Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-17
rHE STAR ROUTE TRIAL.
in the Criminal Court To
0ay.

When the Criminal Court assembled this morn
ing the star route trial was resumed, Mr.. Bliss
putting in first the contract on route A. 40, from
Eugene City to Bulge Greek, Oregon, on which j.
NJ. Peck was contractor. MI. Bliss followed this
with other documents relating to the route.
A. s. POWERS,
recently of Mckenzie bridge oregon, was called
to the stand, and testified that he established the
part OF the route from Eugene city to Upper
Ocheco, and ran it for three years. The with ,ss
gave particulars as to the equipment Of
required to operate it, etc. It required
twelve horses and five men to run 1t on a
used about as many men and horses on an "a
hours schedule as on 30 hours schedule. When
he started in as sub-contractor he received
was increased to s1O5 500, and at the beginning Of
1881 1t was further Increased to $4,000
On croSs-eXamination Mr. Wilson produced
letter written by the witness to Rerdefl, in which
he said that the mail could be carried six times
week on a SO hour schedule with few failures.
The letter was presented with view of showing
that the mail could be carried without failures il
the sub-contractor had employed sufficient stock.
The witness explanation was tnat In winter fre-
Quent trips over the route would keep the trails
open SO that the trips would be made with greater
expedition.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH RRRDELL
Mr.. Bliss had the witness Identity number OF
letters received by him from Rerdell, with whom
he said he correspOnded, in relation to the bust
ness OF the route.
During the cross-examination OF the witness
Mr.. Wilson questioned the witness with view Of
showing that the contractor had borne most OF
the Rerdell burdens OF deductions from pay.
Mr.. Bliss said that the prosecution proposed to
snow th9t when Rerdeu informed the witness that
they had no remissiOns or allowances from the
department, they, as matter of fact, had had
such remissions, and that they had received q
months extra pay without informing the SUBJ
At 12: 80 pm. the usual noon recess was taken.
NOTE.
Touching the late case before the grand Jury we
have the best authority for stating that Mr. Mer-
rick did not advise the finding OF the proposed in
dictment against Senator kellogg; that he desired
merely to have the testimony that appeared to
connect Mr. Kellogg with the frauds submitted to
the Attorney General for such action that officer
might deem proper: and that he had nothing
whatever to do with the proceedings before the
grand jury.
The Change OF District commissioners.
MIR. WEST SUCCEEDS MR. DENT-DIsTRICT EMPLOYEES
TAKE LEAVE OF THE LATTER
Commissioner Dent was ut his desk in the Dis
trict office on ~ street, this morning, as usual
and attending to routine duties, and in reply to
STAR reporter said he would remain unit, his sue
cessor appeared. About II 80 o'clock H. tele-
phone message arrived at the Office conveying the
compliments of Commissioner-elect Jos pa X.
west TO the commissioners and adding that he
would be at the Ofce on ~ street about IL O'clock.
1t was, however, but q few minutes after the mes
sage arrived before Mr.. West appeared. He walked
into the secretary's room, and was shown into the
Commissioners room by the dOorkeeper, where he
made himself known. Mr.. Dent at once sent word
to Major Lydecker'5 room, inviting his presence,
and Immediately afterwards Major Lydecker. ac-
compan1ed by Capt. X. L. HoXie and Lieut.. +. V.
Greene, entered the Commissioners Office. brief
time elapsed, when Capt Hoxie and Lieut. Greene
returned to their respective rooms. NJ. Dent then
formally turned over his Gesk to the new Com lis-
sfoner and retired from the room. The three Com
mlssloners, Morgan, Lydecker, and West, remained
10r some time TO themselves.
MI West was Unanimously elected President OF
the Board
TAKING LEAVE OF Mr.. DENT.
But few about the Office knew of the presence OF
Mr.. West, but it soon became noised about the
building and he left the Office for brief time dur
ing which all the clerks and emp,Oye, In the
building assembled in the secretary's Office, and
Mt. Dent having returned to the Commissioners
reon, each one 11ied In and took leave OF him. Mr.
Attorney Riddle. after the Misunderstanding was over
addressed Mr.. Dent In most appropriate terms ex-
pressing sorrow in behalf OF the clerks and en-
ployes at parting with him as their Chief He said
that for four years they had been accustomed to
had been most pleasant He had maintained the
position OF chief with the kindest regards OF ALL
and had administered the Office with integrity
fidelity and In justice to all All desired to thank
him from their hearts for his Kindness and consid-
Grafton, and express their hope for his future hap
piness and prosperity.
Mr.. DENT REPLIED
in the most felicitOus manner, thanking them for
their kind expressions which he most cordially
reciprocated. While he had epdeavored to dis
charge his duties with justice and1eQuity, and at
the same time In accordance with law he felt
that he had been faithfully sustained by an able