TWEED, WILmAxf MARCY, 1823-78; b. N. Y.; son of a ehair-m'aker, and followed the same business, receiving slight education; entered politics while a very young man, and was an alderman in 1830, and member of congress in 1853. In 1857-59 was school commissioner of the 7th ward; became a member of the board of supervisors of the county (New York), and president of the beard during four successive terms. In 1837 and 1839 served as state senator; a member of the Tammany society for many years, he became grand sachem in 1839-71. Having been appointed deputy street commissioner in 1863, when that department was changed to the department of public works. he was at its head, a position which enabled him to initiate, as is generally believed, the forma tion of the combination known as the " Tammany ring," though by many it is claimed that the actual leader in this movement was Peter B. Sweeney, city chamberlain. A system of raising" the amounts of vouchers for city and county work was arranged by those who were in the "ring," and thus enormous sums were stolen, which were divided among them. The power gained by the possession and use of so much money was employed to facilitate the operations of the "ring," and to prevent its members from being brought to justice. Legislatures and judges were bribed; and bills passed and decisions rendered in their favor. Gigantic schemes of city improvement were organized
and carried out successfully. Fraudulent bills were audited, and their sum 'divided among the thieves. No such complete plan of public spoliation was ever devised and executed before in any country. The exposure of this vast system of peculation was made through the columns of the N.Y. Times, through the intervention of a disappointed enemy of the "ring;" and Tweed was indicted in 1872 for forgery and grand larceny. Two trials were held, and he was convicted on 51 counts, and sentenced to 12 years' con finement in the penitentiary. and to pay a fine of Ci12,300.18; one year for each of 12 counts in the indictment; and a fine of ;4250 each for 39 other counts. He was on Blackwell's island from Nov., 1873, until June, 1875, when he was released by a decision of the court of appeals, on a legal technicality. He was immediately arrested on a war rant issued in a civil suit for $6,198,957.85, and sent to Ludlow Street jail. Being permitted to go out to drive with an officer, he made his escape while paying a visit to his wife in Madison avenue, and successfully fled the country and went to Spain. He was caught and returned in Nov., 1876, and again incarcerated in Ludlow street jail until April 12, 1878, when he died.