The Evening critic., 1882-12-02
Tho stnr.nontc MuddIc.

The American Register.
Mr.. John A. walsh, who has grievance, nd
dresscs n very lengthy closed letter to tho AZ
tOrncy- General Of tho United states, whcrcln
he details tho causes OF his disturbance, "
which eplsilo the latter docs not soom Inclined
10 reply IIo then takes occasion TO lay tho
same before tho public through tho columns
OF the New York Herdid, by means whereof the
situation as tho Attorney General. Tho bur
den that weighs upon tho soul OF Mr.. Walsh
appears TO be that tho Grand Jury OF INC
United States for the District OF Columbia did
not In July last accord such measure OF
credit to his testimony, delivered In It's pros
once against the Star-Routo conspirators, rs,
in his opinion, he deserved. He attributes
this imprognability on tho part OF tho Nom.
hers OF tho inquest to two causes: First, that
n certain Legislative document, the contents OF
which wero not calculated to contribute to his
reputation for veracity, had been surropti-
tiously exposed 10 their inspection; and sec
ond, 10 the fact that special prosecuting onl-
Ger OF the Government In the Grand Jury
room expressed the opinion that 1t was "a
serious matter to indiot Senator OF the
United States"
something; but what can the Attorney Con.
ernl, not being legal factor OF tho Criminal
Court OF tho District OF Columbia, nor In any
manner offcially connected with It's operations
do In the promises? MIR. Walsh should have
addressed his complaint TO the District Auor-
ney. Mr. Bliss, who appears to be tho
especial" who thought II n serious mntter to
indict senator, was, II anything, only
deputy OF Mr.. Counsellor brewster, who was
himself, II anything, only deputy OF George
B. Corkhill, tho District Attorney; and, as y IS
not in the power Of an agent TO delegate his
authority TO another, II docs not appear that
MIR. Bliss had any legal warrant for appearing
before tho Grand Jury, and might bo held to
answer for his Intrusion. Tho Attorney.Gon.
eral, however, who seems to have been eX-
cited 10 activity by tho Herald publication,
now proposes TO institute an inquiry into tho
mode In which tho document In question
found Its way Into the hands OF tho Grand
Jury, but there is no intlmation that he de.
signs TO call on Mr.. Bliss for an explanation OF
The most literally indorsed specimen of
natural history described In Daniel or the
Revelations was not richer In heads and horns
than the Star.Route matter has become In ap.
pcndices under tho manipulation OF the At
torney- General and his associates. Under tho
Indictment there were only somo half dozen
persons held TO answer; now almost every
body who had anything 10 do with the pro-
ceedings Is on trial or In peril OF arraignment,
either before somo stated Judiciary or at tho
bar OF public oplnion--not excepting even tho
highest law officers OF the Government. Tho
Attorney.General Of the United States, who,
the ideas OF the people, is an onicer appointed
TO advise the Executive upon points OF law
and constitution, and to attend, In behalf OF
the State, in litigation before the tribunal OF
rlghtfulIy belongs to another and tho
leader Of a band OF attorneys enlisted by him
self in prosecution before an inferior court,
but In the2 moro kreprehonsiblo light Of
employer OF horde of spies, detectives
eavcsdroppers and secret agent5-persons
commissioned TO shadow defendants, catalogue
their associates, worm themselves into tho
confidence OF witnesses to entrap them, and
tamper with the consciences of Iurymen.
Justice is debauched whom such implements
are brought in contact with Its processes; when
practices such rs their Introduction Implies
are encouraged or allowed. Tho hands OF pub.
lie Justice should forever be clean; its scales
always hang even. No state OF circumstances,
no degree OF guilt will excuse a resort to un-
derhand ways to obtain convictions. Such ex-
pedients are not only wrong In themselves and
apt to defeat the purposes for which they arc
employed, but-as they have done in the pros
ent instance-they lead to complications and
exposures, to falsehoods and perjuries, by
which principals and agents are alike OK
posed to disrepute and suspicion.
Tho history OF the Star-Route prosecution as
1t stands is not croditable to those by whom 1t
has been created. There is no escaping the
conviction that by his own showing and in the
light OF circumstances, which are patent to
the public, tho high and Responsible of1ice Of
Attorney General OF the United States has
been indignined In the hands OF Its presen,
incumbent. When that oncer stepped down
and out OF his proper sphere he also stopped
down and out OF his title to respect, and the
long array OF scandals, misdemeanors, abuses,
exposures, sham prosecutions, and threats oil
more OF q similar description are but the nat
tural sequences OF tho illegitimacios which,
under the auspices OF the AttorneyGeneral
have been brought in to soil the fountain and
perplex the current OF public Justice.