New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-14
TIE STAR ROUTE TRIALS.

WASHINGTON, June 13. - In the Criminal
Court the morning Mr.. Mcrrck opened the Star Route
proceedings with explanation OF the course ne IN
tended to pursue in The presentation providence He said
he proposed take up the routes seriatlm completely
disposing of one before taking up another Mr Mer
rck offered in evidence various certificates and other
papers from the Office Of the Auditor OF the Post Office
Department.
Senator Saunders OF Nebraska then called to the
stand and sworn. lie testified that he indorsed the
petition for increase the route from Kearney TO Kent
Did not recoect how the petition came to him originally
prepared 10 at this late day that the IN
erneaton thirteen hours schedue) had been inserted
after his Endorsement but appeared to be in different
ink from that in the body OF the petition He had only
general recollection of the other letters referring to this
route.
Cross-examned by defence-Kearney was an impor-
tant railroad centre in Nebraska. He had never
been up the Loup Valley as far as Kent, but
believed It to be n good country. lie received
many such petitions that section. He knew the
firm OF Hale Nightingale, and believed them to be
putabe gentlemen. When he indorsed their petition he
thought tEoy would not have asked for the service if 1t
been necessary and ne had not since changed his
mind. His object had been to get tho number OF trips In
creased paying little attention 10 the time in which
was to be performed. II his understanding, how
ever that the time was reduced as the number OF trips
was increased He had recollection OF the circun-
tances connected with the presentation OF this petition
Charles H. French, Of Kearney, Neb mail sub-oon-
tractor on the from Kearney TO Kent testified that
in June 1873 he made the subcOnract for service on
that route with John NJ. Peck through j. W. Dorsey rs
attorney for Peck He fled the subcontrn't in the De-
partment last February John W. Dorsey signed all of
the names his own among others by his consent. Mr..
Merr1ck then read the subcOnract which provided that
French should receive for Touudtrlp per week 500;
for two trips 81 300 and for six trips, $500 per an
num- II stipulated that he should receive - per
cont Of the compensation allowed for expedition
When he signed the contract Dorsey told him IL
unnecessary for him TO file 1t and promised 10
nav him either personally or through Peek.
fince August !, 1879, he had received
5S7 40 per annum for the service generally through
Miner as DOrsey's agent. He made the trip from
Kearnpv 10 oup City in twelve hours ~ 1873, and had
not changed the time since had he been ordered TO
ncnsaton for expedition. The route from Kearney to
kent rcnuircd Ave horses and two men. From Loup
ty 10 Kear,cy he employed three horses and man.
In August SO. the increased trips caused him to in
creaae he stock horses and three only
en- horses would have been required II CedarVic had
NOT beeu added route. No additional stock
rcGured on account Of expedition. lie identified The
eton for increase and said he had helped 10 circulate
H. The words thirteen hours were not in the peti-
ton when he circulated 1t when he 1t to Night
ingale Neither Dorsey nor Peek had ever asked O nun
the number Of horses and men required on the route
Pecks affidavit relative TO this necessity was handed
the witness and he said he had never seen II.
This witness subjected TO severe cross e1aInna-
tion lasting about three hours As rule the evidence
given BY him IN his direct examination was sustained