Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-27

over." I asked what that was for. and he said: -Give that to me and l will take care of your bills hand ed him the percentage after that"
 ring dwindled into insignihcance when compared with the colossal frauds that were committed in the building of the new courthouse for the county. When this undertaking was begun it was stipulated that it's total before the ring was broken up up- ward of $s,000, ,000 had been expended and the work was not completed.
 The beginning of the end of the reign of the ring" came in July, 1871, when copies of some of the fraudulent New York newspaper and were pub lished The result of these exposures was a meeting of citizens early in September. It was followed by the formahty of a sort of peaceful vigil lance committee, under the imposing title of the committee of seventy. This committed together with Samuel J. Tilden, went to work at once and with great energy to obtain actual proof of the frauds. and it was owing to the tireless efforts of MT, Tilden that this work was successful.
 When Tweed was arrested on Oct. 2S he was released on bail to the ex- tent of $1, ,0oo, 900. His trial began on Nov. I9, 1873, but the jury disagreed on the first suit and he was again arr rested on December Is, and on this suit he was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of S12,500 and to suffer twelve years Imprisonment. This sentence was set aside by the Court of Appeals and Tweed's discharge was ordered.
 In the meantime other suits had been brought, among them one to re- cover $6.000,00o Failing to find bail for &. 900, 900. he was sent to the Lud- low street jail. Being allowed to ride in the park and occasionally to visit his dwelling, one day he escaped from his keepers. After hiding for several months he succeeded in escaping to Cuba The American consul procured his release-his passports having been given him under an assumed name but later found him out.
 The discovery was too late, for Tweed had again escaped and em- parked for Spain, thinking there to be at rest, as We then had no extradition treaty with that country. Landing al Vigo, he found the governor of the place awaiting with police for him and he was soon homeward bound on an American war vessel.
 Caleb Cushing, our minister al Madrid, had learned Of his departure for that realm. and had put the au- thorities on their guard To helI them identify their man he furnished a caricature by Mast, representing Tweed as a Tammany policeman grip ping two boys by the hair. Though everything possible was done to rem der him comfortable in jail. Tweed sighed for liberty. He promised, il released to turn states evidence and to give up all his property and effects Some papers suggested that the pub lie pitied the man and would be glad to have him set free No compro- mise with him was made, however and he continued in jail until his death, in IT'S.
 No political trial ever held in the United States created the attention as did the trial of the Tweed ring None of the leading actors failed tc pay in some measure the penalty ci his deeds Connolly, the city comp troller, passed the remainder of his life in exile; Sweeny left the country and long remained abroad; Hall had to live out of the country Barnard and McCunn were impeached and re- moved from the bench, while Cardozt resigned his position in time to avoid impeachment.