Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-06-13
Star Route.
A GOOD WITNESS FOR THE DEFENSE.

II. ID. Norton, chief OF The hnauce division
OF the postoffice department, knew Reerdell
and Miner. Reerdell had often been in his
Office. Norton was asked what routes Reer-
dell had been interested in and the defense OBJ
jected to the question, but the wit
ness was finally allowed to an
swer. He said Reerdel came to
INQUIRE when the warrants would be issued to
J. W. Dorsey and Peck. Miner appeared in
his own interest and for Vale. Quite num-
Der of contractors held large number OF con-
tracts Individually and many oI Them en-
ployed agents to look after their business be-
fore the department. 1t was not therefore
considered an unusual circumstance when
Reerdel and Miner appeared in behalf OF
J. w. Dorsey and Vale. Reerdell and
Miner never conversed together In
his hearing. In answer to question by the
know whether or not Reerdell had power of
attorney from J. w. Dorsey, but presumed
the official files would show. In answer to
government counsel he said his division had
all the data relating to these contracts and if
the warrant had not appeared to be correct 1t
would have been returned to the auditor for
comparison and correction.
The orders for expediting, signed by the
second assistant postmaster general, were ex-
amined, and IL they were found not to be in
accordance with the law their correction
by the second assistant postmaster general
would have been necessary before they could
have been paid. On conclusion of the exami
nation of this witness, Ingersoll exclaimed,
"Bring us another witness just like this one."
Inspector Woodward testified that all papers
received by him from Mr.. Brewer, postal en-
ploye, had been kept without change in his
custody. No newspaper man had ever seen
them or written an article in his room since
he had taken possession OF them. This wit
ness was subjected to severe cross.examina-
tion by Wilson with the purpose OF showing
that he had confused and mixed up the differ
ent papers and perhaps placed them in the
wrong pockets, but he Ehad maintained that
nothing of the kind had happened to his
knowledge, although they may have been
misplaced by accident.
Merrick then offered papers (they are
orders, petitions and affldavits, referring to
different routes), in evidence saying IN reply
to inquiry that he intended to present during
the trial all papers on Tile In the department,
referring in any way to these contracts. The
papers were then presented in order, the first
being in order for increase and expedition
upon the route from Kearney to Kent, Neb.
The defense made the point that the paper
was signed by one French, and not by Brady,
set out in the indictment. A long argument
ensued as to the admlssibility of this particular
set of papers. The court ruled that the paper
might be admitted as matter explanatory OF
the allegations in The indictment. An excep-
ton was noted.
Brewer was recalled, and said Mr.. Root,
correspondent of the New York Times, had
been in his room several times, and had ex-
amined the papers, Root had been introduced
by Judge Riley, another employe in the post
office department, who said postmaster Cen
eral James had directed Root to be allowed &C
cess to the files. Altogether the witness
thought several weeks had been spent in this
examination.
After recess Morton was recalled by the COY
ernneut, and In answer to Mr.. Wilson ac-
knowledged that he had talked with Bliss
since giving his testimony and that Bliss lad
told him he had made mistake in his testi-
moGy as to the revision of any power passed
by the pay division over orders for increase
and expedition.
In answer to the prosecution witness said
they could not correct these orders. They
must pass there when they came from the Sec
ond assistant postmaster generals office.
They did, however, 60 over the calculations
in cases OF increase.
Merrick again proceeded with the introduce
ton of papers. On the back of one of the
orders for increase and expedition were the
words "Do this, Brady" in blue pencil and
this Merrick asserted was Brady's usual
method of signing orders. While one of the
petitions was being examined McSweeny made
the point that the signatures to it must be
paper to be on the files of the department.
After some debate the motion was overruled
and the paper admitted. Exceptions were
again noted.
The next paper was letter from Senator
Saunders to the postmaster general, in which
he sets forth the need of the inhabitants of
Loup valley for an increase in mail service.
This letter was dated senate chamber, Febru-
airy 6, 1879. A petition concerning the same
route followed, and Merrick called the atten-
ton of the court to the lnterlineations and
erasures upon it, the words schedule thir-
teen hours" according to Merrick's state
ment, having been inserted after the sigma
ture of the petition and before its filing.
Peck's oath as to the number of men and
stock needed to run the route at the increased
speed ordered, was next admitted, although
defense pointed out the fact that it was dated
prior to the formation of the alleged con-
spiracy.
Letters from persons in KearneY, Nebraska,
to Senator Saunders, asking whether the ser
vice could not be increased, were read by Mer-
rick, and attention was directed to the fact
that increase and not expedition was asked
for. Three letters had been referred to by
Senator Saunders to the second assistant post
master generaltwith the recommendation that
the prayers be granted.
A ub-contract, by which Vale agreed TO
perform the service for Peck upon this route
Tor SJSU per annum, was read. Turner ap-
pears as attorney for Peck, and Reerdell as
witness in this instrument. 1t contains the
stipulation that sub-contractor Vale shall re-
ceive all of the extra compensation allowed
for expedition and increase.
Objection was made and sustained to the
introduction of this paper, and after comment
by Judge Wylie upon the smallness of the
work accomplished during the day, court
adjourned.
, GRAND JURY WORK.
The gvand jury reconvened and proceeded
with the consideration of the star route cases,
taking up route number 5000, under con-
tract of J. NJ. Salisbury from Pembina to
Fargo. A number of witnesses from that
section went before them in that connection
Favorable to Northern Pacific.
MUCH MONEY INVOLVED.
Representative Payson, (Ill.), in behalf Of
the minority Of the house committee on ju-
dietary, has prepared and will tomorrow SUBJ
NIT to the house a statement of their views in
opposition to the report of the majority,
which is favorable TO the company, on the
subject of the land grant in aid of the North
ern Pacific railroad. The minority asserts
that the power to declare absolute forfeiture
of this land grant is in congress and that the