Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-25
Badly &ennebtf Journal.
Augusta, Monday Morning, April o.
The Star Route Ring.

President Garfield's administration has
Srappled at its very commencement with
gross abuses which have grown up within
a few years and in the past deiicd all efforts
to remove them. They are attributable
10 what il known a. the Star Route Ring,
Of which the Second Assistant Postmaster
General Brady has been the rcputed head.
This branch of the department, which he
has managed, has the making Of all COLI
tracts for mali service. These were let
in such a way, that favored contractors
made an immense amount Of money. The
compensation was greatly increased from
time to time. under the pretence that II
was necessary to expedite the public SER
vice. TIE routes over which such con-
tracts extended were in the far western
territories The ring OF contractors which
held them was powerful. and had laid
their plans to continue their operations
right through Ga.field's administration.
but it appears they are not likely to sue
coed, thanks to the vigorous measures
which have been taken against them
Their plans and the present situation are
set forth in the Washington correspon-
dence of the New York Tribune rs fol-
lows:
Not long before the new administration
came in, the rim; completed arrangements,
rs its members thought, to perpetuate its
power. Gen. Brady, in connection with
few friends. bought the Washington republi-
can newspaper in the city, and installed
George C.. Gorham as editor twas thought
the administration could not get along with
out an organ at the Capital, and would not
dare offend Brady. He did not care much
about staying in the Department. II a
storm were raised about his contracts he was
willing to relieve the Administration by
stepping out voluntarily, provided man
agreeable IL him were put IN his place. so
that the operations OF the star route ring
should not be disturbed. His friends boosted
that he was too powerful a man for the Ad-
ministration to offend.
Meanwhile Mr.. GOrham received the re-
publican caucus nomination for Secretary OF
the Senate, which gave Brady and his follow
ing additional confidence. They grew AFRO
giant, and were so imprudcnt AS to attempt to
intimidatc the administration When the
President nominated Judge Robertson for the
New York Collectorship. Brady and Cor
hams newspaper published series OF edi-
torial attacks upon his action, as If to give
him a fOretaste of what he might expect IT he
interfered with the profitable business carried
on in the office of the Second Assistant Post
master-Gcneral. The paper assumed to be
intensely stalwart. and made itself the Off
ciOus champion of Senator Conkling in the
controversy over the New York patronage
t. ,t,fiu laus Nnr
because everybody saw its nature. and remem-
bered, besides, that its editor deserted the
republican party in California only two years
ago, and worked for the State ticket of the
Bourbon democrats. lie is Il soldier Of for
tune in politics, and usually lucky one. but
his California escapade was blunder which
he would be glad to have forgotten.
About this time some mention was made
in the Tribunes correspondence of the i'm
pending change in the Second Assistant
Postmaster -Gencralship--a fact that lay on
the surface of things. The Republican
showed increased temper toward the admin
istration. Ii is needless to say that the adj
minstration was not worried. The effort tn
bulldozc it never had the slightest chance of
success. 1t determined at the start not to
carry General Brady and his contracts, and
the cutlery of General Bradys newspaper had
not the slightest effect toward changing its
purpose. Postmaster-t;eneral James looked
the country over for a man having just the
qualifications in the way of executive talent,
business experience, firmness of character
and tried integrity he wanted in the occupant
of his Second Assistants place. When he
found him he presented his name to the
President. General Brady'> resignation was
then demanded, and the nomination of Rich
ard A. Elmer. of Tioga. New York, was at
once sent tn the Senate. Mr.. Elmer is an
old acquaintance of Colonel James. and is
presumably the right man for the place. The
fact that he is also friend of Senator Plat
gives the appointment considerable political
significance.
Mr.. Gorhams connection with Brady and
the persistent attacks of the newspaper he
edits place him in peculiar position as the
caucus nominee of the Republican party for
highest office in the gift of the Senate.
The Republican Senators may think it need
ial vet TO find some way to drop him by the
time the deadlock is broken.
The material which has been collected by
the special agents of the Post Office Depart
ment under the instructions of Postmaster
General James is being prepared in the form
Of evidence to be used in court il thought ad-
visable. and in that form is sent to the At
torney General. Special agents are now en-
gagged in masing personal inspection of the
principal star routes IN tue W est ana as rap
idly rs possible they will he sent over other
routes of less importance. One principal
reason for the summary action in regard to
General Brady was the discovery that many
sources Of information which the special
agents desired to make accessible were closed
through the fear of General Brady's power
while he remained in office.
The party of which Lord Beaconstield
was the leader is now agitated over the
question who shall he his successor. the
names most prominently mentioned and
from one of which no doubt his successor
will he chosen are Lord Salisbury, Lord
Cairns, Lord Cranbrook, and Sir Stafford
Northcote. These are men of mark from
whom good leader may he selected.
The reported conjecture of some of the
Bourbons that Secretary Blaine inspired
the recent speech of Mr.. Frye is not de-
cent nonsense Mr.. Blaine is man who