National Republican., 1882-08-30
THE sTAR-RouTE TRIAL.
Continuation OF Mr.. Jerc wilson's ArRu-
mont nnr the Defense.


In the star route cases yesterday Mr.. Wilson re-
sumed his argument for the defe nse. He claimed
that there must have been time when this crime
was complete, Otherwise the statute Of limitations
would be q dead letter. Whenever the crime was
completed the statute began 10 run. He did not
think 1t would do TO say that every time an act
was done 1t was renewal Of the original con-
spiracy The offense Of conspiracy did not differ,
In respect to the limits Of the law, from other Of
lenses. Judge Wylie asked Mr. Wilson II he would
date the rum ing of the statute from the forma.
ton Of the conspiracy. Mr.. Wilson said he would,
and although the conspiracy might run a long
time ai(er that date, he would date II from that
time. He argued that acts subsequent / o the
formation Of the conspiracy did not bring the date
of the conspiracy along with IT, The indictm ent
was brought under the statute Of May II, 1879
Now
1T WOULD BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL
to apply the later statute to acts occurring prior
tN May, 1879. Mr.. Merrick brought the defendants
together in 1871. II that was true, then Mr. Mer-
rick had given his case away entirely. He be-
GS ia the ths Jury hG Sn S mt, fa qp
into the face of the court. Mr.. Wilson said Mr..
Merriok represented cx.S Senator Dorsey as the very
| Lucifer of the whole business Brother Bliss
thought there wasn't much of n shower, 50 far as
Dorsey was concerned rhe newspapers had seen
this divergence In their views, and one OF them
| Attorney. General would side with Brother Nor.
rex or Brother Bliss. He was about 70 read
tained the objection. The Indictment charged
that these contracts were held for the mutual gain
| and advantage of the defendants
THE CHARGE MUST BE PROVED;
nothing must be left TO conjecture. The prosecu.
ton was seeking to prove The case against his
client (Brady) by circumstance. MIR. Wilson thea
entered into very close analysis Of the evidence.
| Tue first that was known of this case was when
bnS Sg hs Wa Mss in
| Dorsey received letter that his brother and
brother; n-law were going in to bid for carrying
the papers for them. Mr. Dorsey got MIR. Boone
g come to his house and he arranged the papers.
hu W. Dorsey, John NJ Peck, and John
Ed. MnSg with aSoa. sSS0ne o R%t in a6Sus %
| asked what was not straightforward or honest
or bu iness.likc in this arrangement. Had not
| men over and over again formed u partnership to
evidence that s. W. Dorsey had loaned these con-
| tructors money. The evidence showed he in
dorsed their notes and
| TOOK COLLATERAL TO SECURE HIMSELF.
| The appearance of Vaile, the interest which he
| took in Miner and the argument which Vale
used with Brady to obtain an extension of time,
were natural ana reasonable i'll every respect. II
they gave Bradys telegram TO Vaile-tllat the
failure to perform the service on The Miner, Peck,
ahd Dorsey routes could not be permitted longer
its true Significance 1t corroboratcd Vaie's testi
| mony and showed that there was no conspiracy
or understanding between these men, hut that
their business was Of an honest aud straightfIr-
ward character. About April /, 1879, said Mr..
Wilson, the partners separated and their interests
| were never brought together again. They had no
evidence that any Of the money Vaile or Bosler
got on the Dorsey contracts ever went TO any other
defendant There had not been syllable of proof
to show why Brady should not have had the
strongest faith in the integrity of the petitions that
were filed with him, indorsed by Senators, Repre-
sentatives, and distinguished civil and military
| officials. Mr.. Wilson claimed that Brady could
not be held guilty of conspiracy because he had
| not discovered alterations in the petitions. Mr..
| Wilson then argued that the jury
| CorT n
to him, and that they could not infer that Brady
knew the aftdavts to be false. AS to the state
| ment that Brady had disregurded letters written
to him by postmasters against the. schedule, Brady
| had to decide these matters, nnd.as he had VOL
umes of petitions on the one side against letter
on the other he could not be held guilty of fraud
| ih deciding as he did. Mr.. Wilson discussed the
subject of expedition and the needs of 1t In some
| cases, and SAID there was no evidence that Mr..
| Brady had refused to revoke the orde1on theMin-
eral Park and Phoebe route after having been or
| dered to do so by Mr.. James that Brady had no
power to do it, and if Mr.. James wanted the order
revoked 1t was his own duty to revoke 1t. At
| o'clock the court adj burned Mr.. Wilson not having
| concluded his argument.