Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-06-04
WASHINGTON.
The Senate Differing with it's Pres
ident.

WAsH1NeroN, June 2-In the Star
route cases to>day MIR. Bliss OF
counsel for the Government, made
the opening argument, explaining
the case to the jury. Inc oelense
were ready with objections to parts
of Rliss's statement of the case as
being in the nature of improper in-
PRODUCTION of evidence, and at one
time lively wrangle had gotten well
under way, when the Court inter.
posed abruptly. Apologies followed
from counsel On both sidae and frssnl
the Judge on the bench, and Bliss
resumed his speech. He consumed
the entire day, and at the conclusion
court adjourned until Monday.
Mr.. Bliss concluded his analysis
of the figures he presented from the
accounts of the department, with the
statement that one year of Brady's
management cost $7,264, 1872. The
contracts to be awarded, July 81,
this year, will only cost 50, ,468, 755.
The cost per mile had been reduced
from $1,000, under Mr.. Brady, to
S862, little more than one half,
under Mr.. Elmer's management, and
this because there are no favored
contractors.
Mr.. Wilson objected to allowing
Mr. Bliss to make comparisons be-
tween contracts let four years ago
and those let now, which have not
been and may not be performed, be-
sides the conditions were greatly
changed, but the court overruled the
objection.
The general deficiency appropria-
ton bill reported to the House to~
day calls for nearly nine million dol
lars. Among its items are those for
deficiencies in the expenses of the
Yorktown Centennial, S32, 1928; tenth
census expenses, $4,000, and credit
to ex-Treasurer Spinner $4,000.
The Investigation of the so-called
whisky ring was resumed this morn
ing. Before the examination was
commenced and while waiting for a
quorum, Col. Wharton, attorney for
the distillers, said to Chairman
Window that he thought the prose-
cution's witness ought to be put on
the stand first in order that those
who are charged with having re-
sorted to Legitimate means to in
fuenee legislation, might know what
the case was against them. Mr.
Window replied that there was nc
prosecuting witness, that his il
formant had learned of money being
raised by the distlllers, and as they
had legislation pending he supposed
it might be il ended Tor that.
The chairman added tina; he also
had knowledge of these facts and
had some suspicion, but said that in
moving in the investigation he dis
tinctly stated that he had nc proof
of the charges. He said, however,
that his informant would be put on
the stand before the close of the in
vestigation.
}. W. Atherton was recalled and
still declined to give the names OF
the persons who asked him for en-
ployment in connection with the
Legislature. He said only one pos>
itively asked employment, but one
other suggested that he would like
such employment. Nothing i'm
proper occurred in the conversation.
The parties who spoke to him were
both lawyers. They did not mens
ton ary Congressman or claim any
influence or make any threat.
Mr.. Stagg, distiller, of Louis
vile, said two persons, both lawyers,
approached him with the view of OBJ
tanning employment, but their serv-
ices were declined. They did not
claim any influence or mention
any congressman. He declined
to give names, as it would subjec
the parties to an unpleasant noto
riety. They had neither said no
done anything wrong, and he coult
not see any good to come from men
tloning their names.
Colonel Wharton, attorney for th,
distillers, was next sworn. He alst
said two persons, both lawyers, hat
approached him with request fo
employment, which he refused. Boil
men were personal friends OF his, ant
would not hesitate to talk to hin
freely about anything. They did no
claim any influence; did not mention
any Congressman or governmen
officials. There was nothing i'm
proper in their offer, and he preferred
not to make their names public.
ALI the witnesses swore that III
newspaper men had ever approached
them directly or indirectly for EN-
ployment or compensation. That M
members of Congress hat
ever intimated desire fo
compensation. The distiller
had not made any combination witt
the interests, either political O
otherwise, with the view of passin.
their bill. All three of the wiJnesse
also swore that they had not hear,
of any contributions for the purpos
of aiding any Legislation and had no
known of a dollar being SO expende
except $35 for printing of brief t
submit to the finance committee an
$50 for copies of some speeches fo
circulation among the trade.
Messrs. Atherton, Stagg an
Wharton swore that they had all {
them paid their personal expense
here.