
man who ! know would maintain ia
good reputation: but. for example.
viii say to you that / would not sell
the Times to Boss Tweed or any ol
his gang II I we're to be offered ter
times five million
why not?' the lawyer asked.
Because. said my father. II
were to take any money from Tweet
or his ring then ! would become 1
participator in their iniquities ans
the Times would receive its share o
their stealings; and SO think have
aaid to you. gentlemen, all that II
Decessary to say in order that yol
may inf0r.n those whom you repre-
sent that the Times newspaper is no
for sale to them at any price
"A day or two later" continued thu
son. "the Times published Its FIRST ex
posure OF the Tweed ring. and from
then on. until Tweed and bis gam
were driven out Of public life anl
public Office my father kept up hi
light against them"
(Copyright, 1911. BY r ]. Edwards Al
nj