Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-07-19
Star Route Trials.

WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE taking of tes-
timony in the star route cases was resumed to-
day. After recess Frank r. Wilcox, of Ore
gon, was called. He had been government
mail agent, was on intimate terms with 8. w.
Dorsey, and had some correspondence with
him. Over these letters the opposing counsel
had their customary wrangle, the court occa-
sionally taking hand in The discussion, and
finally foi bidding any further personalities.
The letters consisted of advice from Dorsey to
work up public opinion in favor of expediting
post routes, ETC., and were finally allowed in
evidence. L. M. Wilcox, father Of the last
witness, was being examined when the hour
for adjournment arrived.
ANOTHER DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON, July 1S-In thestar route
trial the examination of Wilcox was con-
tinued. After Identification of some papers
the witness was cross-examined by Iugersoll.
Thos. G. Putnam, lawyer of Denver, COL,
testi ned that he had commenced suit for
Frank Wilcox against s. w. Dorsey and had
in his possession three letters from Dorsey to
Wilcox. The witness surrendered the letters
after having had them copied. The copies
were identified and offered in evidence, but the
court held that the prosecution must better
|
| which they prolessed their ability to do.
After recess Putnam, the Denver lawyer,
was recalled to prove that he had had a tele-
graphic communication with reference to the
letters with Woodward & Woodward, of Port.
land, Oregon, attorneys for Wilcox. The
kilograms were produced 10 complete the
chain OF evidence, but objection was made
and another long argument followed.
Merrick deprecated what he described as the
loud OUTLAWS and OF IN merriment shown by
| the oil er side. This, he said, was no fiddling
case, as asserted by McSweeny yest srday, as If,
indeed, 1T was, then the government had
danced while the people pay half million
year forthe music made by the other side.
The dispatches were finally admitted. They
merely direct Putnam to make case of the
letters. Witness said he had given the letters
| TO lawyer named Wright and the suit against
| Dorsey had been dismissed
I. NJ. Wilcox was recalled to further iden-
tify some OF the papers. =
McSweeny attempted to examine him rela-
tive to petitions on the Oregon route. The
court stopped the inquiry and informed Nc
Sweeny that he STOOD uhimpeached as to the
validity OF the petitions.
WALSH CALLED.
The announcement of the name of Walsh
called as witness created ripple If excite
ment in the court, but that gentleman was not
in the room and pending his arrival Cyrus
Marks gave testimony alive to the G. re.
horn Pueblo route.
Walsh then took the stand for The purpose
OF giving general evidence. Wilson stated
10 the court that he had some time ago made
application to Bliss for the papers upon route
No. 1000, regarding them as necessary to the
examination OF the present witness. He
wanted the papers before the examination be-
gan.
Bliss said he had had the papers in court
every day for week. They were produced
ana handed TO Wilson. This route is not set
in the indictment.
The examination of Walsh was then begun.
New York, but in ISIS was '''a'I banker or
in Washington. He had discounted postal
drafts. Witness knew Brady. He became in
terested in route No. 4,0l0, from Santa Fe, N.
NJ, TO Prescott, Arizona. He was asked how
ne became interested but objection was made.
Bliss said he expected TO SHOW that witness,
while having no connection with the'rouies in
the indictment, had had conversation with
Brady relative to them. The question was al
lowed and witness said he first took tempo
rary contract to perform the service and after
Contractor McDonough retired he assumed
the contract. He had known Brady stree 1879
He was asked If he had had conversation
With Brady near the end of December. 1880.
de said he had on one December 2S. 1880 He
had also had other conversations with him.
Tins particular interview was at the house of
George Sheridan, on street. There had
been written appointment, said the witness,
and ne produced note max ing the appoint
ment
Holding up the paper Mr.. Wilson asked the
witness: 'Did you write that?'' TReferring
to portion purporting to be in Brady's hand,
writing ]
Witness positively NO, sir.
The note was then read Walsh writes re-
| questlDg Brady to meet him at the Sheridan
house at O'Clock, and Brady's reply, written
on the beck, names 1890 as che hour for the
interview.
| The Interview, said witness, lasted three
| quarters OF an hour. He was asked to give
the substance of the conversation, but This
was objected to and the court called upon the
| prosecution TO make statement of what they
expected to prove.
Bliss then proceeded, reading from manu-
script, 10 give this witness statement 1t is
substantially the same as in the publications
which have already appeared of the interview
| Witness said Brady told him that for all
expedition he ordered he invariably received
20 per cent. of the increase from the favored
contractors, and said any man who refused to
| pay this was fool.
lngersoll made an argument against the re-
| ception of any such testimony, one of his
| points being that there had been no conspiracy
yet made out. No man would be idiotic
enough, said he, to imagine that the second
postmaster general would even make the ad-
/ mission that it was his custom TO receive 20
yer cent. of the amounts of expedition. IF
| this was produced as a confession from Brady.
| then the point had already been passe mon
by the court They could not produce The
concession OF conspirator before estimating
| the conspiracy.
Bliss Interrupted him and read another
| ma or nh into
informs Walsh that the petitions were ONLY
required by him with the object OF justifyipg
his orders for the increase
1ngersoll then continued his argument at
| some length.
Merrick replied that in his opinion the time
| nao drawn near when the court would be
called to PASS upon the suf1iciency of the evil.
cence already introduced to sustain the charge
Of conspiracy. He made some suggestions
| relative to the regulation of the long argu
ment which he foresaw would now follow, re.
guessing the court TO so arrange this matter
that The prosecution should have the privilege
OF replying to the arguments after the other
side had concluded.
| The court inquired of Merrick If he was to
understand that the government had already
! presented all the evidence they had in
this case Merrick replied with the
exception of the Wilcox letters he believed
they had substantially closed their case. They
1 noo uOs ehiousHliessiy urOu2nt on this argu-
ment, but Only after mature reflection.
The court pointed out the desirability of pre-
senting all their evidence before bringing
| about this argument; otherwise the court
might be called upon to pass upon the weight
OF the evidence. 1t might lead to vexatiOus
reopening OF the case by the attempt to intro
duce further evidence
Merrick replied that he was prepared to say
that they had substantially closed their case.
| There was other and important evidence,
but it was doubtful whether il wonld
arrive here in time. There was
an attachment from this court now out for a
person west OF the Mississippi rivera per.
SON who would give evidence OF what he act
| uallY saw, not what he heard Hnxeuer as