The Washington herald., 1920-07-13
ny RAYMOND G. CARROLL.

New York, July l2-In connec-
ton with the indictment of
Charles +. Murphy. Tammany lead
er' upon charges OF conspiracy in a
private business transaction, the
Oldest Reporter in New York wax
ed highly indignant today when he
read 1T is the first time since the
leadership OF William NJ. Tweed
that a Tammany Hall leader has
been indicted during his incumben-
cy OF that post" Really the cases
against the past and present heads
of Tammany have absolutely notn-
ing in common.
Boss Tweed was arrested. tried
and convicted SO far back that most
folks have forgotten the details
surrounding the downfall of the
big rough man who coined the
phrase. What are you going to do
about it," and whose political creed
was Keep the people quiet and do
a lot for the churches" Tweed and
his associates robbed Gotham OF
SIS. 900. 900.
That was nearly nifty years ago"
said the venerable scribe. who ran
copy from Judge Noah Davis
courtroom during the first and sec
ond trials of Tweed.
Real Men In Tweed Case.
1T was a great case they had
against Tweed and real men were
In the film. The case against Muir
ply is piffle in comparison. No
taint OF politics and without any
suggestion OF corruption in muni-
cipal, State or federal government.
Just a row between two business
partners, one of whom tried to get
his money out of an enterprise that
he had lost faith in"
Tell US about Tweed" said one
OF the new school OF Journalist
graduates covering criminal courts
buildings. He was a sure enough
boss, this Tweed" replied the Old
est Reporter. He smoked huge
black cigars, cursed like a saIIot
and was ready to fight at the drop
Of the hat.
He was born in Cherry Hill in
1873, studied in public schols, be-
came foreman of a fire engine COM
pany, afterward alderman and was
that inscriptions and daring he al
one time held three public offices,
namely supervisor, deputy commits
sioner OF street cleaning and State
senator.
Tweed Collects Tolls.
his supervisor job proved his
undoing. Here il was he lit upon
the idea of a graded system of
correcting tolls from everybody who
oid business with New York.
THOSE who did work or furnished
supplies Tor the county were fatty
INFORMED by some member of his
ring that in order to insure a con-
tlnuance OF the public patronage.
increased orders and prompt paw
ment. 1t would be necessary for
them to add to their bills a GER
tain percentage in excess of their
true. price, which increase of per-
centage II was understood and
agreed should be paid to members
of the ring.
The first levy was a Iu pei
cent increase. Becoming bolder.
Iweed put the percentage at 35 per
cent All went well for a time. so
ne hoisted II again to IS per cent.
whlch probably Is the highest ex-
cess ever paid by Taxpayers for
work done in their behalf. For
every ~ spent for the public Tweed
nad 30 cents handed to himself and
MS associates. Samuel ]. Tilden,
VINO later became governor or New
YORK. examined the books OF the
broadway Bank. where the city de-
posted IT'S funds and was the star
witness Tor the prosecution"
Best Lawyers in state.
Why didn't Tweed get a rood
lawyerg asked Ably, the amhu,s me-,
chaser OF East Broadway.
He had a fiock Of them. the best
porter. iNe
Tweed was enormously wealthy
In ready cash. He thought n could
euy him liberty. He ala hang the
nrst jury that tried him; thew fall
ed to asree. But he was I'm asain.,
a man among men. wheeler M.
Peckham, the special prosecp,or
once Psckham got his teeth in a
case ne was bulldog. Nothinr
could shake him or Tweed was
convicted, on the second trial and