New-York tribune., 1882-02-21
| STAR ROUTE MEN INDICTED.

UNANIMOUS ACTION OF THE GRAND JURY.
EXAMINING FIFTY-THIEE WITNESSES AND ARRIVING
AT a UNANIMOUS CoNCLUsIoN-GEoRGE BLISS
on THE RESULT.
The Grand Jury at Washington has indicted
several of the Star Route contractors forming
what is known as the Dorsey Combination"
and including ex-senator Dorsey, Thomas }.
Brady, ex-Second Assistant Postmaster
General, and John r. Dorsey. The
Grand Jury has examined ifty-thrce witnesses,
most of whom came from the Far West; and its
decision was unanimous. Colonel Bliss feels
much encouraged at the result of his labors,
and says that he will be ready to try The
cases in April
THE RINGLEADERS COMING TO GRIEF.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TETBUNEl
WASHINGTON, Feb. 90 he Grand jury which
has had under consideration for several weeks the
Star Route cases, has voted indictments against
what is called the Dorsey combination. This in
cluded ex-senator Stephen W. Dorsey, John K.
Dorsey, his brother, John T. Miner and John n.
Peck, now cad. Albert Z. Boone was n member OF
the combination at one time, but was crowded out
to make for II. VI. Vail, who is
indicted. EN-Sccond Assistant Postmaster
General Brady is also indicted. The officials
ke any statement regarding The alleged indlct-
ments, as tho lac that they have been voted cannot
be made public officially until the Grand Jury comes
into court; hut there is question that the
presen ments have been made. The fact thai Cen
cral Brady Is indicted ought to be sufficient
answer to the talk that has been IN circulation to
the effect that the little star Route criminals were
to be punished and the big allowed to escape.
Allegations of that kind not only without
foundation in fact, but are far as they relate to
General Brady, illogical The essence of the charge
against the Star Route men is tha of conspiracy,
and in every OF the great cOnsplracies General
Brady is an essential factor. The Dorsey combina-
ton, he Salisbury combination and the other great
combinations could only succeed in their designs
against the Treasury through either his connyance
or his nellicency The prosecution assumes and
pr poses prove conniyancc, aud thus it is that he
becomes a common factor in all the great combina-
tions making mp what is called the star Route
Ring.
There are not wanting those who assert that the
Indictment is to he only form and that the sinners
of polite influence, like General Brady and ex-
Senator Dorsey are to be allowed to slip away.
Charges of this nature have even appeared of late
in Republican newspapers that have prOfcssed en-
tire sympathy with the Star Route prosecutions.
Such nsinuations utterly unjust. Nothing ever
seemed clearer than the honest energy OF these
prosecutions as conducted by Colonel George Bliss.
That gentleman has been at work every day for
months past upon these cases and persons who
have become familiar with the details Of the prose-
cutiOn say that he has infused into it remarkable
degree of spirit and determination, and pre-
dict that his efforts will be crowned with the
conviction of the defendants. A gentleman who
was not connected with the preparation of the
cases but who has knowledge OF n good part of
the evidence, remarked the other day that if the
Star Route men had any idea of the mass of proof
that was stored mp against them in Colonel Blisss
rooms ia the Post Gfice Department they would
"cither commit suicide or leav country"
In one respect the history of the preparation of
these cases has been unusually romantic Many OF
the witnesses came from remote regions IN the far
Northwest, which are almost inaccessible at this
season o the year More than one subpoena has
been served by means Of tramp of scvcnty-iiye or
a hundred miles on snow shoes through the noun
tains. Feats of great endurance have been accom-
plished by the picked force Of half a dozen sent
ont by the Department upon his work. and it was
done with such fidelity and zeal fhat OF
the scores of wi ncsses sent for, all but one have
either been produced or accounted for large
and important phase o. the work here has been done
by inspector Woodward who has been DIGGING evil
dcnce Out of the files OF the Department since last
April
The routes upon which the indictments have been
obtained number nineteen or twenty. WIN them
all the familiar prOce- were followed. The con-
tractors bid low and Geu crl Brady raised the price
high meantime allowing the contractors to take
their own tire in beginning service. The nature OF
the oper Itions is sufficiently indicated by the
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