Note p. 466 n — INDEX.

[271] Tweed (1823–1878) was a son of a chair-maker which trade he first followed. He became a power in local politics through the influence he acquired as a popular member of a fire company. He served as alderman and congressman, but did his chief plundering as commissioner of public works of New York City. He was finally convicted in 1873 and imprisoned and fined, but in 1875 his imprisonment was declared illegal. Civil suits were still pending against him and the enormous bail of $3,000,000 was required, in default of which he was put in jail. He escaped to Cuba and Spain, but was brought back and died in jail.