New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-14
THE STAR ROUTE TRIALS.

WASHINGTON, July J3.-Pending the intro
duction Of documentary evidence on the route from
ssguache 70 Lake City, Col, the prosecution called Con
tractor Albert Boone, OF Washington, to the stand to
give general testimony.
Mr. Boone testified that he knew all the defendants
in the case and had engaged in business relations with
some Of them In November, 1877, he met stephen W.
Dorsey in the Post Office Department, aud had CONVEX
saion with him This conversation was ruled out by the
Court upon objection by the defence Mr.. Boone was
then requested what lie had done as result OF
that conversation
Objection again made for the same reason namely,
that the action least two previous to the
beginning of the alleged conspiracy The Court believed
that II was question relating prelimn ries and the
action might brought down to the date OF the indct
mept by further testimony long argument followed
The Court thought that it was proper to prove that these
parties were combination anterior To the conspiracy
On the other hand it not competent TO prove tho
existence of conspiracy by the evidence OF any con
sprator previous to the existence Of the conspiracy as
fixed in the indictment or after its dissolution.
Mr. Merrick stated that he expected 10 prove that g.
w. Dorsey had entered into arrangement with Boone
10 procure these contracts and divide the profits The
witness was permitted TO proceed.
In conversation wh Senator Dorsey that night he had
been requested to take part the mai[contract bust
ness letter had been produced from Peck, and he
believed that Miners name had been mentioned. His
business to he the preparation Of the necessary
lie answered that John W. Dorsey, Peek and himself
were the persons mentioned. His first action had
been send out ciIcu ars TO pos masters on all OF the
routes requesting information relative to them He had
by letter Informed Miner Of this proceeding. John W.
Dorsey not then in town lie had next had printed
number Of blanks for bids. The next step To I'LL
the bauk bids and this had been done at his own house
a. Doses house. ana Miners room several en
he said they had been prepared partly by himself
and partly by Miner Where possible the bids were
he circulars His Interest in business TO be
third interest with John W. Dorsey the rou,es held by
him lie dd not know exactly what interest was held
by the other parties in the general business lie mad
prepared drafts OF subcOnracts TO be used IN case the
contracts were secured clause providing I0i e1pe
don mad been inserted IN these drafts, and this Was
something new in his experience Some one OF the com
biIauon mad made me suggestion; lie was hot certain
IL had been talked over with several OF the
mebers Was positive tat be had spoken TO senator
dorsey about tnis clause witness Lao hlso prepared the
bonds under the Instructions OF :. W. Dorsey. Tney
were OUT To postmasiers at Little ROCK and
Fort smith some sent TO Clendennn. The Sen
ator SAID If the bonds were sent there they would he
uilrd and returned lie had filed up he blanks left for
the amount OF tue bonds ana the hSe OIL he route De
fore sending them out II was und rstood mat every
fourth bid be- made III his name lie had LETT the
combination ia August, 1873. He asked why he
lie replied That some OF the routes notably the
a VASE amount OF money, that they were not able
to carry the service upon others properly
partner win capital he taken nand tins Was done
| Vale coming iuto the business as TINS partner
Mr Merrlck declared tnat the witness bad not gwen
such testimony lie mad reason TO believe he would
give (sarcasc lau liter on the side o the deence ana
uerDa,s he would De able 10 show why. He snOuG In
slst however upon the right to crOssexanlne the Wit
ness The prosecution evidently desires 10 prove ~ TIE
Witness that nAd been caused by Brady
hostility but the animation Resulted III A.te
| excrpl ioud discussions between counsel.
James H. Clenuennii, OF Fort SInltR. Ark, testified
| tbat In 1877 ne postmaster M Fort smith. lie
| knew ex-senator Dorsey aud mad cOrrespOnded VITA
him Witness was shown and identined letter from ..
" Dorsey lncOsIng blank proposal for mall service.
| lie hau replica 10 tails Letter. .
| lanes /. Blows next called, Mr. Merrck ex-
planning that wished To prove b. this witness tnat
defendants signed the names OF one another lnds-
| cTmlnately.
Bvron L. Coon and John Callahan. two postal en-
poyes were The Grand Jury today as Witnesses
| ia tue star Route cases.