Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-06-24
strahan, which it would be well to have ex-

planned 1t possible.
Senator Strahan again took the witness
chair and said: Davenport never mentioned
knox's name but once. He stated that
kut KS name would be sent in place of Judge
Choates. He never mentioned to me that
he had conversation with Knox in Wash
ington. It was he also that suggested that
/ should hold the matter under advisement
until morning, and if / could not take the
office he wanted | should see Gardner, and
ask him to take it. He did not ask me st
any time to keep the interview confidential.
l did, however, keep the matter private. l
assumed that he had authority to offer me
the Office. l had not in my mind the Presi-
dent, Cabinet, or any one else in particular.
Witnessed then detailed the conversation
as given by him on the first examination.
Chairman Scott announced that the COM
mittee desired to hear counsel sum up.
Bangs said he did not care about summing
up, unless the other side wanted to.
Smith said he did not think much light
could be thrown upon the case by summing
up. He did not believe that what be could
say would change the opinion OF o single
member of the committee.
It was agreed not to sum up, and the COM
mittee then went into an executive session,
and soon afterwards adjourned.
The Star Route Cases-Brady Anxious for
Speedy Trial.
WASHINGTON, June 23d.-General Brady
to-day. through his counsel, Shellabarger and
Wilson, applied for an immediate invsstiga-
ton by the Grand Jury of the star route
charges. The press had bitterly assaulted
him, the Government agents had been pre-
curing false evidence against him, and he OBJ
jects to the case being postponed till fall,
claiming the privilege of a speedy trial.
Colonel Cook, special star route counsel.
said tie evidence was not yet ready for the
Grand Jury. Not single case is yet COM
piete, and it would result in q faluie to be-
gin the trial now. The Government did not
intend to prosecute, but to clear itself of re-
sponsibility. The charges extend from Texas
to Oregon. all over the western border, aid it
might be necessary to call witnesses from far
distant sections.
WASHINGTON, June 231.-General Brady
wrote letter, presented by his counsel, &C
cusing the Government detectives OF filling
the press with false reports, knowing that
their being Government agents sheltered
them from proceedings for libel.
Colonel Cook, in reply, referred to certain
Washington papers which are the reputed
organs Of the star route ring. and of the pur-
chase of such papers by the ring.
Brady wanted the privilege Of examining
the records of the Postoffics Department
Cook replied that Brady needn't pretend
ignorance of those records, after controlling
them three years. When the matter went
before Congress he showed entire familiarity
with it, He couldn't have them to make. up
his defense.
Counsel Totten said "We want this jury
to take charge of these cases now. We do
not wish any delay while our client is suffer-
ing under abuse and SANDER. II the testi-
mony is ready, as has been alleged, there is
no reason or excuse for delay. We have been
told by the press that the whole case is pre-
pared, and that this man Brady is guilty
beyond peradventure. We therefore ask that
this matter be examined by the jury now. We
ask it as right for him whom we claim is a
maligned citizen. We have heard it stated
also, that Colonel Cook has said ne did not
deem it advisable that the case be presented
to the last Grand Jury for consideration.
Do Colonel Cook and the prosecuting author
tiles mean to say that one Grand Jury is
more honest, more trustworthy than another.
or is the prosecution in search of Grand
Jury to file their case with? Even if this
were the object, he did not think they had
succeeded. General Brady for months has
been subjected to torrent of abuse on all
sides. He has his rights as citizen, and he
should be permitted TO meet at ence these
calumnies before the Courts. His right to
Justice should not be delayed day. Let all
the testimony be brought before the Grand
Jury at once. and if true bill is found
against Brady his counsel are ready Tor
trial"
Mr.. Cook, during his reply, said 1t has
been suggested, If your Honor will permit
me to say it, several times in the progress Of
the newspaper discussion, that it might have
been just as well for the two organs of Cen
eral Brady to have been less sensitive less
anxious to prevent newspaper vindication,
than they have been. and to calmly wait the
regular administration Of justice. They have
not seen Fl to do 50. The President OF the
United States has assumed this position, and
it may be regarded SIS authoritative, il that
will be pleasant to my brothers to hear, that
the inv eseigation iato the supposed crime and
offeuses against the general laws of the
Uuites Stated must be pursued carefully,
cautiously and impartially T; that no case must
be permitted to go before the Grand jury for
their consideration or investigation, until af-
ter careful and thorough investigation, tend
ing to show, when it is complete, that there
has probably been crime committed. No
rumor, whether in newspapers or elsewhere,
must be accepted that everything must be
based upon what appears to be facts, aud that
in this investigation, 50 impartislly conducted
Attorney General, no one must be pursued
from personal motives no one must be pro
tected, on the other hand, because of a feeling
of friendship affection or favor. Indeed, the
high and exalted position CT the President
and Attorney General is this: That the
United States cannot, must not, will
not present evidence before the
Grand Jury unless, after the most cool,
tranquil and impartial examination, it ap-
pears to be requisite to do it, SO far as to
maintain the purity, welfare and stability of
the United States. If after such exan.ia-
alton it becomes necessary to present the most
exalted citizen of the United States, or the
humblest and poorest in the walks Of life,
they should be equally presented. TODAY,
acting upon these authorities and principles,
/ may say there is no case to present to the
Grand jury against General Brady or any.
one else There ara investigations going n
by the citizens of the United States of grav
and serious offenses and crimes, which, il
allowed to continue, may involve the life
OF the first nation of the civilized world
The charges of fraud reach all over the
country. They will reach down to Texas,
will travel into New Mexico, will penetrate
Oregon, will reach California, and it win be-
come necessary to bring witnesses from all
these varied localities. In addition to the
ttCOiu VI IL WEI n W w
that-none Of these witnesses can be brought
except upon regular and authoritative orders
of the Court. Some of them are reluctant,
exceedingly reluctant, if our opinion is cor
rect. So at the earliest period it wouid not
be possible for US to proceed with the investi-
CATION in the absence of testimony before the
latter part OF July. It Is already out in all
papers that are friendly to General Brady,
owned by General Brady largely, perhaps
do not go too far when | say controlled
by General Brady that he il suspected.
| have but one thing further TO say
two things: II is not judicially, and
in the regular form of decent administra-
ton of the law that General Brady is sus-
rected. II may be that he is suspected,
bns he is but a citizen Of the United States,
not above the ordinary and usual decent ad.
ministration of the law, and as perfectly
subjected to those modes of proceeding as the
poorest and humblest shoeblack who may
walk the sheets Of the city of Washington.
All here are equal. II this proceeding is
justi6able, it may be demanded by everyone
who appears in the Police Court, everyone
who, as he passes through the streets
may hear a whisper fall upon his
ear. "That fellow did wrong" Cen
eral Brady is only the equal of the hum
best. One thing more, and l am for the
present DONE just as soon as the facts can
be collected, and as soon as the order and
regulations of this Court will permit, just as
soon as the L nited States, through her proper
officers. can accumulate and present in proper