New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-04-23
THE STAR ROUTE SCANDALS.
CAREFUL INVESTIGATION MADE BEFORE MR.
BRADY's RESIGNATION WAS DEMANDED.


CAREFUL INVESTIGATION MADE BEFORE Mr..
BRADY's RESIGNATION WAS DEMANDED.
tBY TELEGRAPH THE TgIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, April 22-The Star Route scandal
continues to furnish the most fruitful topic of gossip
and speculation and the material gathered by Con-
gresdonal Committees together with the stories of
disappointed participants III the alleged irregular
ties supply an inexhaustible store Of material for
sensational dispatches in regard to the matter.
The name of almost every official in the
Post Office Department has been connected
by rulnOr with the expected Developments, the
connection in most cases being entirely without
Variant in fact The unfortunate coincidence OF the
acceptance Of John Freeman's resignation, rendered
amonth ago, and that of General Brady, requested
the day before yesterday gave rise TO the connection
Of the name of the former with the Star Route ir-
regularities Postmaster-General james authorized
the statement to-day that this entirely unwar-
ranted. and that Judge Freeman's record was with
out bemish. SO far from having been connected
officially with the Star Route Extravaganza Judge
Freeman has in an official letter to a committee of
the Senate expressed the opinion that the law under
which authority claimed for "expediting" Star
routes at the discretion Of the PostmasterGeneral
gave in fact no such authority except in cases where
Unforeseen nconngencies-such the change of rail-
road time tables-was concerned
There are ninety-throe Star Routes In process OF
investigation, upon which the aggregate increase of
pay original contract rates within less than two
years, was $2,075,095. That such an enormous
discretionary power should be placed in the hands
Of any official Of the Government Is q subject of
wonder, and the fact would give rise 70 suspicion
even If no allegations were heard The Postmaster
General Is not taking the word Of irresponsible
people, or of those who have been by their own con-
fsson jointly involved in the irregular transactions
which they seek to expose, except as basis for
Investigation by his own trusted agents.
The case against General Brady and his friends
has been presented in its incomplete shape to Pres
cent Garfield; and instructions were at once given
% complete the evidence and lay the whole subject,
including the sccumnl atcd mass of documents, afi-
tavits and various descriptions Of incriminating
nespcranda, before Attorney General Macveagh for
szph action az may hereafter be determined upon.
General Brady was appointed Second Assistant
foetnsster-General on July "a, 1875, to succeed
Judge Tyner, who twelve days before had been
fEomoted to DO Postmaster General. When the
hayes Administration came into power In the fol-
9ging March General Brady was retained holding
s Snee until his resignation was rendered on Wednes-
day last.
Nr. Bradys newspaper, edited by his friend Mr.
0okham will to- morrow publish editorial defence
s the late Second Assistant Postmaster General, to-
q ostaer with the following dispatch:
NEw-YoRK, April 90.
- George G. Gorhsm, Repaolcaw O0lce, Washington
yee win please say for me that oil charges direct OF
1Q1rect, affecting my integrity public official are
eoeolutey and unqusihedly false. THOMAS j. BRADY,