"Boss" Tweed : the story of a grim generation / by Denis Tilden Lynch.

410 "Boss" Tweed
reply. One of the Aldermen suggested he take no notice of it
but answer the questions of counsel for the committee.
"Must I sit here," said Tweed, "and be abused by every
thief that stands on the corner who chooses to wag his tongue
at me, and then be told that I can have no opportunity of
defending myself? I am tied hand and foot. I am in jail.
This man is in the streets, free, haunting the public houses,
hotels, barrooms, and restaurants. He says he has given me
one dose, and shall give me another. Then I shall give him
another. This man has taken me when I am at a disadvantage,
and he has sent this paper here to hurt me all it can. I shall
fight back at everybody that fights me. I can't be crushed
out because I'm unfortunate."
Tweed soon forgot his anger against Morrissey. When he
volunteered that he put the former Assistant Secretary of
State, E. K. Apgar, on the Street Department payroll, and
was asked what work Apgar was doing in return for his salary
from the city, Tweed smilingly responded:
"Spouting-talking-making speeches."
On another occasion, when he suddenly remembered that he
had been talking at lightning speed, he paused in his recital
of corruption, and addressing the press table, said:
"I must apologize to the reporters for speaking so fast, but
it is my nature when I get excited. It has caused me more
trouble than it has anybody else."
He had forgotten his grievance against the reporters. He
was beginning to understand that George Jones had ushered
in a new dawn in American journalism.
In the winter of 1877-1878 Tweed had several bad heart
attacks. On these occasions his black servant never left his
side at night. He was constantly under the attendance of
physicians. Among them was one of the noted specialists of
the day, Dr. John M. Carnochan. Several clergymen from
neighboring churches called to offer him the consolation of
religion. Tweed thanked them as he declined their good offices. And when each departed he would open the Bible at
some favorite passage. At times he would suddenly stop reading the Book to swear like a trooper at the irrepressible Negro,