Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-02-21
The Star Route Frauds.

WHAT COL BLISS SAYS ABOUT THE INDICTMENT OF
BRADY EFT Al.
In an interview with Col. George Bliss chief
counsel Of the star route prosecution, last night
he stated in regard to the presentmentS made in
the star route that the grand jury was unan-
imous in It's finding upon the merits Of the cases.
One juror had some doubt as to the application OF
the statute of limitations 20 several OF the cases,
but none whatever as to the propriety OF return
ing indictments. Said Mr. Bliss: 81 regard this
unanimous action OF the grand jury as, first vim
dication Of the administration OF justice in the Dis
trict OF Columbia: secondly, AS vindcaton of the
administration of President Arthur, who has in
sisted from the first that justice should have full
sway In these cases, and that the guilty, II there
a vindicatiOn Of the prosecution and in a
minor sense OF myself, for I have said all
along that these parties ought to be indicted, AMI
that believed they would be. have had some
experience in criminal practice, and never aw
any case in which the evidence was collected with
SO much energy, intelligence and ability as in
these. That credit does not belong to
me, nor to any of the prosecution, but to
the inspectors OF the Post Office department, who
gathered their testimony from all parts OF the
west. There has been some criticism OF the ap-
parent delay or Glatoriness on the part of the
prosecution was all OF one nonth-and working
upon an average OF not less than sixteen hours i
day-Selecting and deciding upon the witnesses
whom we should call. For Instance: On one route
IN Washington Territory there were two witnesses
familiar With all the facts we wanted on the lower
end OF the route, and who were as familiar with
important facts relating to the upper end. We
concluded, finally not to call either OF these but to
summons witness who knew really less about the
route than the Others, but whose knowledge was
as to facts relating to the entire route. We called
him in order to economic. There were fifty-three
witnesses before the grand jury, and the aggre-
gate payments to them for witness fees and nile
age amount to about $4,000. We shall call
about one hundred and fifty witnesses for the gov
eminent in the prosecution or these cases.
"Colonel, when doyou expect to get to trial."
asked the reporter.
- hnr tad no Iofo =
In their desire for speedy trial. we can begin the
cases IN April. 1t viii require about ten days To
Ta M 'Re IN tim TaeS 1e1 Gs red
governments witnesses who appeared before the
grand jury have been allowed to return home, as
it would not have been fair to keep them waiting
here on lbs a day, which. OF course, would not
pay their expenses Some of the witnesses came
400 miles: We shall be ready to go in April
fed at the action OF the grand jury. He SAYS he
cautioned the foreman OF the jury against finding
any indictments that would not, in their opinion,
result IN conviction: that he urged them TO weigh
the evidence Well ana, unless they were satisfied
that it would convict before petit jury, not to
ndlct upon it. He states That civil suits win be
Instituted by the government against the various
mail contractors who are believed 10 have proiited
by the star route ring wherever there is reason
believe that these contractors have property upon
winch che government can recover. The sireties
OF the contractors cannot be proceeded against in
these cases, but Colonel Bliss Says the government
intends to make a determined effort to recover a
part at least OF the money Illegally taken from
and paid to contractors The action OF the grand
jury was great surprise to the accused and their
counsel, as they did not believe Indictments would
be returned. one OF the counsel for the defence
said last night that it was 4 small matter anyhow.
as they had club which would demolish the pros
ecutlon as soon as the cases got into court He
declined to state, however, what this club is. Col.
Bliss says there is no question whatever but that
all the cases OF tie persons indicted come within
the statute OF limitations.
THE CAPTURE OF THE RoBBER WITH RUBBER SHOES.
Last Friday Lieut. Johnson, Of the second precinct
arrested cOlored burglar named Henry alias
robert johnson, who Is reported by the police TO
be one OF the worst men they know. johnson " no
has half dozen alaSes) in the habit Of carry
ing bag fastened around his body under his coat
and would break into small grocery or other
stores in the outskirts OF the city and ill his bag
and walk OFF, This he has been doing for years past
SO the police state In October, 1850, Lieut.. Guy,
OF the fourth precinct. caught him one morning
very early going on his up-toeS in the dark
towards a small store He was in the habit Of
wearing3 rubber shoes On searching him Lieut..
Guy found pistol and jimmy in his sleeves.
For this, and robberieS with which he was con-
nected at that time, he served some time in the
county Jail. Lieut.. Johnson has connected him
with the robbery OF no less than four small grocery
stores.