Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-15

Mr. Carpenter Continues His Argumen

Mr.. Carpenter Continues His Argument
When the star route trial was resumed this
morning Mr.. Carpenter continued his address In
behalf OF the defense. The jury, he said, had
heard good deal during the trial OF extravaganza
OF payments for expedition and increase Of ser
vice. The law fixed the rate OF pay. The con-
tract provided AMI the law fully authorized that
when additional trips are ordered the pay for
those trips Shall be pro rata. The Postmaster
General had no discretion in the matter The
law and the contract provided that in case the
route is expedited so as to require an increased
number of men and animals, the pay shall be pro
rata. When the defense undertook proof to
show that the price paid for the service on these
western routes was not extravagant, the govern
ment objected, and the court sustained the Objec
tOn SO the defense was not allowed to show what
lt cost to run the routes. He proceeded to argue
lniI the price paid for the service WAS not
traVagant, and that the speed ordered was not
unnecessary.
REVIEWING THE ROUTES.
Mr.. Carpenter then proceeded to take up the
routes included in the Indictment in order, giving
his version of their history and the facts concern
Ing them brought out in the trial. He began with
route Ss,l45, from Ojo Calente to Anmas
CITY; He gave an account Of each, Of the
t.a,iI condition IN of the country through
growth Of the population and the consequent in
creased demands on the mail service. Taking up
the Mineral Park-Pioche route. Mr.. Carpenter
INK between the Central and Southern Pacific
railroads. 1t was upon this route he said, that
Jennings held a Sub-COntract, and he failed so
often In the performance OF service that the pay
for two years was only $4,000, where it should
have been $4,000. Brady was SO much dissatisfied
with the service that, as a punishment to the con-
tractors, he reduced 1t to one trip week and
fused to allow the usual months extra pay. That
was an Illegal order, said Mr.. Carpenter; the
only illegal order shown in this case. The
law absolutely required him to allow extra
compensation when the trips were reduced in
from prominent officials and citizens requesting
increased service upon the route Speaking OF the
Mr. Carpenter said that one letter IN that country
was OF greater Importance, in business point OF
view, than so letters In the east He did not think
the matter OF the productiveneSS of the routes cut
much Of figure in the case. He referred to the
fact, as shown in the Postmaster Generals report
of last year, that the cities of Denver and Lead
Vile paid more to the Post Ofice department than
the whole state of West Virginia or Of Florida
and more than half as much as the whole OF Geor-
gia-
THE REASON WHY
the Post Office department was not self-sustain-
Ing Is because the law allowed the editor OF
newspaper to mail his newspapers to his sub
scribers for exactly one-eight Of what it charges
citizen 1or mailing the same me matter. This very
difference amounted to $50 600 600 year out of the
pockets of the POST Office department, yet the
very people who had the benefit OF the postal law
were bounding these defendants with their villifi-
cation and abuse. Mr. Carpenter did not see why
the Post Office department. with all the benefits 1T
conferred, should be required to pay its way,when
took up the route from silverton to Parrott City.
Mr.. Carpenter commented upon the petitions
and letters asking for increased mail facilities;
held that the testimony OF these petitioners, who
were men OF high standing in their communities,
was much more worthy Of consideration than
such testimony as has been introduced by the
government respecting the needs OF the route. He
marck and Tongue River route While Mr.. Car
penter was speaking about the Bismarck route he
said that the counsel for the government had
sNEERED AT REPRESENTATIVES, BINGHAM,
who had signed letter urging expedition OF this
route, because Mr.. Bingham lived in Philadelphia,
and knew nothing about mail routes in Montana
Mr. Bingham was chairman of the Post Office
committee and familiar with all the mail routes.
Mr. ker said that he had not sneered at Mr..
Bingham. who was one OF his (Mr. Kers) personal
friends, but had referred the that his letter
was the only thing on which expedition was
With all respect to Mr. Bingham" said Mr..
Merrick, II don't think a man from Philadelphia
knows much about mail routes in Montana"
"rhat'S what we thought after hearing Mr. Ker
for three days" said Mr. Carpenter.
- man from South Carolina is not qualified to
correct him. Slid Mr.. Merrck.
Mr.. Carpenter, having referred to the testimony
showing who had recommended the increase and
expedition OF the route said that if human testi-
mony could establish the prOprety of Increasing
mail routes such propriety was established in this
case. II q man was to be sent to the pentontiary
1Or doing such an act under such testimony, he
him out.
On this route the Bismarck route in the pay was
SloI,WO and the deductions amounted to $4,000.
it was prepoSterouS that man should enter
INTO such conspiracy as was charged here, and
then have the audacty to impose such fine upon
his fellow conSplratOrS. The contractors on this
route not only had no profit, but were out OF
pocket on the route.
The midday recess was taken at the usual
hour.
AFTER RECESS
MI Carpenter took UP the route from Eugene
City to Bridge Creek, then the route from White
River to Rawlings, and next the route from Red
ding to Alamas. Mr.. Carpenter reviewed the pro-
ceedlngs On these routes as he had on the others.
He observed that there was not enough honest
testimony in the case to show the guilt OF these
defendants to fill the eye OF mosquito. He re-
1erred 10 the witnesses put on by the government
as disappointed SubcOltractorS who had been in
league to Swindle the contractors. He asked how
their testimony appeared in opposition to that of
honorable gentlemen or high station, whose letters
asking for the expedition were IN evidence.
Mr.. Merrick remarked that these letters were
written by Rerdell.
Mr. Carpenter argued that it made 10 difference
who wrote the body OF a letter; the man who
signed 1t adopted it as his own.
ME- Carpenter next took UP the route from
Pueblo to ROSlta.
Senator Beck was spectator in the court this
morning.