The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-12-21
FELEGRAPHIC NEWS
THE STAR ROUTES.
Attorney Bliss Talks to a Re-
pOrteP.

lbVA NSAs
Chicago, ia Washington special
saws: Bias, government counsel, speak
ing to an interviewing reporter, said he
! would break over the rule and talk, as he
had never before. Then answering cues
lions and speaking for himself, ne said
regarding the charge that he had seIec-
ted the lesser star route cases, and passed
over the greater ones, took the eases as
/ found them. The case against Dorsey
had been taken Hp by HcVeigh, Gibson
and Cook, as they alleged, under the con-
currence If not the mitigation of Garfield
as the case to be prosecuted. It was rep
resented that the case was ready for trial,
aud it WAS only upon that understanding,
said Col. Bliss, that having refused be-
fore to enter, went into the case. After
had associated myself with govern.
ment counsel in these csses, much to nv
surprise, found the case Of Dorsey and
associates wes not ready for trial. He
prepared it during the six months almost
alone, providing all the time against the
other cases dropping by the statute of
limitation. I procured the Indictment
Of J. B. Prizes, Maserole and others. As
to the Saulsburys and Pinkers, T pre-
sented five cases to the grand jury that
indicted Dorsey, apd was surprised that
they did not find q bill against them.
The fact was accepted IS an indication
that was mistaken in my judgement of
what constituted necessary evidence to
convict them. Therefore agreed to refer
to three arbitrators the question whether
the Ssulsburys and their defendants had
received any money from the govern
ment which they ought to repay. It was
agreed that this arbitration did not pre-
vent the government from resorting to
other proceedings, either civil or Grim
inal upon these routes. The ar
bitrators consisted OF Elmer, Sec
oAd Assistant Postmaster General,
who had been an efficient agent
in cutting off all fraudulent star route
claims; Colonel Ingersol, as the repre-
sentative of the defendants, and myself
1t was agreed that the arbitrstors should
act by a majority and should act upon
any evidence satisfactory to them.
Whether it be strictly legal or not, 1 re-
gsrded it then, and do regard it as sub
Htantislly placing the Saulsburys and
Pinkers in the heads Of government so
far as these routes were concerned. 1t
was reserved to Ipgersoll and myself
each separately to substitute some one in
cur place. Ingersoll did not take advan-
tage OF the agreement but I substituted
Lyman, chief clerk Of Mr.. Elmer, whose
position with reference 10 the star route
crowd is beyond question. The arbitrs-
ton was regarded ss giving great advsn-
taGe to the government. It does not bar
criminal proceedings. The Saulsburys
are made responsible for all their dunn
mics who we're put forward as nominal.
contractors, so If any of them have gov
eminent money the Saulsburys must
pay it, while it went to a suit the most
the government would get would be
bare judgment as to the Saulsburys and
others. 1t is remarkable fact that the
lilies OF the pest office department are
slngulsrly devoid of records, so devoi !
that while have no evidence upon the
subject, I cannot but feel that papers
have been removed from the fles
of the department since public
attention was attracted to the
matter: Ny feeling is intensified by
what III know as to the infdelity |
OF some persons at one time connected |
with the investigation of these cases. As
to Salisbury and others, there is this |
distinction between them and the Dorsey |
combination; the latter go treated ali |
their sub-contractors and employees thai
all of them are ready and willing to be |
witnesses for the government and freely |
tell they know, and freely surrender ell !
papers IN their possession that could in |
any way aid the government. Salisbury |
and others seemed to have understood |
how to attach their subordiuates to them, |
and the result is, no evidence is volun- |
TERED. do not propose 10 eeek TO indict |
any body whom don't believe, if in |
dlcted, can convict, and / don't pro-
pose to protect from indictment snv
whom l can convict. From this posi-. |
ton shall not be driven By sny clsmor
OF interested parties, or any denuuciatiou
of the misled press.
has not the government evidence
sgslnst these and other large contractors
been quite sufficient to warrsnt indict-
me1ts, if the facts should be submitted
to q grand jury?
You are touching upon ademain upon
which I cannot enter.
what evidence the government has
against persons not yet indicted, ] can't
state. What we have we shall utilize st
the proper time; aud in such manner as
our duty seems to require"
us 1t true the statute of Limitation has
run against these persons?"
II DO not think il is true that the
statute of limitations has run against env
charges sgainst any man as 10 whom the
government has evidence. nor do / think
the limitstion can run against any euch
person before March 1884 at the soonest. %
us it true that any friends OF Blaine
have been shielded by any one connee ted
with the prosecution"
mo, not since l came in the case GER
talnly. l have not Geen anything to indi-
cate that Blaine had any relation to the
frsuouIent cases. ODe Salisbury, l have
Deen 'oid, married some relative of
Blslne's, but while l have euud q large
number Of senators writing letters more
or less formal to aid different contractors
L do not recall that have ever see the
scratch OF pen in that direction with
Blame. / do not rank myself as a
supporter of Blaine, but he, in
justice, Is entitled to his statement so long |
I'D tho matter ia referred to. We were |
obilged to keep Spencer here a few davs
before we could use his testimony When |
we wanted him we were unable TO fad |
him and were surprised to finG that be- |
had gone back to Nevada. He sslt a |
telegram tina. if insisted he would return |
hsre. l replied that l did insist upon il. |
aEd lnereupon sWore out warrant Of at
tachment upon him, but directed that il |
should not be served il it vas found thai !
ne had started or was about to start In
point OF fact he returned to bis mines in |
oseeola, twenty-five miles from the near |