Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-10
Telegrams to The Star.
THE STAR ROUTE SCANDAL.
What They Say I'm Portland OF the
Proceedings Against Ex-senator


SAN FRAsC1sco. May 1O.-A dispatch from
Portland, oregon. says:-The kilograms from
Denver, Col, which have been published, giving
Information that legal proceedings had oeen
commenced against ex-senator Dorsey, Of Ar
kan saS, now secretary OF the national repuo-
ucan committee, for services rendered to obtain
an increase OF mail service and get additional
pay therefor on the star routes IN Oregon, at
iracled much attention here, the more so from
the TACT that 1t was stated that the papers on
which the suit had been instituted at Denver
had been received there from a welLkuowa
attorney at Portland, and that the claimant
was Well-known politician here. The Oreq0.
man set on foot an inquiry today, and got 10
the bottom OF the transaction, and the history
OF 1t fully Identifies ex-senator Dorsey with the
Is Frank ID. Wilcox. who. though formerly
connected with politics In Arkansas. has
rot appeared prominently In politics here.
became acquainted with s. w. Dorsey there.
He was the secretary OF the state republican
committee OF Arkansas, though he never held
otner of1ice; and bore prominent part 10 the
get out OF politics, he left Arkansas and came
to Oregon In 1877. When Dorsey began TO
operate In star routes in oregon, he remem.
as bis relations with him had been OF the most
Intimate KIND, he fixed upon WILCOX as the man
to help him work up to higher figures the mail
routes In which he had become Interested
Dorsey first telegraphed to parties IN Portland
TO learn II Wilcox was here Having ascer-
telIed that he was, he wrote him stating what
service he wanted performed, and directed him
TO 60 to Eugene City, giving him instructions
at the same time how to get up petitions, have
them signed, and make sub contracts for car
1yfng the mails. The petitions were to be for
Warded 10 Washington to be used In getting
service and the pay increased for the service
required. WILCOX was TO receive IS day and
bis expenses. Before starting for Eugene City
he received the following telegram:
"WAsHNGToN. DC, April &c, ls79-To f. d.
WttCoT:-Au my other letters written to
mediately. ''''A '''' Nv ''''
(Signed) s. W. DORSEY"
Money being received for expenses WILCOX
went to Eugene City. where he received Dor
seJ's other letters with memoranda directing
linn how to proceed. The route Dorsey first
City, across the Cascade Mountains to Mitchell,
In Eastern oregon. by the way of Pine Vale
The route is almost wholly unnecessary, as II
passes through nearly uninhapited country.
and the small centers OF population on it east
OF the Cascade range are supplied by other
routes. Dorsey drew up with his own hand
and forwarded to Wilcox the following form OF
petition, on which signatures were 10 be OBJ
talned and forwarded TO the Postmaster Gen
eraJ:
We, the undersigned citizens of Bridge creek.
oregon, beg to earnestly recommend to your
favorable consideration an increase OF man
service between Eugene City and this place 10
daily line, and ask that the speed be greatly
Increased. This route supplies large ana
rapidly increasing population, and is the sole
means OF conveying intelligence TO great por-
tion OF southern oregon. We believe the puo-
lie interest will be greatly subServed by an
early increase Of this service, and We earnestly
recC cCmmend IL.
To this Dorsey ADDED the following words of
1nstruct1on to Wilcox: "Of course, you want
the wolding as Wen as the handwriting OF each
person to be as different as possible"
Dorsey next proceeded to instruct Wilcox
how TO sIblet routes, az the following telegram
shows:
"WAsHIHGToN. April %, 1s79.-To F. ID. VIII
cox, Eugene City:-Make contract for Bridge
Creek route for speed OF ~ miles an hour, three
trips week. no Subconuact to be flied, bat
payment to be guaranteed by me personally.
Max the same contract on the Looking Glass
route. Send result to s. w. Dorsey"