National Republican., 1882-08-02
THE sTAR-RouTE TRIAL.
Senator Mnxey, Ex-POstmaster-Gcner

senator Mnxey, Ex-POsfmnster-Gcnern
Key, amt Gen. sherman on the Stand.
Senator Maxey, Of Texas, was the first witness
examined In the star-route trial yesterday. From
1879 to 1881 he was chairman of the Senate Com
mttee on Post Offices and Post. Roads. Mr.. Mer.
rick objected TO Mr.. 1ngersoll asking tho witness
II he had ever tried to have any route expedited
or Increased, as there were Texas routes in the
Indictment. Mir. Ingersol said he proposed to
show that the witness had conversed with the
Postmaster. General as to what would be the
policy OF his administration. He wanted to show
that 1t was upon route in Tex"s that tho policy
Of the department turned. II was tho route from
Fort Worth to Yuma, and was tho first route that
was expedited 1t was 1900 mile. long. aud now
II has been supplaned by railroads. He wanted
to show that Senator Maxey urged a
Foley OF LInERAITY TO THE PIONEERS.
Mr.. Bliss said the routo referred to was not expe-
dted In 1872 and was not the first ono expedited.
member OF Congress thought unless that opinion
was formulated into law. The charge here was
fraud, aud tho recommendations of Senators or
Representatives, OF. the policy Of diatinguished
public men had no bearing upon 1t. Judge Wylia
SAID tho court was not sitting to try any question
of policy. u was engaged In trying crime ayan't
the United States. lie gave lucid elucidation of
tho rights of the Second Assistant Postmaster Gem
eral and concluded by saying that the prosecution
II the corruption was shown tho policy urged by
Senators and Representatives would not mitigate
1t In the least. Senator Maxey then withdrew,
and
EN-PosTMAsTER. GENERAL KEY TOOK THE STAND
He was Postmaster General from March, 1877, to
August, 1880. General Brady was second Assis-
tant Postmaster General during his entire term of
office. lie discussed good many routes with Mr.
Brady, but did not remember any special conver-
sation about routes mentioned In the indictment.
MIR. Mcrrick objected to this line of ex, minatiOn.
Mr.. 1ngersol said he proposed to show what the
witnesss idea on the Western mHil service were.
Judge Wylie said he would admit the testimony if
II were confined to specific routes mentioned in
the Indictment. Mr.. Ingcrsoll asked the witness
II he decided the question Of expedition for Mr.
Brady. This provoked another long argument, in
the course of hich Mr.. Ing1rsol offered 10 prove
that the witne. had had conversations with Mr.
Brady on the subject of increasing the mail service
Judge Wylie said that evidence showing that all
the orders were signed by the Postmaster Gen eral
was admi siblc. Tie questions relnting to the
visits Of CungrVsSmeu OH the subject Cf XpcliiOn
were ruled out.
| GENERAL W. 7. SHERMAN WAS CALLED
| and sworn, and identified petition for increase
of service on route 3S,ll3, which ho indorsed In
| March, 1881. lie recommended the increase as
| tending to preserve peace i'll that country aud
| prevent attacks by the hostile Indians. lL 1873
| lie recommended a tri- weekly mail from Bismarck
was line OF deouss rs well as commun cltion.
| On tho Tres Aamos route, III 1878 and 1879, the
| ApaGhes were very bad They have always
| been hostile, and probably Will continue to
be so UNI they are Ali gone. On this route the
picket posts served as sub. stations. The general
excused. John L. French was then recalled He
described how proposals were received at the Office
and kept, 81 that their contents could not be made
| known. ON December 2S 1882, he was acting sec.
| ond Assistant Postmaster General, and occupied
| Mr.. Drady's desk. Several questions were then
| were ruled out or osjec,ed to, and without con-
Cluuilg the examination the court adjourned,