Morning journal and courier., 1882-08-23
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

The Star Routers' Dsfense-Mr. Totten
 Finishes His Argument-Other Matters
 of Interest.
 WASHINGTON, Aug. 22.-In the Star route trial this morning Mir. Totten resumed his argument. He maintained that the prosecp- tion must be confined to the allegations of the indietment and proceeded to review the circumstances attending the expedition of Star service on the various routes embraced in the indictment and to justify the orders issued by Brady. Mir. Totten declared that there was no evidence of a conspiracy be- tween the defendants What was the evi- dence that these mems minds ever met on or about the 22d of May, 1879, in order to de- fraud the government No eye had ever seen these men together in convention under any circumstances calculated to arouse sus- picion. No ear had ever heard word said to raise an idea that there was an unlawful combination between them to defraud the government. The burden of proof was on the government to satisfy the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that there was conspir acy. Truly this was a :, of shreds and patches. IT prosecution held up an order that was sclatched, petition that was dirty, an affidavit that was altered and said: 'Losk at this. Here is evidence of fraud Here is evidence to convict any man of any char ge whatever" The jury could not convict on any such evidence. MT. Totten then went on to criticise the testimony of Walsh. He called attention to the fact that Walsh had not been witness before the grand jury which had found the indictment against and claimed that Walsh had not matured hls story until he went before the last grand jury. Mir. Totten then reviewed and argued the falsity of the story told by Walsh of his interview with Brady, in which the latter had stated that he received 20 per cent. of the amount of all expedition and 50 per cent. of the amount of all remissions. Even if the story were true it was not evidence of any criminal combination. It was rather proof to the contrary. Mir. Totten was followed by MT, McSweeny for Dorsey.
 Orders have been issued opening and man. ming all the life saving stations on the Allan tic and Gulf coasts from September l to and 4, which open September 15 and close May l. The salary to the men is to be $50 month without rations. The salary to off cers has been increased, but not yet definite ly fixed
 General Dumont has returned from his lantic ports and says he finds them about equal in equipment to American vessels ex- cept that they carry less number of life preservers.
 Surgeon General Hamilton received dis patch from Brownsville, Texas, this after noon stating that there were fifty-f new cases and four deaths to day.
 Acting Secretary Joslyn, of the Interior department, now uses a stamp to aftix his sig nature to unimportant papers. He has taken the initiative in this practice and is likely to be followed by other heads of departments, as it has been declared legal.
 There were issued to, day 4S2 patents de- signs, trademarks and reissues, aud 96 pen sion certificates. Among the patents were twenty one to Thomas A. Edison for improve | ments in electric lighting machinery. The President has appointed Joseph B. Hammond postmaster at Patchogue, N. Y. The office became presidential July first. Four presidential postmasters commissioners were sent out to-day, including that of Jud son T. Stevens at Utica N. Y.
 Congressman Hend srson, secretary of the Republican Congressional committee, denies l that any money was turned over to Liberal 1 from North Carolina and hence there could have been no misrepresentation of funds as l alleged.
 Owing to certain legal technicalities which have arisen it is probable that the transfer of bonds set for to morrow will not begin be- fore Thursday Friday.