igh
hand; made nominations arbitrarily; bullied, bought, and traded; became
President of the Board of Supervisors, thus holding the key to the
city's financial policies; and was elected State Senator, thereby
directing the granting of legislative favors to his city and to his
corporations.

In 1868 Tammany carried Hoffman into the Governor's chair, and in the
following year the Democrats carried the State legislature. Tweed now
had a new charter passed which virtually put New York City into his
pocket by placing the finances of the metropolis entirely in the hands
of a Board of Apportionment which he dominated. Of this Board, the
mayor of the city was the chairman, with the power to appoint the other
members. He promptly named Tweed, Connolly, and P. B. Sweeny. This was
the famous Ring. The mayor was A. Oakey Hall, dubbed "Elegant Oakey" by
his pals because of his fondness for clubs, society, puns, and poems;
but Nast called him "O. K. Haul." Sweeny, commonly known as "Pete," was
a lawyer of ability, and was generally believed to be the plotter of the
quartet. Nast transformed his middle initial B. into "Brains." Connolly
was just a coarse gangster.

There was some reason for the Ring's faith in its invulnerability. It
controlled Governor and legislature, was formidable in the national
councils of the Democratic party, and its Governor was widely mentioned
for the presidential nomination. It possessed complete power over the
city council, the mayor, and many of the judges. It was in partnership
with Gould and Fiske of the Erie, then reaping great harvests in Wall
Street, and with street railway and other public service corporations.
Through untold largess it silenced rivalry from within and criticism
from without. And, when suspicion first raised its voice, it adroitly
invited a committee of prominent and wealthy citizens, headed by John
Jacob Astor, to examine the controller's accounts. After six hours
spent in the City Hall these respectable gentlemen signed an acquitment,
saying that "the affairs of the city under the charge of the controller
are administered in a correct and faithful manner."

Thus intrenched, the Ring levied tribute on every municipal activity.
Everyone who had a charge against the city, either for work done or
materials furnished, was told to add to the amount of his bill, at first
10%, later 66%, and finally 85%. One man testified that he was told
to raise to $55,000 his claim of $5000. He got