Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-12-08
THE STAR ROUTE GANG.
Decidedly Cheeky Tactics-The Secont
Trial to Proceed.

WAsHINGTON, Dec. I'm the Supreme
Court of the District to-day, District At
torney Corkhill announced that the gov
ernment was ready to proceed in the star
route cases.
District Attorney Corkhill and Messrs.
Bliss and Merrick represented the govern
ment. The array Of counsel for the de-
PENDANTS is nearly the same as in the for
mer trial, with the addition of Walter
Davidge, who assisted in the prosecution
of Guiteau.
Mr.. Ingersoll submitted motion for a
continuance Of the case, and read an affi-
dayit of Stephen W. Dorsey that his at
tendance at court is impossible, as he is
suffering from disease Of the eyes which
keeps him confined in dark room with
his eyes baudaged; that he cannot attend
without risk Of permanent blindness. and
that he intends to offer himself as wit
ness in his own behalf and in behalf of
the other defendants.
The affidavit is sustained by affidavits
of Drs. Bliss, Marmion and Sewers. and
by Messrs. Carpenter, Ingersoll and
Dayidge, his counsel.
Mr. Merrick opposed the motion, and
asked to have put on file DOrsey's card to
the public. published on Friday, in order
that the court might see that Dorsey pos
sessed abundant yigor to make a public
attack upon the government. He argued
that a man equal to the preparation of
such a document on Friday, ought to be
able to appear in court on Monday, the
day when these atfidavits appeared to have
been made.
Judge Wylie refused to admit this paper,
but decided that the trial could proceed
without Dorseg's actual presence, as he
was under bond and represented by cOun-
sci, and the motion for a continuance was
overruled.
Mr.. IngersOll, after passage with Judge
Wylie, asked time to 60 to his clients room
to procure his signature to another paper
\ recess for this purpose was granted.
When the court reassembled, Mr.. Wilson,
of counsel for the defendants. read long
affidavit sworn to by all the defendants,
setting forth that they cahEOt safely 90 to
trial because of the acts Of officers Of the
government in endeavOring to influence
public opinion against the defendants,
and to intimidate and cOerce witnesses,
jurors and the officers of the court, who
have the selection of jurors. Among the
acts Of intimidation so alleged, were the
arrest of Dickson. the foreman of the last
star route jury, who nad resisted the eff
forts to corrupt him made by agents Of the
Department of Justice, delaying his trial
arrest and prosecute the person whom
Dickson charged with the attempt to
corrupt him. the removal from Office
eff Marshal Henry. Postmaster Ainger,
Assistant Postmaster Parker. Helm, the
foreman Of the Congressional Record, and
Norton, the post ONCE clerk, for the avow-
ed reason that they were iii sympathy
with the defendants, and the publication OF
the letters Of MeSSrs. Brewster, Bliss and
q oh nj Il
fair and impartial trial. The affidavit
also expresses the belief that in the selec-
tiOn of tallesmen for the jury, influences
preiudicial to the defendants would be set
on foot. and that the appointment of Clay
ton McMichael as Marshal is part of that
scheme. They also charge Judge Wylie
with bias and prejudice so that he cannot
fairly administer the law They therefore
ask that the case go over until the next
term, when another Judge will hold court.
AT the conclusion of the reading Judge
. Wylie said the only question in his mind
was whether he would permit such pa
per to go on record,
Mr.. Merrick asked that the paper be i'm
pounded, because it was false, imperti-
nent and scandalOus.
Judge Wylie said the paper was an in
suit to the court.
Mr.. Ingersoll disclaimed all intention to
offer an insult in alleging bias and preju-
dice on the part ofthe court, and said that
nearly all the States had laws providing
for a change Of Venue in such cases.
Judge Wylie said there was no such law
in the Federal statutes, He, however,
permitted the paper to go on file,
Nr. Wilson then read another affidavit
from Brady, in support of a motion for a
separate trial for himself. This motion
was Overruled, as was also another call
ing for a bill of particulars. While this
was going on Attorney General Brewster
came into court and joined the govern
ment counsel. The case then reached the
stage of selecting the jury. Adjourned.