Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-15
DOrsey's appeal.

rfoH aafPefs weekly.
On the eve Of the new star route trials, which
have now begun, Mr.. Dorsey published state
ment protesting to tell the whole story of hi:
connection with the subject, which he said he
had also written to President Garfield early in
1880, who, as he said. thereupon strongly de-
nOunced the prosecution. and referred Dorsey
to Postmaster General James and ATTORNEY
General MacVeagh, who, as Dorsey alleges. said
that there was no evidence on record proving
DOrsey's guilt. At their request he wrote out
the story cOntidentially, but they as he alleges
betrayed him. and placed detectives at work
upon an investigation. Mr.. Dorsey then pro-
ceeds to explain his relation to the star route
contracts. and asserts that the President. the
attorney General and the prosecuting officers
know as we'll as he knows that his statement is
absolutely true, and he alleges that the Marshal
OF the District has been removed in order that
the jury nponthe new trial NAV be packed.
The first impression produced by this appeal
Is that Mr.. Dorsey is at last thoroughly con-
Vinced that the government is In dead earn
est" in the prosecution. The second Is that II
the story be the whole truth he would have APP
peared upon the trial as a witness and have
submitted 1t to the court and to the country.
He cannot expect his own word to be accepted
as conclusive. But If he could produce evidence
that President Garfield believed him to be in
nocent, and that Messrs. Macveagh and James
betrayed him. why has he not produced it be-
iolC. WHY COcS lie uOt HOW pFOul1Ce IL
in his appeal? If there be letter
OF Garfield's which proves his innocence, or i'm
plies Garields faith in it, why does he not pub
lish it? And why has the present publication
been delayed to the very eve OF the new trial?
with all the evidence which was laid before the
ury and the country at the late trial. it is rather
oold In Mr.. Dorsey to assert that not syllable
vt proof was produced against him. Eighteen
grand iurymen and nine petit Jurors thought
that there was great deal Of very damaging
evidence.
Mr.. Dorsey attributes the prosecution TO the
desire Of revenge upon the part of Mr. James
and Mr.. MacVeagh for his opposition to their
appointment as members of the Garfield cabi-
net. But no one who knows those gentlemen
Will accept this theory; and they both decline
to enter into personal controversy with a man
whom. upon careful study of the evidence, they
unhesltatlngly pronounce to be thief
knowledge of the star route scandals did
not begin with the entrance of Messrs
James and MacVeagh into the
cabinet The scandals were known long be-
fore that event. and there is very general and
profound belief that there have been enormous
frauds upon the government. Even If the
present prosecution fails, that conviction will
remain. The devices of legal evasion are many.
and adequate legal evidence cannot ALWAYS be
produced to supplement moral conviction But
we repeat, If MIR. Dorsey can prove even at this
late day, that President Garfield believed him TO
be innocent Of all completely with these frauds
and can also produce the evidence which per
suaded the president, Mr.. Dorsey will certainly
have thrown new light upon the whole matter
If he cannot, his appeal will only confirm the
general belief In his guilt