Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-08-08
Tho Star Route Cases.

QUICK WORK BY THE DEFENSE.
WARRINGTON, Aug. Tn the star rout
trial the court excluded the reports of Gen
Brady for the fiscal year 1876, which the de
Tense offered with the object Of showing tha
Gen. Brady offered to congress measures cal
culated to protect sub-contractors. severa
similar reports were lkewise ruled out. Aftei
some unimportant testimony, Ingersoll an
nounced that SO far as his clients, the Dor
seys, were concerned, he was through, and
similar statements were made by all the Other
counsel for the defense.
This unexpected action OF the defense
created considerable surprise and recess was
taken.
After recess Bliss Appeared, looking indis
posed. He proceeded, however, to examine
A. j. Boone, recalled by the prosecution to
rebuff some portions of Wallets statement
Mr.. Merrick offered to show by the witness
that in the spring of 1878 Vale had known
Miner and had at that time signed a contract
at Senator Dorseys house, although Vale
swore they never met before August of that
year. Defense objected, because the contract
spoken of was not included in the Indictment
Court held that the witness had right to
refresh his memory by consulting paper.
1t was not proposed to introduce the paper
itself in evidence.
Witness said he saw Vale and Minor al
Senator Dorsey's house in the latter part OF
April, 1878. Boone was then asked
10 state the number OF bids he made at the
letting of 1878. Objection was made. Bliss
the routes upon which he bid. The court
decided that the question should not be ad-
mitted because the defense had not gone into
the subject.
Crossexamined-Wit had met and
spoken to Vale at the department when the
letting was made; he had not eeen Vale sign
the contract, but knew his signature; the con-
tract was his own (witnessO but had been
taken from him by force; he knew Vale was
here in the first part of April, 1878; he might
have gone to Denver after that time;
TO the best of his recollection Vale was
here when that contract was signed the 30th
OF April, 1875; Senator Dorsey and Vale were
present at the time; Jno. Dorsey was absent;
if he had had any difficulty with Vale in the
department that difficulty was of Vaile's own
seeking. Witness was asked if he kept letter
books. He replied, to the amusement of coun.
sci, that he did not. 81 conducted my bust
ness on graveyard principles, said he. Wilson
then introduced a certified statement of fines,
deductions and remissions on the routes set
out in the Indictment
The contract office clerk then identified the
copy of letters in the letter book as bearing
the signature of Gen. Brady. The object OF
the introduction of this evidence was to con-
tradict witness French, who testified that OH
December 2Sth, 1880, he had acted as second
assistant postmaster general. Merrick moved
that all the evidence taken today relative to
ReddiDg Alturn's route, be struck out, be-
cause no action had been taken toward the ex-
petition of that route.
In answer to 1ngersoll, Judge Wylic said it
seemed to him the evidence had been offered
to show that there was case or two where
they (the defendants) had done nothing with
which they were charged, but a mans good
actions could not be an offset against his bad
actions. Ingersoll deemed that such was the
object. In his opinion Brady q refusal to grant
this expedition was bad act for it appeared
necessary.
Court said then he had disregarded the pub.
lie needs and should have been dismissed. The
whole trouble appeared to have arisen from
misunderstanding Of tie evidence On his part
when it was offered. He would accordingly
allow the evidence already taken to remain,
and would also admit the additional paper
(afiidavit) presented by Bliss.
Adjourned.