Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-06-02
THE STAR ROUTE INvEsTIGA.
TION.

TION.
THE GOVERNMENT HOT ON THE TRACK OF TIL
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. WOODWARD, GIBSON
AND COOK IN CONSULTATION 10 DAY.
Sixth Auditor McGrew was still at his desk
this morning waiting for his successor to put in
an appearance. He said he was not conscious OF
why he has been asked to resign. He says that
when at the White House yesterday he did not
see the President; that Secretary Window
asked him to resign, and he rendered his re-
signation In compliance with such request. $50
request OF my resignation came to me as 8 sur
PRISE. have laO0red to faithfully discnsroe
my omcial duties, and am clear In my con-
WrenS M eUen eon3Suad nave M done nothing
there Is published the statement that nv
O putty, MI. Lilley, was derilect, and am held
responsible therefor. This Is ali fudge am re-
agement Of the sixth auditors ONCE, and do
not want the responsibility fixed elsewhere
HOW long will you remain?"
relieves me. l see that the papers say Fifth
ueve." w
WHAT IS GOING ON IN ROOM 50.
Over In another portion Of the post Office
building room No. SO, sat Detective woodward,
Mr.. A. M. Gibson, and Col. Wm A. Cook. The
WV lOl mCI uASc Uccu SOu6 llIle GmDlOyoQ On
the Star Route investigation. The latter was
yesterday employed by the Attorney General
as special counsel to formulate such evidence
as Is on hand for presentation to the grand
jury. Col. COOK Was going over pile OF pa
perS when THE STAR man entered. He is not
communicative at any time. and was especi-
ally ret1cent to-day. It is known, however
t, dnat the Attorney General desires to have evil
deDce presented for the action OF the new
grand jury, which will be drawn in about ten
days. THE STAR asked Mr.. Gibson II there
were any other prominent removals impend.
We don't make removals here" said Mr..
Gibson; we only report facts. You will have
TO 60 up STAIRS" meaning to the Postmaster
General
WHAT POSTMASTER GENERAL JAMES SAYS.
The STAR man went up stairs. In the room
OF the Postmaster General were Gen. Stewart
L. Woodford, of New York, Secretary OF the
Navy Hunt. and ex-Secretary of the Navy Goff.
"Gen. James," said the STAR man. sWhat ia
there to say about the designations OF Auditor
McGrew and his deputy?"
"You will have to inquire, as to that, OF the
secretary OF the Treasury. l have nothing to
do with the Sixth Auditor. heard late yesJer-
day they had resigned. l suppose they have
IN, The President @ or the Secretary Of the Treasury
"Well," said the STAR man, "this building
over which you preside is just now filled with
rumors that there are to be other important
changes. How as to that?"
know OF no immediate changes, nor have
heard OF the rumors. There is nothing now
In a shape to make 1t public
THE RUMORS AFLOAT.
The rumors referred to are, that several of
the clerks in the contract Office, who have
charge OF what are called sections, are booked
for dismissal Detective Woodward told a
gentleman to: day that there might be removals
late this afternoon. Talking to one of the
clerks In charge Of section to-day, and one
too, who is supposed to be OF the doomed, he
said to TIE STAR representative:
"Wel, all there Is to 1t is this: When Brady
gave the order to expedite route or to increase
the schedule, all the heads OF sections had to
40 was to obey the order, or the result would
nave been to give place to clerks who would. |
bad no more power TO increase schedule than
you have: Brady issued his orders, and my
duty was to obey him !"
THE GOVERNMENT CASE.
1t Is said that the Attorney General has
already sufficient evidence showing the division
OF money among the members of the .sring,"
as We'll as the names of those who "pooled
poets the grand jury to bring In q presentmeut
for conspiracy. The duty assigned to Colonel
Cook is to prepare in succinct form this evil
dence for the grand jury, and, in case OF indict-
t1ons to the end. 1t is reported that over a
dozen persons Will be joined In the Indictment
for conspiracy. including Gen. Brady ex-Sena-
several star route contractors. The details of
the evidence on hand Will not be made public
until an Indictment Is found. After this the
united states VIII In the broad spirit of the
accused speedy and impartial trial.
THE LETTER APPOINTING COL. W. A. COOK As
PROSECUTOR.
1t has been stated in TIE STAR heretofore
that IN the examination OF the "Star Route
business by the Post Of1ice department, such
portions Of the statements as would be availa-
Die In criminal or civil prosecution Of the
parties concerned were being collated, and
tnat this testimony was br1efed and sent TO the
Attorney General for his information. From
the fact that yesterday Col w. A. Cook, after
an interview with Attorney General MacVeaph
on the subject, was appointed by him special
Assistant ass US: Attorney to aid In the prosecu-
office lthe Attorney Generals) has come to the
conclusion that criminal prosecution should
be Instituted. The following is Col Cooks let
ter OF appointment:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
WASHINGTON, June /, 1881.
Willtdn, A. Cook, Esq, Washington, DO,
ant US Attorney for the District Of Columbia. %
20 aid In the prosecution OF certain persons
charged With being concerned in frauds on the
United States In connection with what is known
as the 'Star Route" investigation, at COM
pensation to be determined by the Attorney
General when the suits are ended. You will
take the oath prescribed for district attorneys,
auO AouoAAAu GuO 6d1lo W ILLS UcUAFtm6QG.
Very respectfully. WAYNE MACVsAGH,
Attorney General.
This morning Col Cook presented this letter
10 the Criminal Court, Judge Cox, and request
"a that 1t be entered on the records Of the
court. ana 1t was so ordered.
COL. CORKHILL RECOMMENDS MR. COOK.
Prior to the above action Col Corkhill had
several interviews with the Attorney General
2n the subject and 1t was thoroughly canvassed.
The last OF the interviews was yesterday, and
The Attorney General conceded with the sug-
gestion OF Col. COrkh1ll that some special at
torney should be appointed. Col Cooks name
was mentioned as probably the best appoint
ment that could be made. Col. Corkhil assured
The Attorney General that Col. Cooks appoint.
ment would be entirely agreeable to him and
ne could heartily cooperate with him In the
prosecution.
COL CORKH1LLS 8 LETTER ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE.
OFFICE OF UNITRD STATES ATTORNEY,
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
WASHINGTON, D. c., June 1st, 1881.
Hon. wayne Mac Veagh attorney General q. s.,
Washington, D. c.:
Dear Sir: Referring to the Interview with
you this morning concerning the prose-
cution OF certain persons charged with
being concerned with what Is known as
the "Star route investigations desire to Sl1p-