South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-06-23
Letter from Washington
tFrom or Htya,ar cerr.,renssn,.l
wAsuINaToN. y. C.. June :

WAsHINaToN, y. c., June 20.
Interest in the Star route-trial now
IN progress does not seem TO be as
great here rs might be expected, pro-
6Rbly because those who understand
the ms and outs Of the matter do not
expect that anything serious will come
of 1t. In the first place proof of a
conspiracy Of this kind, where every
thing Is done under the form of law,
is an exceeding difficult matter 70 es-
tabish. All the circumstances and
common sense conclusions may point
clearly enough in one direction, while
distinct legal evidence fails. And
furthermore, with the lax notions of
moral oLliquities III official relations
with Uncle Sam, which prevail here
at the Capital, render the verdict of
Jury in such cases mighty onsartin.'
With, also, such galaxy of legal
strength as is arrayed on the side of
the defeuse there is daily manifesto
ton OF the fact that the prosecution ia
heavily ovcrweighted. The Attorney
General does not give much personal
attention to the trial, and such lawyers
as Corkhill, Bliss, and Merrick are
no match for the half dozen ADLER
ones on the other side.
Then above and beyond all this
comes in the question Of political in
tiuence and the real bottom intentions
and purposes Of the Administration.
There are not many here in either
party who believe that President Ar
thur seriously wishes Dorsey or Brady
convicted, though he wants to be un-
derstood publicly as pushing for that
end. Mr.. Merrick is the ablest law
yer on the Government side, and the
only one III whom there is much CONF
dence. Up to this time he believes eve.
rything is being donein earnest, but this
does not signify what his convictions
may be later on. The prevailing opin.
ION III legal circles here, based upon
present indications, is that the trial will
be very long and that there will be
no convictions. Mr.. VIM. A. Cook,
who was engaged IN the beginning
tor the prosecution, and who Is, OF
course, thoroughly acquainted with
| the theory on which the Government
rests Its prosecution, is prophesying
that nobody will be hurt. In this
| connection il is somewhat remark
able coincidence that shortly after Mr..
Cooks services We're dispensed with
by the Government bis law partner
vas retained rs counsel by the Star
route contractors. Cook knows more
OF the tricks and methods, question:.
| bic or otherwise, Of successful de-
Tense IN orr District courts than any
lawyer here.
The Republicans have never work.
cd the mine OF political assessments
Tor campaign purposes with such bold.
ness aud energy rs they are applying
to IL now. Circulars are being sen,
to every employe oil the Government
male and female, from the heads oil
bureaus, clerks, postmasters and Off
Gals OF various kinds, to the page,
boys at the Capitol and the watchmen
and scrubwomcn everywhere Two
per cent OF the pay received is the a.
mount demanded. This amounts tc
from s. TO $40 each from the labor
ers ana apprentices, etc, and to much
larger sums among the better paid
classes. IL is not easy to tell what the
entire levy will amount 10, but the
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
appropriation bill which includes the
greater part Of the employees Of the
Government. calls for S19,777, 600
and two per cent. would be 1896 $40
"a snug sum for Il campaign fund
Add 10 1t the amount from other EN-
ployos not included i'll this bill, and
the sums to be received from mono
poIists and moneyed interests whom
they have benefited ard il will readi
iy be seen what nh advantage the
party las in entering the can vnss. -
Most of the money will be disburseC
this year by the Congressional com
mittce, and they intend to put it where
it promises to DO the most good. -
There Is to be no delicacy or back,
wardness.
But in spite Of all this. and oil thC
power Of the Administration added tc
u, the party managers are deeply o.
harmed at the political prospects. Thc
situation i'll the three great States o
Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York
Is anything but assuring TO them, ant
tho President himself 10 reported d.
feeling the deepest solicitude. Grea
efforts arc TO be made by tho party in
the South. Realizing that it woulc
be vain to expect to maintain thcir
! present representation in the House
from tho North a desperate contest
was early resolved upon in certain
Southern States, and every alliance Of
combination that promised the slight
est temporary advantage has been
seized upon 1t was to this end that
snch - shameful course was pursued