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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] William Tweed Biography TWEED, William Marcy (1823–78). A notorious American politician, leader of the so-called Tweed Ring, born in New York City. He was the son of a chairmaker, received slight education, and early entered politics, becoming an alderman of New York City in 1850, and taking a seat in Congress in 1853. Subsequently he was a school commissioner, became a member of the board of supervisors of New York County, and was president of the board four successive terms. From 1867 to 1871 he was State Senator. Tweed was grand sachem of Tammany in 1869–71. He was appointed deputy street commissioner in 1861, and when in 1870 that department was changed to the department of public works, he was the commissioner at its head, a position which enabled him to initiate, it was believed, the formation of the combination known as the Tammany Ring, or Tweed Ring. The ring elected its candidate for mayor in 1865, and its candidate for Governor in 1868, and so controlled the Legislature as to secure a modification of the city's charter, greatly increasing the power of the offices held by the ring. Legislators and judges were bribed, bills were passed, and decisions rendered in favor of the members of the ring. Gigantic schemes of city improvement were organized and carried out successfully, though accompanied generally with much peculation. Probably no spoliation so great was ever executed in any country. Its exposure was made largely by the New York Times, with the help of a disappointed enemy of the ring, in July, 1871; investigation and prosecution were undertaken by a committee of 70 citizens, under the lead of Samuel J. Tilden (q.v.); and Tweed was indicted in 1872 for forgery and grand larceny. Two trials were held, and in 1873 Tweed was convicted, and sentenced to 12 years' confinement in the penitentiary and to pay a fine of $12,300.18. He was confined on Blackwell's Island from November, 1873, until June, 1875, when he was released by a decision of the Court of Appeals on a legal technicality. He was immediately rearrested on a warrant issued in a civil suit for $6,198,957.85, and sent to Ludlow Street Jail. Being permitted to ride out with an officer, he escaped, and fled to Spain. He was returned in November, 1876, and placed in Ludlow Street Jail until April 12, 1878, when he died. The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. XXII (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 594. |