bman, ambitious for social distinction, he was known as "elegant
Oakey." Although "without ballast," as Tweed admitted, he was
indispensable as an interesting speaker of considerable force, who
yielded readily to the demands of a boss. Connolly, suave and courtly,
was at heart so mean and crafty that Tweed himself held him in the
utmost contempt as a "Slippery Dick." But he was a good bookkeeper.
Besides, however many leeches he harboured about him, his intimate
knowledge of Tweed's doings kept him in power. Perhaps Barnard, more
in the public eye than any other, had less legal learning than wit,
yet in spite of his foppish dress he never lacked sufficient dignity
to float the appearance of a learned judge. He was a handsome man,
tall and well proportioned, with peculiarly brilliant eyes, a jet
black moustache, light olive complexion, and a graceful carriage.
Whenever in trouble Tweed could safely turn to him without
disappointment. But the man upon whom the Boss most relied was Sweeny.
He was a great manipulator of men, acquiring the cognomen of Peter
Brains Sweeny in recognition of his admitted ability. He had little
taste for public life. Nevertheless, hidden from sight, without
conscience and without fear, his sly, patient intrigues surpassed
those of his great master. The _Tribune_ called him "the
Mephistopheles of Tammany."[1130]

[Footnote 1130: New York _Tribune_, March 5, 1868.]

The questionable doings of some of these men had already attracted the
attention of the press. It was not then known that a thirty-five per
cent. rake-off on all bills paid by the city was divided between Tweed
and Connolly, or that Sweeny had stolen enough to pay $60,000 for his
confirmation as city chamberlain by the Board of Aldermen;[1131] but
the prompt subscription of $175,000 by a few members of Tammany for
the erection of a new hall on Fourteenth Street, the cornerstone of
which was laid on July 4, 1867, showed that some folks were rapidly
getting rich.[1132] In the year after Hoffman's defeat for governor the
aim of Tweed and his lieutenants was to carry city elections and
control State conventions, with dreams of making Hoffman governor and
then President, and of electing Tweed to the United States Senate.

[Footnote 1131: Tweed's testimony, Document No. 8, p. 105.]

[Footnote 1132: Gustavus Myers, _History of Tammany Hall_, p. 257.]

With this ambitious scheme in view the Tammany braves, reaching Albany
on October 3, 18