The daily gazette., 1882-09-12
A FARC v. .s'sss; 4 az e. A. 4; JUSTICE.
ever 4 ID ess .a - ~
THE stRss SING STAR RopTE
ERDICT.
PUBLIC OPINION ON THE REs suit.
4 2 & IfE p ~ AstH
How Brady and the Dorseys Got Of
The Charges and Counter Charges sof Il
Bribery
u J. - - :. I l =

afternoon gave the result OF the Star Route
| verdict, by which John W. Peck and William
| II. Turner were acquitted, John r. Miner
| and Monfort G. Rerdell were convicted and
disagreement reported as to John W.
Dorsey, s. W. Dorsey, Harvey NJ Vaile and
Thomas j. Brady. '''H @'
The court, after the clerk had PCT the
usual questions, discharged the jury and
was about to adjourn when he was inter
rupted by counsel for Rerdell and Miner
with a motion in arrest of Judgment and
| notice for new trial. This was settled by
postponement of argument till next
Wednesday. Mr.. Merrick then proposed
that such ofthe defendants as had net been
acquitted or convicted be required to fur
nish new and increased bonds. lively
scene ensued, counsel for the defense rising
one after another to protest against such
action, on the ground that the present
recognizances were amply sufficient and
perfectly valid. e-e
Considerable argument followed on both
sides, Mr.. Ingersoll claiming that tho gov
eminent counsel had made the suggestion
of increased bail simply to annoy the de-
Tense. Mr.. Merrick denied this, and said
that he respected his opinions as much as
those of Mr.. Ingersoll. !" don't want your
respect" tartly replied the Colonel. "I
don't want yours" returned Mr. Merrick,
turning quickly and facing Mr.. IngNrsoll.
Judge Wylie interposed at this point, re-
marking Peace, peace, gentlemen. /"
Continuing, the Judge said that he Thought
the present recognizances valid, and would
hear argument Wednesday regarding
their increase. Although discharged from
further duty the jury remained in
their chairs interested spectators of
these proceedings, and when 1t appeared
that the Judge was about to vacaie the
bench Foreman Dickson in short address
returned the thanks of himself and asso-
ciates for the uniform courtesy and kindness
that had been shown by the court and at
taches during the trial. Judge Wylie, In
reply, said " / had hoped to decide this
case. We have not reached q conclusion
that consider settlement of this cAse at
all. You have not seen the law as the court
has, but you have exercised your power to
decide on the facts. 1t is not for the court
to express any dissatisfaction about differ
ences between the jury and the court. The
verdict that you have rendered is not such
as / would have been glad to see, but 1t Is
your verdict, your work, and the Court Ia
not responsible for it"
The concluding portion of his remarks
were delivered in an emphatic manner and
plainly evinced the displeasure of the Court
at what Mr.. Ingersoll afterwards termed
''Such an idiotic verdict" Not satisfied
Foreman Dickson again addressed the Court
in relation 10 the charge of bribery that has
arisen in this case. He inquired If it would
be proper at this time to present 10 the
Court additional information in his POSSES
sion as to the approaches that had been
made to the jury. Judge Wylie replied that
this was not the time nor the occasion for
anything of the sort. The matter would be
investigated by the law officers OF the
Government at the proper time. H. had
been told that certain scoundrela had
attempted this abominable and censurable
crime, and when an examination took
place, il the charge was proven, he would
punish the scoundrel, providing jury
could be found to convict him. Mr.. Inger-
soil precipitated another conflict by saying
that he would like to learn from the Jury
by whom the approaches had been made.
Mr.. Merrick replied that the Government
would make the investigation. "Not alone,
sir, said Mr. Wilson, one of Brady's coun-
sci 1--WE will help the government Id this
matter.o Mr. Merrick turned to the speaker
and sharply retorted, as he shook his finger
"Pardon me, the Government will make this
investigation" Again the Court gave the
retiring jurymen thrust by saying Here
are both sides threatening to expose crime
We will certainly secure a conviction next
time" The Court then directed the Mar
shal to take Miner and Rerdell into custody.
To say that the spectators were astoIAished
at the verdict gives faint idea OF the senti-
ment that prevailed. Knots of excited in
dividuals were grouped about the City Hall,
expressing but one opinion-condemIato
of the verdict. In one of these Mr.. 1nger-
soil was conspicuous, gesticulating ard EN-
phasizing the statement that 1t was sheer
idiocy to convict Miner and Rerdell oil con-
spiracy and exculpate Brady. This seemed
to meet with general approval, and Dick
son, the foreman, and his companion, Brown,
came in for vigorous abuse for their action.
II had been contended during the entire
trial that 'tBilly Dickson was a square
man." and one of the Government counsel,
Mr.. Merrick, vouched for him as being per
fectly trustworthy and honest in his ebnVic-
tions. AS the jurors came out of the Court
House they were surrounded by anxious in
quirers who desired 10 learn what had tranB-
pired during the deliberations, but the
jurors hurried off as if desirous to avoid any
further notorety.
Several of them were interrogated as to
Foreman Dickson's sudden change from
what was expected of him, and their story
was to the effect that as soon as the case
was given to them, and after they had re-
tired to their rooms, Mr.. Dickson read a
prepared statement that he had been cor
ruptly approached by an agent of the Gov
ernTnent who had offered him $25, ,OO0 to
convict the defendants. He took an oath
on Bible that what he said was true Both
Brown and Dickson held out stubbornly in
favor of Brady and ex-senator Dorsey, as
the records kept by the jurors attested.