Weak-Accountability

Boss Tweed Convicted After Second Trial

| Importance: 7/10

William “Boss” Tweed is convicted on 204 counts of corruption in his second trial, held ironically in the still-incomplete courthouse built with funds he helped steal. His first trial in January 1873 ended with a hung jury despite overwhelming evidence. The November conviction results in …

William "Boss" Tweed New York Court System David Dudley Field II (Defense) Elihu Root (Defense) systematic-corruption weak-accountability political-machines
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House Launches Credit Mobilier Investigation

| Importance: 7/10

The U.S. House of Representatives launches an investigation into the Credit Mobilier scandal following the September 1872 New York Sun exposé revealing systematic bribery of congressmen with railroad company stock. The investigation examines how Congressman Oakes Ames distributed discounted Credit …

U.S. House of Representatives Oakes Ames (Congressman) James Brooks (Congressman) Poland Committee systematic-corruption institutional-capture political-bribery weak-accountability
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