The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-11-08
THE STAR ROUTES.
District Attorney Corkhill Defends
Himself.
ARGUMENT OF MR.. COOK FOR THE
GOVERNMENT.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7.-Dlstrlct Attorney
Corkhill to-day, on opening OF the COURT, mace
a long personal explanation to the effect that
Mr.. Cook has been appointed assistant to the
Attorney General for the prosecution
of the Star route cases last June, at which
time Attorney General MacVeagh notified
him (Corkhill) of the fact, and that he Cork
hilD had had nothing to do with these
cases, Mr.. Corkhill also denied that the
charges that his adjournment of the grand
jury caused presentation OF the Star route
case by information. He said the fact was
that on the 10Th of July last the counsel Tor
the defence came into Court with the remark
able motion that the case be presented to the
grand jury, and that on that occasion he stat
ed that he knew nothing of the case and that
Mr.. Cook was the only man who could speak
for the Government in the matter, Mr.. Cook
then and there stated that it was his intention
after the summer was over to present some
cases to the grand jury. On the first Monday
in October the Attorney General notified him
that since the Presidents assassination he had
not given the Star route cases any special at
teution and that he knew nothing OF them,
and that he (CorkhilD need not bother him.
self about them, and that when his services or
those of the grand jury were required ne
would be notified by the person having special
charge of them. On the 18th of September he
was informed by Mr.. Cooks that the Attorney
General wished to see him in company with
Mr.. Cook. He called on the Attorney General
and was then requested to sign the criminal In
formation He then protested against the
abuse which he had been receiving and against
the insinuations that had been published about
the adjournment of the grand jury, and he
said if the Attorney General, as his superior
officer, made statement of the simple facts
this abuse would be at once slenced.
At the conclusion of District Attorney Cork
hill's remarks argument was resumed on the
motion to quash the information, VIM. IL.
Cook opposing the motion.
Mr. Cook declared that for upwards OF ten
years the prosecution of cases by criminal in
formation has been in us3 in the District of
Columbia and in the very Court in which they
were now engaged.
Criminal information had been expressly
authorized in the District of Columbia. In
the supplement to the Revived Statutes, page
50, the provision was found. In this case the
statute of limitations required the filing of an
information. He had no notice directly or in
directly of the recess of the grand jury He
had been called to Long Branch to consult
with the Attorney General, Postmaster Gem
eral and Mr.. Bliss, and when he reached the
city on his return he learned the grand jury
had adjourned There was but one pathway
left open and with laborous effort, with con-
slant work the information was prepared and
filed.
Mr.. Cook then proceeded to argue that con-
viction in this case would not render the ac-
cused infamous and that therefore the position
of the defence on that ground could not be
maintained.
In concluding his argument Mr.. Cook
said:-The information has been denounced as
absurd, contradictory and ridiculous, but when
the eye of pure and enlightened criticism is
applied to it it will be found it is clear, dis
tinct and plain statement of the crime en-
braced in it, and one that will justify by ample
proof the conviction of defendants unless
they can vindicate themselves, not by extraor-
binary and peculiar legal propositions, but by
accumulation of facts 1t is said there has
been delay Why? 1t was no easy task to as
certain the accumulation of filth and wrong in
the Augean stable, the keys and locks of which
have been so long in the possession OF Thomas
j. Brady. 1t has required almost herculean
power to let in stream of purity on the deeds
that were perpetrated while he presided over
the department. 1t was unavoidable delay.
Stopl stop! stopl was the wild and vociferous
cry of COL Ingersoll in the conclusion OF his
eloqent appeal. Why? Stopi stop! stop was
an appropriate cry for the defendants 1t is
the cry Of detected guilt everywhere. But
there is another cry that comes down the ages
wherever manhood has struggled for its
rights. 1t is, go on! go on! go onl'
There is form land here the speaker spoke
more slowly and with a great deal of feeling)
that passes and rises before me of one over
whom a nations tears have recently fallen. l
see him now as I saw him in the White House
few nights before he was stricken down and
the cry, $50 on, Go on!' And if your honor
will permit it will go on with the aid of my
brethren, OF traduced and denounced At
torney General whose life is without stain and
spotless, of vituperated Postmaster General
who from childhood's hour has had no accusa-
ton brought against him. With the aid Of
my noble, venerable and learned brother
(Brewster) and my absent associate (Bliss) and
the indulgence of your honor will go on until
these defendants may have had a fair and full
and justtrial.
At 800 the court adjourned until tomorrow,
when Mr.. Brewster win open his argument.