The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-08-10
THE STAR REUTERS.
Opening speech in the Star Route Prosecu-
ton Programme for the Argument.

Washington, August 9 Mr.. Kerr opened
the argument for the prosecution in the star
route cases to-day, and continued speaking
until court adjourned. None of the defen-
dants were present. Mr.. Kerr began by call
ing attention to the documentary and other
evidence introduced in these cases, and said
many of the papers presented might seem to
amount to little. but all the seperate and ap-
parently Insignificant details, whenput togeth =
made out scheme of unprecedented villainy
on the part Of the defendants. 1t had been
said that no twelve men Of ordinary intelli-
gence could put these details together SO as to
see their meaning, but he did not believe it.:
He thought this jury had very clear idea of
the case. 1t was case of national impor-
lance, and one which was everywhere regar-
ded with the deepest interest. 1t would be a
grand vndication of our institutions if sub
cabinet officer and ex- United States senator
could be convicted like other criminals, and
he thought they could. His exposition of the
case would be confined to the narrowest limits
to the clearest statements, dates and other
particulars. Mr.. Kerr then reviewed, briefly,
the personal history of each Of the defendants,
and took up in order of consideration and
comment each Of the routes set out in the in
dctment. Before he had concluded his argu-
ments, the court adjourned.
Mr.. Kerr will be followed by Judge Carpen-
ter and Jeff Chandler for the defense. Mr..
Bliss, of the counsel for the prosecution, will
then speak, and will be followed by Messrs.
Teller, Hine andHinkle for the defendants.
Attorney General Brewster or Merrick will
next address the jury, and will be replied to
by Moses, McSweeney, Wilson and Ingersol.
Mr. Merrick or the attorney general will then
close the argument.
English Capitalists and Mexican Railways.
The following paragraph recently appeared
in the London Daily Telegraph:
"English creditors of the Mexican govern
ment are presenting objections to the payment
of the subsidies granted to the railways under
construction by American companies in Mexi-
CO. They claim that the national income of
that country is pledged to the holders of the
Z per cent. Mexican bonds of 1851, mainly
held in England, and upon which there is
now interest overdue to the amount of about
$40, 600, 600. 1t is said these bonds have
been held by the highest Mexican courts to
be first charge upon all the revenues of the
Mexican government, including, of necessity,
the customs duties that are now chiefly used
for substituting these new roads. In plain
words, the English holders of these bonds
claim that the subsidies offered and being paid
to the railways are already pledged and right
fully belong to them. What success these OBJ
jections raised 10y the English bondholders
may have in retarding the progress of railway
building in Mexico remains TO be seen. II
the Mexican government is SEC, ooo, 900 be-
hind in its interest on these bonds from insult
hciency OF its revenues, it would seem that the
bondholders would welcome any undertaking
that would improve the Commercial interest
and revenues ofthat country, even should the
payment of their debt be longer deferred"
IT IS fixed fact that the friends Of Hon.
John Hancock will present his name for the
congressional nomination. The strong senti-
ment already developed in his favor in many
portions of the district leads to the open
declaration of such purpost.- Austin States
man
If John Hancock ge's "set down on" will
it be an indication that the democracy Of the
10Th district have no use for 4 man who pre-
al QUAR- ha al cnnyant;oo