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Details
TWEED, William M. ("Boss Tweed") (1823-1878), Tammany Hall Grand Sachem. Oversize cabinet photograph signed ("W. M. Tweed New York City"), n.d. 10¾ x 8¼ in., "Fourth Senatorial District" printed at top edge.
"...IT'S THE COUNTING THAT COUNTS..." A three-quarters profile shot of Tweed's head and shoulders, evidently distributed as a campaign document. A rare signed photograph of the corrupt New York City political boss who worked his way up through the ranks of the Tammany Hall machine during the 1840s and 1850s. By the time of the Civil War he was the Grand Sachem as well as the chairman of the New York County Democratic Committee. From these two crucial, unelected positions, he became a city power broker. His approval was crucial for everything from minor patronage offices to multi-million dollar public contracts. The temptation to enrich himself with bribes and kickbacks went unresisted. He tried to expand the scope of his power state-wide by winning election to the State Senate. Finally, with increasingly bad press about his bloated public projects, and enemies eager to unseat him, Tweed finally faced justice. Convicted on 204 corruption charges, he served a year in jail, only to face a new trial on state charges. He fled to Cuba and Spain, but was soon recaptured. He died in prison of heart failure.
"...IT'S THE COUNTING THAT COUNTS..." A three-quarters profile shot of Tweed's head and shoulders, evidently distributed as a campaign document. A rare signed photograph of the corrupt New York City political boss who worked his way up through the ranks of the Tammany Hall machine during the 1840s and 1850s. By the time of the Civil War he was the Grand Sachem as well as the chairman of the New York County Democratic Committee. From these two crucial, unelected positions, he became a city power broker. His approval was crucial for everything from minor patronage offices to multi-million dollar public contracts. The temptation to enrich himself with bribes and kickbacks went unresisted. He tried to expand the scope of his power state-wide by winning election to the State Senate. Finally, with increasingly bad press about his bloated public projects, and enemies eager to unseat him, Tweed finally faced justice. Convicted on 204 corruption charges, he served a year in jail, only to face a new trial on state charges. He fled to Cuba and Spain, but was soon recaptured. He died in prison of heart failure.