THE TWEED JUNG

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2229, 18 September 1889, Page 3

THE TWEED JUNG

The mention of tbe dt ah of John N. MoGlnnls, who, last Jaiy, was killed by lightning m New Orleans, oitrlea as basic to one of the most remarkable episodes m oar history. About elghteea years ago Mr MoGlnt ii bad married Wm M: Tweed's eldest daughter, and bla brother Arthur Ambrose fell In love with M»ry, Tweed's youngest daughter, who was to him ea the apple of his eye. Whatever faults Wm. M. Tweed may have had, he was a Kind husband and an affeotlonate father ; an^ mare than this he was a faithful friend ; faithful even unto death, for he dieu behind prleou bars rather than betray tbe men who served him, for he might have escaped punlahment hlmaelf if he had given up his friends to the savage and vindtotive vengeance of his foes. Seventeen years •go this summer the Tweed ring thieves were m the zenith of their glory and power- They held both branches of the Legislature with the grip of death. The Supreme Court of the State, Oordozi, Barnard and MoOunn were their abject slaves, ready to do their bidding. The Mayor of the city was their creature; sheriffs, constables and city judges were •11 their paid servants. Toe contioller was • thief, and 10 was tbe oity treasurer, and Wm. M. Tweed at the head of the Board of Public Works was busy dividing nearly thirty millions of money, stolen from the city, among hU hungry henobmen. All New York felt his power, and on the day. that his youngest daughter was married New York made it a •pedal holiday. All tbe great merohcnta and manufacturers were anxious to court I the favor of the king. Never were seen ■ooh bridal present! at any wedding m the United States before nor since. The room act apart for tbe presents looked like a section of Tiffany's great ■tore; numbers of presents were worth from $1000 to $5000. Tom Fields and* his wlte gave a set of diamonds worth five thousand dollars; Tom died a fugitive frpm justice In Canada, and his beautiful wife died a drunkard In the street gutter; Jim Fiik, then In the height of his glory, was killed by an aosjastin; Mike Norton who presented a set of silver, worth three thousand dollars, died a pauper the other day, and a benefit was given to bury him. It was a brilliant company and a brilliant night. Great lawyers, doctors and clergymen were proud of an invitation to a wedding where the bride wore diamond buttons la her boots, and they almost beggared themselves to pay tribute to thß young American princess. Poor girl, aha died about a year and a half ago brokenhearted and wrecked by her father's terrible downfall, a father whom aha tenderiy loved; as well she might, for he was naught but good to her. Peter B, Sweeney, the brains of the thieving flog, U here In New York after years of exile In France, he having purohased Immunity for his thefts by returning • portion of the plunder. Tbe rest are eoaUered to tbe four winds of heaven or dead. The names of the men who figured prominently on that eventful night now lie on the desk before me — let them rest, to reoall them can do no good. — " Broadbrim," (" Wapgannl Ohronlc'e.")