Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-18
THE STAR ROUTE CASES.
Mr.. W. A. COOKS LETTER OF RESIGNATION.
ATTORNEY GENERAL BREWsTERS REPLY
ACCEPTING IT.

of1oe at the usual hour and received the reply to
his letter OF the 14th Ia the mail. Mr.. Cook said
That the reply was kind and cOnSderate, but there
were points In it In which the Attorney General
differs from him. Had that officer been familiar
have been but little differencauNf opinion. There
We're no objections now to the correspondence
being published, and its publication is due to the
Department OF Justice and himself. He had moth
ing to conceal from the public, and had acted in
the whole proceedings in accordance with his
convictions OF right and duty. Here are the
letters:
MIR. Cooks Letter of Resignation.
WAsHINGToN, D. c., March IA, 1882
Hon: BENJAMIN Harris B,e,oster, attorney General
United States:
that for some time past have had under consider
alton the question Of my continuance as
special assistant attorney OF the United
States in the prosecution OF the star
route cases, and I have finally concluded to
tender my resignation OF the appointment con-
ferred upon me by commission dated June 1, 1881.
Respect for you, and justice to myself, require
that should, at least refer to OF the reasons
which have Influenced me in this determination.
Without any solicitation on my part was selected
ey te late e Ss e With :, the
in the prosecution OF the star route
cases, and to take immediate charge OF them.
and mutual underStan andingS, consented to accept
the position rendered me, and shortly after the
date of my appointment entered upon the dis
charge OF the duties connected with IL. For sue
ceSsye months devoted most OF my time to the
Investigation of the various cases and the prepara
tlOn necessary for the early prosecution by the
ordinary mode Of Indictments. At the request of
President Garfield, and until the period OF the
sassination, had frequent interviews with him,
as we'll as almost daily consultations with your i'm
mediate predecessor and was careful to take step
which had not then direct or implied sanction.
Shortly before you and Mr. Bliss In September last
were retained, the preparations which had been In
progress were so far completed that some Of the
cases were in condition to be submitted to the
yrn naf nfy CT. f.tnnn nyld
contingencies prevented this being done as prompt
ly as was desired. The result was that criminal
information against Thomas J. Brady, and others,
was filed in connection with mail routes No. 40101,
from Prescott, Arizona, TO Santa Fe. New Mexico.
l cordially united with you and MIR. Bliss In
the argument on motion. which was made
to quash the information, and endeavored, as far
as time and opportunity allowed, to acluaint you
both with the facts OF this and associated cases.
And while holding myself ready to perform any
required work, have not voluntarily evaded any
responsibilities 1t is manifest, however, that my
changed. Having been selected by the late ad-
ministratiOn, this was to have been expected.
Within the terms and intention Of my appoint
ment. temporarily represented 1t. acted in ac-
sponsibIe primarily to it. These cor cons1deratons
mediately after the death OF President Garfield
and the practical withdrawal shortly thereafter
OF Mr.; Macveagh from his Office. But was in
duced to remain from different considerations,
and among them because / had good reason to
believe that you desired me to do SO, and because
with the findings of Indictments in cases which
seemed to me to demand judicial inquiry and
determination. A number of indictments have,
however, been found, chiefly In cases selected by
Mr.. Bliss, and it is to be presumed that he
has become familiar with these tas well
others) by an Investigation of facts and papers
mostly procured, classified and prepared prior to
september last, and perhaps otherwise Whether
the strongest and most important cases have been
included In the Indictments it is not for to de-
termne. But without referring to other IactS and
reasons, the present seems to be the most appro-
pirate time for my retirement. and respectfully
submit the matter for your consideration and ac-
tiOn. need scarcely assure you that l expect to
always entertain the highest regard lor you, both
personally and professionally. I will be pleased
to hear from you at your earliest convenience.
Wishing you every possible good, am, very re-
spectiuly' your obedient servant, c
Special Assistant Attorney U. s.
Reply of the Attorney General.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
Washington, DC. March II, 1882. I
Sir:-1 have received your letter dated the 14th
OF March, 1882. 1t was surprise to me, and
could not see the necessity for it. I have consid-
cred your proposed withdrawal from the star
route cases as submitted to me in that letter. 1
have read with care the reasons which you say
rule YOU AS they are the conclusions of your
own Judgment and relate exclusively to yourself,
will not do more than accept them as they are
presented. With me they must be final. 1t is
by my predecessor as Mr.. Bliss and myself were
Had not been advanced to the position / now
hold would have ave continued continue to act tor the gov
Mr.. Bliss has acted - not complicating
my relation as counsel with the supposed policy of
any administration. did not think, and / do not
now believe, that the position OF counsel in these
cases has the remotest connection with any ques-
tion OF political administration. They are public
cases, not political cases. they are pro bono pub
licO; they were cOnf1ded to all OF us as lawyers,
not as politicians Since have had the control
Of them as the Attorney General have treated
them as pubic cases; and I have been instructed
by the President to give them my vigilant atten-
tion, and to see that they were prosecuted with
sult and these instructions have, before this as
an act OF public duty, and as an act OF personal
1 cannot permit the implication you appear to
raise by your reference to your having been re-
taned by the late administrator pass without
objection. You were not responsible to any par
ticular administration as political responsibility.
Nor were these cases. or are they, to be cOnfound-
to be connected with any administration. They are
Instituted for the purpose OF justice, and justice
principles that regulate the orderly administration
OF justice, and not with reference to the wishes or
policies OF any President, no matter what his
labored in them, your usefulness would have been
appreciated. Mr.. Bliss to whom the matter was
committed at the instance OF the Post Office depart
experienced his peculiar skill in methOdizing and
organizing and executing all that was necessary
and indictment OF the accused: and he did Secure
those results. The indictments, because OF their
fundamental nature myself caused to be pre-
pared by Mr.. Ker, OF Philadelphia, gentleman
cOnspicuously experienced as craftsman Of GRIM
inal pleadingS; he is an acknowledged eminent
expert In that branch OF the law. Those indict-
ments have been found, and they are now soon
to be tried before traverse Jury. At this
Juncture, on the eve OF these trials, you an
nOunced to me that you propose to withdraw from
these cases You say that this is the most apprO-
pirate time, and s'submit the matter to me
for my consideration and action" OF that you
must judge, both to the necessity for the with
drawal and the fitness OF the time. ALI that can
say Is, to acknowledge your request and accept it.
and to return my thanks for your civil express
sions OF personal and professional respect for me
lam, sir, truly, etc,
BENJAMIN HARRIS BREWSTER.
Col VIM. A. Cook, Washington, D. c.
WHAT Mr. BLISS HAS TO SAY ABOUT MR. COOKIE
CLAIMS TO HAVE PREVENTED THAT GENfI.EMANS
DISAISSAL FOR some TIAE-THE CIRCUMSTANCES
LEADING TO AR. COOKS WITHDRAWAL FROM THH
CASES.
Mr. George Bliss, In an interview last evening re-
garding statements made by Mr.. w. A Cook as to
the atters retirement from the prosecution OF the
star route cases, said Mr.. Cooks withdrawal was
an entire surprise to him; that there had been no
trouble between them: that Mr. Cooks statement
that he Mr. Bliss, had paid to Mr. Brady his check
$40 000 th0 Rep3fbliG1n consuics1nsfSIv