Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-16
Rumors and speenIations.

The action OF Judge Wylie in granting
new trial TO the convicted Star-routers is al
most universally approved, as it is believed
that the chances for securing a conviction
will be better, if all are tried over again.
Many rumors and much talk are flying
around about the new trial and the impend-
ing investigation. George Bliss, with his
$4,000 in fees, is not generally credited
with go much enthusiasm as the other at
10 news sre with one-tenih that sum, and it
is remembered now that in his argument 10
the jury be had nothing to say as 10 Dorsey,
and that the so-called compromise with the
Salisbury contractors the men who, If
there were anything stolen from the govern
ment, probably received more than any one
else-was practically made without the
knowledge or approval OF the other govern
ment counsel. Mr. Bliss is credited how
ever, with stating that he is anxious that the
trial shall proceed, but it is evident the gov
eminent counsel cannot be entirely unit in
the trial.
Merrick is very enthusiastic. He betrays
even more zeal, if possible, than be has
throughout this remarkable trial. He says
he proposes 10 stay here now until the end,
and expresses the belief that some OF the de-
fendanls-and possibly some OF the jury Just
dismissed-may see the penitentiary. He
intends 10 remain in the case if the govern
ment is in earnest, and in this there can be
no doubt-at least so far IS the Department
of Justice is concerned. The President is
rarely heard from as 10 the Star-route cases,
but Judge Wylie is determined that, 80 far
az it lies within the power of judge, the
real offenders shall be punished. His posi-
ton as to the Star-route defendants is we'll
known, and as to the charges of bribery he
has already stated that If the persons max
ing the offers shall be convicted the Court
will not fail to do its duty.
Itcannol be ascertainediby careful inquiry
that the government has any positive evil
dence of the charge of bribery. Merrick
SAYS that he ad six men on the rail OF the Of
tenders, and that he hoped, within few days
to be able to swear out some warrants. Two
or three names have already been mentioned
of the persons who made the approaches
but the evidence against them is lar from
conclusive. 1t will require more testimony
than the government now has 10 convict any
body. The defense, on the contrary, claim
to have indisputable evidence as to at least
two approaches, as they call II, on the part
of persons representing the government
Every one, of course, believes that this is a
put-up lob in the interests OF the defense
Nevertheless, the defendants know what
legal evidence is, and if the job is part of
their plan they undoubtedly have what may
pass. prima faeie for legal evidence TO prove
their absurd story, whether the evidence is
true or manufactured. They claim that they
can make out perfect case. 1t is not
matter that the government can afford 10
boot at. 1t is very probable, indeed, that
unworthy employees OF the government have
used their position as the means of playing
into the hands of the defendants.
Dickson, foreman of the jury, is no fool.
His friends claim for him that he Ia the
smartest man in the District. He knows
what legal evidence IL, and when he says
he has such evidence that he was approached
BY an officer of the Department of Justice
and offered a bride OF $4,000 to convict
Brady and Dorsey, absurd as the story is
and Foreman Dickson himself says he did
not believe the mamie undoubtedly
mas some sort Of evidence which will make
the statement more plausible. The evidence
as to interviews held with SPecial-Agent
Bowen is said TO be complete. La addition,
Dickson has a note in Bowen's handwriting
relating 10 the interview. Bowen Is sou OF
Fl. C. Bowen, of the Independent, and is a
person we'll known in many circles. lie is,
in fact, a special agent OF the Department OF
Justice Bowen has not been long IN the
service of the Department of Justice. He
was appointed a special agent to investigate
a specific case in Arizona not relating
to postal matiers, and, of course,wss not con-
suited by the Department oil Justice as 10
the Star-route prosecutions. II Is unnecessa-
nv TO state that he was never employed by
the attorney-genera to bride yoody, ana
Dickson himself said he did not think BoWen
had SIS, much less $4,000, The De-
partment of Justice, it is Understood, has
ordered back from the west opecia!-Agent
Pen and TIdbaIl who employed him, an
other special agent, and Brewster Cameron,
a relative of the attorney general who is also
empIoyed in the Department OF Justice, whom
Dickson claims is acquainted with this mat
ter.
Mr.. Ker says it will be two weeks before
these gentlemen will reach here, and doubt
less the thorough investigation OF the case
will be postponed until that time.
Another person, named Falls, was engaged
a short time by the Department OF Justice
in connection with the Star-route matters IN
preparing the evidence. 1t il claimed that
he approached jurymsn and reported to
somebody that certain juror could be
aixed.p information Of this fact having
come TO the knowledge OF the government
AUTHORITIES, Falls was immediately dis
charged. In both OF these cases the govern