Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-17
NOT ALARMED.

The Government Counsel No. Disturbed
by the Star Route Bribery Afhdavits-I
The History OF Falls Connection With
the Department of Justice.
WasHrNGToN,0ct. 16.-When asked wheth-
er he had anything to say in reference to |
the affidavits published this morning in
connection with the star route jury brib- |
cry affair. Mr.. Merrick said in his opinion
it was beneath the dignity of the govern
ment counsel to engage in a newspaper
discussion of the matter at this time. The
whole matter was under investigation and
in two Or three days he expected the spe-
cial csu 'sel would make q report. Mean;
while any attempt to forestall public opin-
ion would be unsuccessful.
Without doubt an attempt had been
made with more or less success to foist
upon the government the services of cor
rupt men, with the object of damaging
their case. TWAS circumstance worthy
of remark that every one of the Jurors
whom it is alleged were corruptly ap-
preached. voted for the acquittal of some
| of the defendants. Some time ago. when
Falls disloyalty was first discovered, the
| district attorney was advised by letter of
the circumstances by the government
counsel. and his prosecution re-
commenced. After FlaIs dismissal he wrote
several letters to the attorney general.
who refused i'll the most emphatic Ian
guage to have anything further to do with
him, and referred him to Merrick. He had
not, however, avaiied himself of this ad-
vice. Merrlck added he already had three
| for 70
ton of the grand jury, and would also be
ready to proceed with the re-trial of the
star route cases just as soon as they are
reached on the court docket.
Gov. H. Fl. Wells, special counsel for the
government, who is conducting the inves-
LEGATION into the jury bribery charges, was
asked if he had read the affidavits pub.
lished this morning. He answered:
eyes; 1 have read Col Ingersoll's very
ingenious argument, and while it contains
many inaccuracies and evident mistakes.
do not think it is proper for me to discuss
the matter in the columns of the paper.
may say, however, it is not true that I was
employed by Mr.. Cameron. Indeed,
never saw that gentleman nor had any
communication of any sort with him or
any subject until was employed to do
plain professional duty. Another seriou!
mistake is to suppose that am investigat
ing cases of alleged bribery il
any private interests. I would no
undertake an investigation of that sort, re
garding it as unprofessional. understand
my duty to be to prepare the cases agains
: the accused parties, and when prepared
shall undoubtedly prosecute them in ap
propriate legal tribunals. Nor will thei
prosecution be hindered by this publica
. tion of Col. Ingersoll, or any like publica
tion. The character of some of the per
sons making the affdavits is so notoriousl,
bad that their statements would not b.
likely to obtain much credence anywhere
My opinion is the public will be satisfied
: Wait and see what the real acts are. NJ,
work is in such a state of for
wardness that I have for some day
been in 'possession of all of material fact
to which several of the afidavits relate, bu
as they include but small part of tn
matter before me, it ought not to be lait
, before the public until it is possible to Civ
/ a full, true and complete history OF all tn
) TRANSACTIONS
From the records of the department it i
learned that Fall was discharged July
: for proposing to control the verdict O.
J some members of the star route jury il
| favor of the United States, providin,
, clerkships could be obtained or guaran
teed for their friends. He was original,
; employed because he was lawye
of good standing in this city
and it was represented to the government
he had in his possession evidence of tn
corruption of one of the jurors while en-
gagged in the trial of a previous case
/ When Falls improper conduct was discov
cred he endeavored to shield himself b.
r saying Taylor told him this was what tn
l department wanted. He was, however
summarily discharged for, as alleged, i
: soon became evident that both Fall an,
Taylor had come into the department a
, spies for the purpose of doing things t,
compromise it. Taylor, another of TIN
atlantis, had formerly rendered good ser
vice to the government lin othe
cases. He was never regularl,
employed, however, being paid from da!
: to day as his services were required. Hi
) statement was received at the department
to the effect that Taylor had made an af
, fidavit that he was employed by the de
l partment to corrupt jurors. He deniet
: it positively, and it is understood that thi
and subsequent conversations were report
ed by concealed stenographer, and will
!, materially damage his last affidavit. Afte
> his discharge upon August 1 Taylor, it i
further alleged, strove to create the i'm
preston that he was still employed by tn
department., the last attempt of this kline
being upon the occasion of his visit to MI
Cameron October 7.
, PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 16.-Attorney Gen
. eraf Brewster, being spoken to this evenins
in reference to the affidavits published thi.
morning charging that men in the emplo.
of the government had attempted to brib,
some of the jury in the recent star rout,
trials said: Il do not think it becoming
to carry the case of the government agains
criminals into the newspapers in advance
of the trial. The matter is i,
r gaod hands. There is no fund from
which any money could be draw
for the corruption of jurymen on behalf O.
the government, and there was no interes
that the attorney general of the United
States could have in attempting it, even i
anybody could think ne capable of it
The whole fabrication bears upon its fac,
the fraud that has been practiced. My on
ly connection and interest in the star rout,
case was the fulfllment of public duty
and that aim endeavored honestly to car