The Portland daily press., 1882-03-27
TIE STAR ROUTES.
aratG

Motion to Quash Several of the Indict-
ments.
WASHINGTON March 25.-The criminal court
room was crowded this morning in anticipa-
ton of a probable hearing of the Star route
cases. When the court opened the scene was
highly suggestive of the Guiteau trial, with
the exception of the absence of the usual pro-
portion Of ladies. At the tables reserved for
the defence we're Col. r. G. Ingersoll, Judge
Carpenter, Jefferson Chandler of st. Lonis,
Judge Brown, Calvin Totten and Messrs Will
son, Turner and Smith. District Attorney
Corkhill and Colonel Bliss appeared for the
government.
Colonel Ingersollon behalf of Stephen W.
Dorsey notified the court that he desired to file
a motion to set aside and quash the Indictment
and was prepared to submit authorities i'll sup
port of it.
Judge Wye directed him to read his motion
which was based upon the following groundf:
L. That the grand Jury had no legal authority to
find said Indictment.
3 That the district attorney had no authority to
draw said Indictment and exhibit to the grand jury
because George q. Corkhill, district attorney, did
exhibit the bill of Indictment without order of
the supreme court of the District of Columbia or
any Justice thereof.
s. That the grand jury did not find the indictment
of their own knowledge, neither were Dorsey ct al
bound over to answer the action of the grand jury
jeremiah Wilson as counsel for Brady then
filed motion to quash the Indictment as to his
client, ana alt6r Feduing Inc paper, WulCu was
very long and set forth numerous reaSonS-ID-
cluklpg want of jurisdiction insufficiency in
averment of facts to set forth crime against
the United States because the crime as set
forth is not such one as to be penal under the
laws of the United States because at the time
of commission of the acts charged the defend
ant was an officer OF the United States govern
ment and his acts not a subject of investiga-
ton by this conrt.
Judge Wilson stated that he was prepared to
file special plea in the case of Mr.. Turner,
aud desired to know il the conrt would dispose
of it at this time.
Colonel Bliss replied that if pleas were to be
made the parties must be formally arraigned
and the indictment read.
The District Attorney intimated that the
reading of the indictment would require five
hours and that it must be better to proceed
with the motion before entertaining the plea.
The counsel fol- the defendant was willing to
waive arraignment but the counsel for the gov
eminent refused to have the arraignment
waived.
Judge Wylie stated that he did not deem it
necessary, but still it was matter of the pros
ecuting officer to decide whether they would
insist upon arrangements or not.
After protracted discussion on the part of
the council, Judge Wylie ruled that arguments
would first be heard upon the motion TO quash.
Judge Wilson then read motion on behalf
of l.. G Hine TO quash the Indictment for sub
stantially the same grounds as set forth In the
preceding motions.
Another protracted discussion then followed
dpon suggestion of Colonel ToJten that the
counsel for the defence had not expected to be
called upon to argue their motions to-day and
therefore were not prepared with their author
tiles.
Judge Wylie was not disposed to submit to
further delay and remarked, there is enough
of you. One can talk while the others look up
authority.
AT this point matters were still further COM
plicated by Judge Browns suggestion that he
appeared for the parties also indicted for con-
spiracy who were directed to appear to-day,
no were in court and ready to be arraigned or
tried and he wished to know the pleasure of the
court in respect to them.
Another discussion involving the new fea-
ture resulted in an agreement to postpone
further hearing as to Dorsey and Brady until
Friday next.
Colonel Ingersoll gave notice that he should
file in connection with the motion to quash al
SO demurrer.
Colonel Bliss then asked for arraignment of
the parties indicted in the bond cases.
General Brady left the court room with his
counsel and further interest in the proceed
'ings being at an end the crowd quickly re-
tired
Attorney General Brewster has decided not
to fill the vacancy in the Star route counsel
caused by the retirement of w. A. Cook, but
will select additional counsel to take charge OF
the prosecution in conjunction with George
Bliss.