On this day, Oct. 27, in 1871, William M. “Boss” Tweed, Democratic leader of Tammany Hall, was arrested after the New York Times exposed his corruption. Tweed, a commissioner of public works who ruled New York City’s government, became a symbol of greed and political corruption. His fall came after articles accused Tweed of overcharging contractors and taking kickbacks.
Tweed ordered Harper’s Weekly to stop printing cartoons by Thomas Nast, complaining, “I don’t care so much what the papers say about me. My constituents don’t know how to read, but they can’t help seeing them damned pictures!” Tweed was sentenced to 12 years for embezzling $200 million. He escaped prison and fled to Spain, but was captured after an American recognized him from Nast’s cartoons.