Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-11-27
Removal of II, stsr-.oute svr,vata:.ors,


ter D. B. Anger, Assistant Postmaster NJ.
II. Parker NJ. D. Helm, foreman of the
Congressional Record, and George L. Spen-
Ger. commissioner Of the Union Pacific Rail-
road.
These removals were brought about by ii
report Of George Bliss to the President,
charging them with interfering with
the administration of justice in the
Star-routc cases. Colonel Dissss report
was referred by the President to the Alter
ney General for an opinion. The Attorney
General, in IN extended report, upheld the
charges made by Colonel Bliss. and recon-
mendcd 10 the President that they be re-
moved from Office, rs above stated
The following is the reported Of Attorney
| General Brewster to the President:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov p, 1882.
TO The President ofthc United ,Tcics:
SIR: The letter Of George Bliss. counsel
for the United States in the Star.routc trials
addressed to you, dated November II, 1852,
referred to me by your order, has been care
fully considered. The facts set forth init
are not new TO INC. From considerations OF
lesal rs well as official policy, | have thus
far "bstaincd from calling your attention To
| these matters:
am much better satisfied that Mr. Bliss.
acting rs counsel in the case, Of his own mo.
ton has submitted to you the subject there
in dealt with. Since received The letter,
Dir. Merrick and Mr.. ker, colleagues of Mr.
| Bliss, called upon me and invited my attcu-
ton to the subject in the same manner that
Mr.. Bliss has in the letter written by him 10
| i. my Lat 10 Il
tice have been intcrfcred with by all of the
persons complained by Mr.. Bliss. Mr.. 1Icr-
rick and Mr.. kcr.
The marshal OF tic District is responsible
for much of the opposing sentiment to the
case of the Government that was exhibited
in court and out Of court during the trial OF
the Star-route case. His negligent and r.
regular conduct in selecting the talcsman
strictly objected to at the time and so in
formed him. The public interview that
he was guilty of, and referred TO by Colonel
Bliss, il one that must subject him to the
severcst censurc AS all officer of the court
and IN officer of the Government he was
guilty i'll this Of an oilcnSc which has been
punished by courts rs 4 gross act of CON
tempt. | recommend his immediate re-
moval. He is an unsuitable person and ha;
iniuriously intcrlcrcd with the proper con
duet Of this Star-route case, and given his
personal sympathy and the sympathy Of his
office to the indicted defendants.
Second.-D. B. Anger, the postmaster OF
this city, and his assistant. Myron NJ Park.
CT, arc justly subject to all the charges pre-
sentcd by Mr.. Bliss and think obey should
be removed. No men holding public ap-
pointmcnts should he permitted to use the
influence and power Of their positions as
they have used theirs, or lie permitted to in
tcriere with such prosecution or any prose
cution urged by the Government in vindicl-
ton Of the law.
Thrd.-The man Helm, recently appoint
ed to the head Of one Of the departments in
the Public Printing Office, is by law l<ec
1868 incapable Of holding that office. mas
much as he controls public newspaper
but will further add that the paper he
controls las to which control positive cvi-
dcncc was given upon the trial ofthc causci
is paper VIGOROUSLY and con!rsscdly own
ed 10y one Of the defendants: defendant
the most culpablc of all, since il was by his
ollIcla! crlnilnah mallcaSancc The cOgrupt or
dcrs were made aud the frauds successfully.
perpctl"tcd. His paper had been engaged
from the beginning of these prosecutions
down to the discharge Of the jury in the most
violent abuse ofall who were supposed to
he interested in bringing the defendants to
justice. The judge was not even spared the
counsel were persistcntly sandercd. and the
witnesses were openly assaulted, denounced
and tcrroriZcd by one continuous current OF
personal abuse and calumny. I'm of the
opinion that this man should bc forthwith
removed and am astcnishcll that those
vino have charge the Government Print
Ing Office, with the public knowledge OF
these facts, should have vcnturcl toappont
him. He is not man to be- trusted in Tie
responsible position he holds
Fourth.-In conjunction with Mr.. Bliss.
respectfully call your attention TO the con-
duct of George +. Spencer. Upon the day
otyour departure from this city immediate.
~ after the adjournment Of Congress a COM
muncation by Mr.. Bliss and the other coun
sci III The case was sent through ne, lodging
with you complaint against George T..
Spencer, Those paper; did no; reach you
at that time. This was during Tic latter
weeks OF he trial in fact, the evidence mad
closed and counsel were addressing the Jury.
Those papers are now before YOU Sir. Bliss
by his letter, which you have referred to me.
called your attention TO them. BIZ them it
appears that Sir. Spencer is delinquent
and absconding witness that he can testify
to material aud important G,crs, and that ht.
lett Inns CITY, and has ever since sccrelc,l
himself and avoided the process Of the law.
lie holds an mportantpuhlic position. and is
the last man who should hesitate TO he prcs
ent in court to testify i'll a case of this mar
nitude, and in which the honor Of the Gov
eminent and the administration Of publi,
justice is concerned. and because Of his cen
surable delinquency unite with Mr.. Bliss
and the other counsel in the case in asking
his immediate removal.
Time enough has been given him to an
pear and explain. Not one word has been
heard from him. and lie has disappeared IS
if he were dead. have directed the most
thorough search to he ma,ic for him, and
thus far no trace Of him can be found. That
search will be persisted in, and ifhe can be
had. he will he had and brought into court
and made to answer for his act of gross con.
tempt and disobedience, and obliged to tcs-
tify to those facts which arc within hi;
knowledge, and are SO essential TO maintain
the prosecution of the defendants.
Filth.-George O. Miller, one of the police
the District, in recent judicial inq JURY,