The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1881-10-08
The Star Route FiZZie.
sufficient.

reference to the star route business for the
that the matter did not appear to us to be in
proper shape for comment, But now that the
allegation of fraud, so industriously circulated
over the country during the last four or five
months have received the sanction of the Gov
eminent prosecutor and been brought to the no.
tice of the court feel at liberty to express oul
views at least so far as they may relate to what
! has thus far been accomplished
The information recently filed against General
Thomas j. Brady, late Second Assistant Postmas-
ter-General and Others lovers about fifty pages OF
extra large-sized legal cap paper, closely printed
gether end to end make roll of between fifty
and sixty feet in length. 1t is certainly most
vOluminOus document.
The charge made is that of a conspiracy to de-
fraud the Government through improper lettings
OF contracts for carrying the United States mails
over certain routes, and the information is sworn
to by the Postmaster-General Mr.. James, and by
one of his subordinates, Mr.. Woodward.
So far as the question Of guilt on the part of
the accused is concerned we shall express no opin-
ion, because we have had no opportunity to exam
But portion of the case has already become a
part of history, and to that extent at least is a
proper subject for discussion
As already indicated, the information recently
1oI n
spirators is an exceedingly lengthy one and yet,
upon careful examination, we have failed to find
in 1t, when stripped of its legal verbiage, any
material facts that were not fully made known
to Congress at the time of the star route invest-
CATION some two years ago. and which have been
heretofore published broadcast over the land.
The original charges were chiefly made or in
spired by one Kinds, who was indicted for COM
plicity in the "straw boDas affair in connection
with mail lettings, somc sour or FIVE years since
and who barely escaped the penitentiary through
a loop hole in the law and the shrewdness of his
attorney.
Kinds has now become a witness and his
former counsel, the attorney against General
Brady, who was concerned in the effort to bring
the former to justice
Gibson, another prime mover in the present
prosecution, will be remembered as the individual
who so grossly maligned, during his lifetime our
late President, General Garfield,
Months ago the public were informed through |
he press that sufficient evidence to convict Brady
md others had been found, but when the time
came to lay the proofs before the grand jury the
was forced to admit to the contrary,
md the jury was adjourned until early in Sep
ember. When September came neither the At
orney- General nor the person especially deputed
" him to look after the prosecutions was present,
or was the Postmaster General nor any repre-
entative from his Department. They knew the
curt was to meet at a certain time, that the
rand jury would be in session to receive such
roofs as they might have to Offer and yet alb
ented themselves without any known reasonable
ause or excuse.
The grand jury was therefore adjourned until
october. Last week the Government, by its
ega representatives, appeared in court and asked,
OF for an Indictment, but for leave to file an in
,rmation against the alleged criminals, which
as granted.
The reason assigned for this unusual step was
lat before an indictment could be prepared or
blamed the prosecution would be barred by the
atute of limitations, which fact must have been
nown to them months before.
Now, the Constitution of the United States pro- ,
des that mo person shall be held to answer for {
capital or otherwise infamous crime unless on I
presentment or Indictment of grand jury, ex- |
pit IN cases arising in the land or naval forces
in the militia, when in actnal service in time g
war Or public danger" The information
larges an Infamous crime-one punishable by i
lprisonment in the penitentiary-and we fail to Q
e what possible advantage is to be gained by L
ing it. An Indictment seems to us the only II
oper mode OF procedure If such be case. and
e prosecution fails because of its not having g
en properly instituted, the officers of the Gov
nment are culpable for their neglect This is
hight matter If General Brady be guilty he
serves and ought to have the punishment melted Is
t to HIM that is commensurate with his offense +
he law officers of the United States have pro- -
aimed him guilty, the Postmaster-General has l.