The new North-west., 1881-10-07
STAR ROUTE FRAUDS.
pr..ieen. Arthur Means Business.

President Arthur Means Business.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30.-The Star route
ring Ia demoralized. They feel that light
ming is about TO strike them, but don't know
jus. how or where It will hit. Postmaster
General James and Attorney General Mac
veagh have evidence enough, they are salts
fed, to convict the ring, and there Is to be no
delay In the prosecution. This morning
there was conference held at the Arlington
Hotel between James, Macveagh, Bliss,
Brewster and others who represent the pros
ecution. Bliss submitted the indictments
which he had carefully drawn up against
Brady, Dorsey, McGrew, ex-Chief Clerk
French, Salisbury, Gilmer and other Star
route contractors and benefciaries Of the
ring. Bliss stated he would pledge his pro-
fessional reputation upon conviction. James
and MacVeagh approved the action of Bliss,
and these indictments will be placed imme-
diately in the hands of District Attorney
Corkhill for presentment to the Grand Jury.
James, Macveagh and Others engaged in the
prosecution have no confidence whatever in
Corkhill, and they make no secret of the
fact. They do not charge that Corkhill has
been influenced by any money consideration
to favor the Star route ring, but because
social and personal relations so influenced
him. All the officials concerned in prosecu-
tions maintain Corkhill has obstructed their
progress from the first, and therefore, was
determined to prepare all papers for present.
ment fully, and keep them in his hands, SO
all he will have to do will be to submit them
to the Grand Jury. This Is why Bliss drew
up the papers, and although Bliss has some
pressing business in New York, he has re-
mained here at the request Of Postmaster
and Attorney General to watch the present.
ment of these cases. II Is the intention of
the prosecution to assist the Grand Jury to
take hold Of the cases Immediately upon the
meeting next Monday, but as Corkhill in
sists upon prosecuting Guiteau's case first,
that will take precedence. Several persons
implicated have confessed and given away
the operations of the ring. The prompt and
determined stand Of President Arthur in
faver of the vigorous prosecution demoral
lied and dismayed the ring leaders, who had
kept the weak ones silent by assuring them
that II Arthur became President the whole
matter should be Immediately quashed.
As soon as 1t was proper after the death of
Garfield, James and MacVeagh had an in
terview with the President about the Star
route matters. The President had already
declined for the time being to accept the
designations of the Cabinet and had request
cd them to continue in the discharge Of their
duties just as they would have done had
President Garfield survived. President Ar
thur assured James and MacVeagh there
must be no mistake as to his purpose toward
all persons who have been guilty of fraud
toward the Government. II there has been
q Star route ring and the Government has
been defrauded he wanted the guilty party
punished. General James informed the
President he was satisfied Of the frauds, and
If he was 10 remain even temporarily in the
Postoffice Department, he would insist upon
having support and assistance on exposure Of
wrong doing. Arthur assured James it was
his earnest desire for him to remain where
be was sDd conduct the Department as he
had done since he took charge of it, adding
the whole country had applauded James
administration. 1t was not long until the
Star route ring ascertained Arthur could not
be deceived. Into giving them any counte-
nance, and this seemed to be their knell.
One Of the highest officials of the Post
office Department said that In the past thir.
ty-six hours several persons connected with
the ring had surrendered and turned States
evidence. 1t Is pretty well understood that
Walsh, formerly of New Orleans, who
brought, . few months ago, several suits
against Brady for the necessary money, Is
one of them. The Government will conclu-
sively prove conspiracy, and unless some Of
the accused parties jump the country they
will probably be In tight place before long.
The action Of President Arthur In removing
the Star Route Postmaster at Deadwood, was
Q revelation to tue Star ring. The ring did
not know he had made written confession
detailing oil the fraudulent operations Of the
ring in the Northwest.
For some months past one of the mos,
efficient inspectors Of the Postofiice Depart.
ment has been secretly investigating the
management of the Deadwood postoflice
and when he confronted the Postmaster will
his proofs, the latter confessed.
The document charges the alleged conspir
ators with defrauding the Government ou
of S350,000 In manipulating contracts fo
mail service on that particular route, be
tween July 1st, 1878, and June 30th, 1880
One of the counsel for the Government
referring to other persons than those men
toned in the document presented to-day
said the papers were in active preparation I,
be presented against ex-senator Dorsey an,
several other persons who hold Office unde
the Government and that the counsel tina
was engaged In the prosecution of the Sta
route cases intend TO proceed against then
IS fast rs formal papers can be got ready.
Nobody, ex-District Attorney Bliss sal,
to-day, connected with tho Star route fraud
are to escape prosecution except such per
sons as may choose o appear and give testi
mony against others. Warrants are said b
have been issued for the arrest of all person
charged with conspiracy in the documen
presented to-day, excepting General Brady
| DESTROYED BY DYNAMITE.
A Terrible Explosion At Council Bluffs, lows