Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-02
He Writes an Open letter to the Pub
lie at Large.
AN INNOCENT AND NaIIGNED MAN.
He Handles James and NeYeach With.
out GlOVes,
PAYS RESPECTS TO BREWSTER
And Makes Out Very Coed Case for
Himself Into the Bargain.

ton:
TO the Public: During a year and a
half of constant and persistent abuse of
me, have carefully refrained from say
ing word in my own defense. The
charges made against me were of such a
character that I thought best to submit
each and every one of them to a judicial
test, that the public might know their
truth or falsity. When these charges were
first made, in March, 1881. came to this
city and laid all the facts before the then
president, Gen. Garfield, and requested
him to select commission
composed entirely of Democrats to inyes
tlgate each and every charge
MacVeagh and James had caused to
be spread abroad. I told him 1 would
not have counsel appear; that I wanted
naked facts put before the commission
and would abide by any decision arrived
at by my most bitter political enemies.
Thereupon General Garfield wrote man
datory letter to Mr.. James, directing him
to select such commission. with directions
to make the most searching and far-reach-
ing investigation so far as 1 was con-
cerned. l took the letter to James at the
Arlington hotel Thursday. James ex-
pressed his approval of the course of the
president and thought I was entitled to
have thorough investigation of all ale.
cations, and he said that on the following
day, friday, he would have a commission
organized and be ready to proceed. !
went to the postoffice department FRIDAY
at the hour appointed, but James sent
word that he was not there. I called on
him at his hotel the same evening. when
he excused himself for not he.
ing ready to proceed and
designated Saturday as tho time he would
be. went to the Office Saturday accord.
ing to agreement, and James sent word
that he was still absent. I visited him
Saturday night at his hotel, and insisted
that as the charges against me seemed to
come from the postofice department and
Office of the attorney general, had right
to sk,and demanded,a full, thorough and
complete examination of them; that if I
were guilty of any wrong doing was here
to make answer. James, then, in a cringing
and sycophantic manner, for which he is
distinguished, said Monday of last week
everything would be in readiness, and we
could proceed with the examination. I
went again to the postoffice department
Monday agreeable to appointment. James
had not returned from his trip, so I called
on him for the fourth time at the hotel
that evening, and insisted that the direc-
ton of the president be carried out. I
asked him to select, if they would serve.
i've Democratic senators or members of
the house OF Responsibilities, and
submit to them every word
OF evidence he had or could get against
me, and that would leave my case to the
Judgment of such men, without the intro
duction of evidence or argument on nv
behalf. James then said he would be ready
to proceed Tuesday, and on that day at the
hour named l went to the postoffice depart
ment, but there had been so much clubbing
and falsehood that I thought it best on
this occasion to ask Col. Robert G. Inger-
soil to accompany me. Col. Ingersoll and
waited at the department for several
hours, and finally James and Wayne Mac
Veagh made their appearance. MacVeash
seemed to speak for himself and all the
rest of the government. He said they had
determined not to allow me to Lave an in
vestigation of the charges published
against me in the newspapers. Col. Inger-
soil asked him why such investigation
should not be given, and especially in view
OF the fact that the president lad directly
ordered 1t. He asked MacVeagh what reason
could be given the public why the investi-
cation of these alleged crimes was denied
when asked for. MacVeagh replied by
saying there were many reasons; that SO
far as he knew and so
far as the records of government
al departments showed, nothing whatever
OF wrong doing could be shown against
Stel hen W. Dorsey, and that reason alone
was sufficient why he would decline to al
low any investigation when there was
nothing to investigate, SO far as he
knew; and turning towards the writer. he
said the president had asked him to ask
me to present in writing the hole story
OF my relations and connections with the
star route mail contracts. I told him
Gen. Garfield had statement N his DOS
session, written Dec. 8, which explained
the whole story; that there was moth
ing could add or take from If. I said
further that while the letter referred to
was entirely confidential and related to
confidential subject, I will take pleasure in
saying to the president. as I now say to
you, that anything therein written may
be given to you for examination, and you
will find complete explanation of all the
connection l ever had with the star routes.
The nature of the letter gives the reason
why l made the statement to Gen. Gar
held,and you will see at once the propriety
OF my having made such statement, and
at that time, when you read the letter. The
matter to which the letter refers is purely
personal, and all that shall say to you
on this star route subject is as personal as
the letter, referring solely to myself.
James and MacVeagh both joined in saying
to Col. Ingersoll and myself that any com
munication made by me would be regarded
as confidential, and considered solely for
their own and the presidents use, and
that If they found in the course
of their investigation anything |
that seemed to contr; dict what |
was therein set forth, they would submit |
the same to Col. Ingersoll or myself for |
such explanation as we ware able to make. |
On this pledge of James and MacVeayh II
wrote out and gave the president for the |
use of MacVeagh, every fact within my
as to star route all contracts |
IN which was in any way concerned.