Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-02-21
Star Reuters Indicted.


WASHINGTON. Feb. 20.-The grand jury
sent down presentments against twelve per-
sons for conspiracy in the star route case.
Among those presented for indictment are ex-
Assistant Postmaster General Thos. J. Brady,
ex-senator Stephen W. Dorsey, his brother, j.
w. Dorsey, his private secretary, M. G. Per-
dell, John G. Miner, of the firm of Miner. Vale
& Co., Capt. J. w. Tanner, formerly clerk in
the postoff1ce department, and j. W. Peck,
brother-in-law of ex-senator Dorsey. In the
case of 8. P. Brown, j. E. French, F. P. Lille,
l.. W. Vale and J. w. Sanderson, whose names
have been connected with star route transac-
tions, and some of whom have already been
before the court or the United States commits
sioner, the charges were virtually ignored and
dismissed from consideration. The presenta-
ton covers number of routes and contracts.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.--The reporter of the
Associated Press interviewed Col. G. Bliss,
chief counsel of the star route prosecution,
tonight. Col. Bliss confirmed the report Of
the indictment and gave the following list:
Postmaster General Thomas J. Brady, ex-
Senator Stephen A. Dorsey, John w. Dorsey,
Booth. OF the senate, W. H. Turner, formerly
clerk in the postofice department, John R..
Miner and Henry M. Vale, of the firm of
Miner, Vale & Co., and j. l.. Sanderson and
J. M. Peck, of the Dorsey firm. The last
named (Peck) is said to have died
recently. 1t is understood the pre-.
sentiments do not include French, E B. Lilley,
and 8. P. Brown, who were included In the
original information. Bliss stated the finding
was unanimous on The merits of the cases,
but none whatever as to the propriety of re-
turning indictments. Said Bliss, regard the
unanimous action Of the grand jury as, first,
a vindication of the administration of justice
in the District of Columbia; second, as vim
dication of the administration of President
Arthur. who has insisted from the first that
Justice should have full sway in these cases,
and that the guilty should be punished; and
third, as a vindication of the prosecution
and in minor sense of myself, for l have
said all along these parties ought to be in.
dicted and that believed they would be.
never saw any case In which the evidence was
collected with so much energy, intelligence
and ability. That credit does not belong to
me, nor to any of the prosecution, but to in
spectors of the pOstOffice department, who
gathered this testimony from all parts of the
West. The prosecution will call about $50
witnesses.
"When do You expect to get to triai?" asked
the reporter.
Well, If the defendants honestly desire a
speedy trial we can begin in a little while. 1t
will require ten days to draw up the indict-
ments. Fhey are being prepared by Mr.. Kerr
in the attorney generals office. The govern
ment witnesses, who appeared before the
grand jury, have been allowed to go home to
rreTent the hardship, which remaining at
one dollar and quarter day, would have
Oeen to them. Some witnesses came 4, 700 miles
The action of the grand jury was great
surprise to the accused. Counsel for the de-
Tense said tonight it was small matter any
how, as they had a clue that would demolish
the prosecution as soon as the cases went into
court. He declined to state, however, what
this clue is. Col. Bliss says there is no ques-
ton whatever but that all the cases will come
within the statute of Limitations.