The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1882-09-15
MIR. Dickson's Charges.

Washington Post.
Mr.. william Dickson, the late foreman OF
the Jury in the Star-Route trial, is so fortu.
nate as TO possess good reputation and many
friends. His standing In this community
was such and has been such for the last
twenty years, that the attorneys on both Sides
OF that great case reposed tho fullest conf
dence In his integrity. Imputations on the
made, nor viii they be by those who have due
respect for the proprieties that usually obtain
among honorable men.
allegations that cannot be ignored or treated
with levity. He asserts, and his statement
is corroborated, that an attempt was made to
induce him to find for tho prosecution, as re-
CARDS some OF the defendants, whatever might
be the dictates Of his judgment and the de-
mands OF his conscience. Mr.. dickson gives
the name OF the person who approached MIN,
and the fact that this person was and Is an
agent of the Department OF Justice, materially
augments the gravity of an accusation that
would be grave enough under any circum-
stances.
Before the court adjourned Mr.. Dickson
asked the presiding Judge to institute
which the court had been made acquainted at
the time of the alleged occurrence. As soon as
possible after the close OF his duties on the
jury, Mr.. Dickson nled an affidavit In the
oflice Of the prosecuting attorney, giving de-
tailed account OF the attempt TO bribe him.
Since that time he has written an earnest let
ter 10 the Attorney. General OF the United States
In which he says:
"As citizen OF the United States, demand
from YOU protection against tnc VenOmOus,
malicious and contemplate assault5 upon my
private character by your principal assistants
and the officers Of the Department OF Justice
for daring 10 perform sworn duty according
10 my honest convictions OF right and Justice
The tone of the above request Is Just what
might be expected OF an honest, high-minded
gentleman placed in Mr.. Dickson's unpleasant
position. He feels indignant that his motives
hayo been aspersed. Any honorable man,
having been compelled by his sense OF duty 10
ind q verdict opposed to public prejudice,
would think that duty sufficiently unpleasant
without having his loyalty and rectitude as
sailed.
II is not, OF course, necessary TO conclude
that the ofiicial who approached Mr.. Dickson
with his ignominious proposals act5u on any
higher or better authority thEn his own mo-
tiOn, but IL is not ~ al unreasonable to infer
inst the contrary. We have no such faith In
the inability OF the Department OF Justice as
TO prevent the belief that under certain cir.
cumstances and for the purpose of accomplish
ing certain ends, II would not undertake TO
bribe juryman. Whether such inducement
existed In this case, or whether or not any
reasonable presumptions can be found 10 JUS
tify the Government In an attempt to buy q
case which It had not the evidence TO secure,
is the thing to be found out.
The matter is certainly OF too weighty I'M
port to bo Ignored. IL involves rights and I'm.
munitles dear to every citizen. 1t implicatos,
as 1t were, the last and highest refuge Of jus.
tice In scheme full OF danger and disgrace
to the safety and dignity of our institutions
There should consequently be q prompt and
thorough investigation OF all the facts con
nected with II.