The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-04-27
WASHINGTON.
THE Star Route Gases.


| WASHINGTON, April 26.-The Rerdell stai
route case came up to-day. Ex-postmastel
| James, ex-Attorney MacVeagh and several
post office sofficials were present as witnesses
] for the prosecution. Mr.. Ingersoll desired the
case postponed till tomorrow, as he had not
when he demanded the entire warrant to be
read by the clerk. After portion had been
read, Mr.. 1ngersoll renewed his motion for
adjournment, as it would take several hours in
reading, but the clerk was instructed to pro-
ceed.
When the reading of the Indictment was
finished MacVeagh was sworn. He testified to
conversation with Kerdell who was Dor
sey's confidential manager, gin which Rerdell
said he had kept certain books and accounts
and made entries therein at Dorsey's request.
They would show particulars of the expedition
OF routes and other information. They would
also show what monies Brady and Turner had
received. When the congressional investi-
CATION was in progress great fear was
felt by Dorsey at the probable result and he
(Rerdell pleaded sickness as means of delay
and meanwhile had prepared false set of
books to be shown the court. Brady and others
interested in the Dorsey combination knew all
these details and they knew he possessed this
information. Rerdell said the original books
were in existence in New York and he could
and would get them as measure of sef-pro-
lection. They would fully corroborate his
statements. He also produced papers in ex-
Senator Dorsey's Handwriting and had said
they would fully connect Dorsey with tho
schemes. 1t was regarded as necessary by
Brady to obtain a petition and affidavits as
plausible excuse for expedition. Rerdell
said man had been hired to get up these
forged papers, notably in sKansas and he (Rer-
delD told him one half of the fines remitted
went to the contractor and the other half to
Brady and other officials connected with him.
He had also said there were routes whereupon
lawful service was not performed and others
upon which absolutely no services were
rendered. He did not remember the instance.
Mr. MacVeaugh said no inducements were
offered Rerdell to give this information so far
as he knew. He had no doubt Rerdell would
have been protected from the prosecution of
other parties, but there had never bean any ar
rangement made SO far as he knew
Ex-Postmaster General James next testi0ed
he dnew Rer6ell and had an interview with
him about mail contract matter. Mr. Clayton
had come to the Arlington Hotel with Rerdell
and had introduced him to witness. Rerdell
had presented books and transcripts containing
accounts of transactions of Dorsey and others.
One Of the papers contained among other
names that of VIM. Smith, which Rerdell said
was the name under which Brady was known
in combination. Rerdell said, in the division
of profits for expeditiGg and increasing the
number of trips. Brady received 33 or 40 per
cent, and the division of remitted fines he re-
ceived 80 per cent. of. Rerdell said the money
had been paid to Turner, who was known on
the books as "Jones'' The money paid the
rest of the officials was carried in bogus book
intended to be seen as profit and loss.
Dorsey did not appear under his real name in
the combination until he had left the Senate.
When asked by Chandler what an honest ex-
pedition of star routes was Mr.. James said in
asmnch as no Star Routes with a
single exception had been expedited during
his administration he .could not explain the
process in2detail.
The court then adjourned until tomorrow.
Miscellaneous.
The Senate, in executive session, confirmed
the following appointments
Alphonzo Taft of Ohio, as Minister to Aus
tria.
VIM l.. Dayton OF New Jersey, Minister to
the Netherlands.
Sargent P. Stevens of New Jersey, Consul
General at Montreal.