Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-12
The Star Route Cases.

PROCEEDINGS THE POLICE COURT TO-DAY.
To-day. at 12 20 o'clo *, the he ring OF s. c. Ca.
bell, John n Minnix, and c. II. Dickson, charged
with conspiracy I'm presenting worthless bonds IN
mail route No. 9a.9I0; was resumed-Hon. George
Bliss and w. A. Cook for the prosecution and
Messrs Jeremiah Wilson. l.. G. Hine A. h Browne,
ana j. N. Oliver for the defendants. Mr c. s.
Moore appears for Mr.. Barrlnger, who is charged
1n other cases.
THE POINT TO BE DECIDED.
Mr. Bliss said that since yesterday there had
been some Informal consultation az TO saving time
There Is involved I'm all the single legal
question. whether this actconsttutes a conspiracy
under the statute. and he suggC sted that ali the
otneT cases go over until this point is decided.
EARLY HEARINGS DESIRED.
Mr. Wilson coincided with Mr.. Bliss as to this
question. He, however, claimed that this case was
utterly barren OF any conspiracy. He had another
client here who was not involved I'm this case who
DESIRED the earliest opportunity TO yindcate him
SELF, and he would ask that the case referred 10
lMr sweets) De taken up Immediately after this
case.
Mr. Bliss remarked that that would be satisfac-
tory, ana In reply TO Mr.. Wilson as TO what time
@ aeiehaants $ witnesses should be called, remarked
mat the government expected 70 conclude to-day
WIN the exception OF the witnesses from Ken.
tucky.
morning that note had been written TO the Sae-
retary OF the Interior, calling attention 10 Mr.
Dohohue being concerned i'm these cases [The
name OF Mr.. Dickson was also mentioned In this
note.-Rep.l In view OF this fact he would ash An
early hearing for Mr.. DoDohue
MI Bliss said that he had, after consultation
with officers or the government high In authority
written such letter, but there was In IL request
tna .na. Une paIues oe not subjected TO any harsh
IreIumehI pending the hearing.
ME pelham, said for Mr. Boone, that he was
ready TO show there Was no charge against him:
lost dollar. ~ -S'
WAS THERE A CONSPIRACY TO DEPRAup,
Ihe court said the sole question was whether
inert was conspiracy TO defraud. When he first
looked al the statutes he had some doubts as TO
whether the charge could be sustained Under
subsequent statutes he saw that even II the gov
ernInent suffered no loss. yet there may be con-
spiracy. They may show an unlawful combine
Mr. Wilson read from The SrAR's report OF Mr..
Bliss opening yesterday, that Minnix did not
have a paper title, and Mr.. Bliss remarked
tnat ne Did as TO some cases at least
AN INCOMPLETE PAPER
Mr.. c. r. Webster was called by Mr.. Bliss, and
testified that he notary public, ana lden-
titled his signatures TO paper signed by Caeeil,
MI MI Hine re OBJECTED OBJECTED that the paper did not have
Mr' Riiss said il an incomplete paper was
passed on the department. II tended 70 prove the
Other papers were presented-one as 10 route
14a37 and witne Identified HIS signature thereto
both as notary and as witness. Witness said the
seal was affixed by his authority at the house OF
Capt Cabell Mr. Bliss proposed 20 show witness
the papers In route lslSo but objection was made.
house besides the parties named.
Mr. Hine objected and remarked that lt was an
outrage for the counsel TO attempt to prove their
case this way.
Mr.. Bliss said he was not In the habit OF prac-
tlcing and being charged with subterfuge, &C. He
He had asked the witness what other parties were
present other than those represented as Minnix
and Dickson.
Witness answered that two others were present
CoNTRAcT CLERK ON THE STAND.
George J. Brewer, residing at 9l9 9th street. ana
clerk In the contract Office, testified that he wasin
that Office In 1879 The bids were received tp en-.
velopes sealedl and he described the course taken
with them. Witness identified the bill as properly
In The hand writing OF Mr.. Richards
the endorsements would not be admitted as eyt-
o~so
Mr.. B!iss s.et the technical objections
being made woul1 make 1t neccSssry to ffo iaoe
the party who made the enforcement
Ihe case Was siill In progress when our report
closed