Morning journal and courier., 1882-06-03
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
The Star ROuts Trtals-An Opening Ar
gument by Colonel BIiss-What tho
Government Expect to Prove - Other
Events of Interest at the Capital.
WASHINGTON, June 2.-In the criminal
court this morning Mr.. Bliss began his open
ing address to the jury in the Star route
cases. He said it was his duty to explain to
the jury the reasons why the government
asked conviction of the defendants.
Through their action more than 5000, 900 had
been fraudulently taken from the federal
treasury without an adequate return. The
case was particularly conspicuous from the
prominence ofsome of the parties indicted no.
tably an exassistant Postmaster General and
an ex-United States Senator. The whole pro-
ceedlngs were characterized by so many and
variegated phases of fraud that perh4ps it
would be tedious and difficult task to ex-
plain them thoroughly and comprehensively
MIR. Bliss then proceeded to read the statutes,
defining the duties of the Postmaster Gen
eral, and said that acting under that authori-
ty the Postmaster General had divided the
duties and responsibilities of the Office by
set of regulations. He then read the post
Office regulations which delegate to the Sec
ond assistant Postmaster General the super
vision of the Star route service and the award
of contracts. From the 23d of July, 1876,
until about March or April in 1881 Mr. Brady
had held this Office. During this time large
sums of money had been illegally taken from
the treasury ostensibly for the Star route
service and the government expected to
prove that Brady together with other par
ties had entered into combination for
the purpose of securing and had secured
large part of the money. The statute which
says that the Star route service may be in
creased in the discretion of the Postmaster
General with due reference to the produc-
tiveness and wants of the country was partic-
ularly called to the attention of the jury, and
they were aEked to bear in mind the exact
language Of the statute. He also read the
statutes providing for advertising the letting
of these contracts, laying stress upon those
which provide for the fullest and most open
advertisement and which limit the existence
of temporary service to one year. He said
these provisions had been expounded by the
Supreme Court in a case decided in 1873,
Garfield against the United States" The
second assistant Postmaster General must
have knowledge of the conditions and wants
of the country. He has the experience of
the past lettings and can call upon the post
masters along the routes and the postofice
inspectors, and he did not believe there was
more efficient body of public officers than
the postal inspectors. OF course the assist
ant Postmaster General may be mistaken,
may be misinformed but there could be
no great change in the condition and wants
of a section of country within short time
after the advertisement of the service re-
qulred. Celebrity, certainty and security, said
MIR. Bliss, had given the name to the Star
route service. These were the requirements
in this service and they were designated in
the departments by three stars, one for each
word, hence the name 'tStar" service.
There was nothing in the statute to author
ize the increase of compensation because of
expedition or increased trips, unless it was
clear that such increase required more
carriers and animals than the original sched-
ule. The government claim, said Mr.. Bliss
that Mr.. Brady habitually resorted to these
statutes to increase and expedite service
where it was not required, going to the ex-
IRENE amount of compensation allowed by
the statute and allowing an extraordinary
compensation for it, 1t was indeed an ex
traordinary case which required the increase
of the compensation and service to three
times that called for in the original contract.
In fact, it is doubtful if it ever occurs.
After the conclusion of Mr.. Bliss argument
the cases were adjourned to Monday.
At to-day Is. session of the Diocesan conven.
ton strong protest was made by numerous
delegates against Ritualism. The discussion
resulted in postponement of the report on
the ratification of the book of prayer till the
next convention.
1t is reported to- night certain that ex-
Senator Harlan, of Iowa, will be a member of
the tariff commission.
-
sumed this morning before the Window in
vestigating committee. Witness was asked
if he had given any further thought to the
question which he declined yesterday to
answer, and replied that he had and must
still decline to answer. He had some feeling
on the subject and did not care to drag any
innocent man before the committee, simply
| to give him an opportunity to prove his in
nocence. But two parties approached him
and they were both lawyers. One offered
his services as an attorney and the other
asked if we were going to employ anyone.
Neither of them mentioned the names of any
Senator or member of Congress or claimed
that he could influence them. Mr.. Stage of
st. Louis, and Colonel Wharton of LOUSY lille,
| both testified that they had been approached
| by two attorneys, who sought to be retained
to present the claims of the distillers before
Congress, but declined to give the names
| Mr.. Robinson, of New York, today called
on the Postmaster General and urged an ex-
tension of the letter delivery service, so that
letters may be delivered in large cities once
on each Sunday:
| Lieut.. j. W. Danenhower, accompanied by
his father and Long Sing the Chinese stew
ard, paid an official visit to the Navy depart
ment this morning, reporting his return
| home and presenting detailed account of his
expenditures for audit. He also brought the
log book of the Jeanette, Capt. De Longs
broken rife, another gun belonging to his
party Supposed to belong to Collins and
certain other articles found in caches by
Engineer Melville in his search for De Long
These articles, together with several geologi-
| cal specimens were turned over to Commo-
dore Walker, chief of the bureau of naviga-
ton, for the use of the department. Lieut..
Danenhower had quite a conference
with Secretary Chandler, and afterwards
| held an informal reception for the benefit of
his many friends anxious to congratulate him
on his safe return. Secretary Chandler re-
ceived him cordially and told him to take a
| good long rest, adding that when he had re-
covered from the fatigue of his long Journey
he would like him to make detailed report
of all that had occurred in his travels from
the time he separated from Engineer Melville
till his arrival atsWashington. Lieut.. Dan
enhower says he proposes to remain at his
home at Washington for three or four weeks
to obtain needful rest, but has not decided on
! his future movements.
This morning Charles II. Reed, counsel for
Guiteau, presented petition to the District
Supreme Court, in general term, asking for a