The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-12-26
A BEAUTIFUL C0NsrELIATIox
OrStar Route ThieVes-'The PocuIation
nftha DorseY Combination.

OfStar Route ThieVeS-The REGULATIONS
ofthe Dorsey Combination.
Special Dispatch to IntellIgenccr
WASHINGTON, D. O., December 25.-In
the recently published letter Of George
Bliss, Esq, special counsel for the Govern.
ment In the Star route prosecutions, TO
Postmaster General james, mention was
made Of several great combinations against
whom criminal proceedings would be be-
gun before the grand jury in this district
early in the new year. One Ofthe first, II
not the first OF these combinations against
which proceedings will be taken, is known
at the postofiice Department as the dorsey
Combination" Ex-senator Stephen Dorsey,
Of Arkansas, is at the head of fthc syndicate.
There are 1874 Star routes in the Dorsey
combination. At the letting Of July list,
1878; which was tho beginning Of the pres
ent contract term, these routes were award
cd to ]. W. Dorsey, s. W. Dorsey's brother,
John NJ. Peck, John h. Miner and j. IL.
Watts.
Mr.. Watts held but few Of the router,
and after short time he failed and is now
practically out of the mail contract busi-
ness. j. W. Dorsey, Peck and Miner were
in reality dummies for $. W. Dorsey, who
at the time Of the beginning Of the present
contract term was a Senator. His name
did not appear on the books Of the depart
ment as either contractor or stb.contrae-
tor until after he had left the Senate. which
was March 4th, 1870. The routes Of the
"Dorsey Combination" covered points in
sixteen States and Territories. The total
original contract pay for service on these
134 routes was SLAB, 100 %. brady allowed
the combination for increased trips and ex-
petition Of running time, MI amount still
cient 10 bring tho annual pay uE
to $022,sOs Al. A small part OF this
increase was due to tho lengtllen.
ling Of tue routes, &c" lat the start
but the additional compensation allowed,
pure and simple, amounted to $504, lUS05.
There were cttttailments amounting to
about $4,000. The total original mileage
of these l34 routes was O,sS7 miles, but
Brady made changes in the interest of the
combination, reducing the mileage ovei
| 900 miles. OF the total number Of routes
4 belonging 10 the combination, over twen'
ty.fiye at one time received all increase oil
pay, amounting TO over 100000. The
records Of the department show clearly
that a vast majority Of the increased SER
vice ordered was unnecessary, and the rot
tennesg OF the allowances Is thereby infer
cntially proven. But tho case OF the Gov
eminent against the combination will b.
supplemented by the reports Of Govern
nent inspectors sent over the routes
the sworn afFidavits Of postmasters, mai
carriers, stage drivers, 10, proving clearl!
the fraudulent character OF the service
; A sample Of the way in which pay wa
increased and money taken without ade
ouate return from the treasury,iS afforded
in the case Of the route to Baker City
= Oregon. This route is 275 miles long, AM
WIS let for two trips per week, at an aver
aec speed oi twenty-one miles per houl
for $s,2SS Within a year the pay wa
, raised 10 S72,b20, a majority Of which wa
ior expedition, although tho speed wa
: increased to only tltitly.iout miles a
The responsible members Of the DOwo