Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1882-08-08
THE NATIONAL CAFITAL.

The Star Route Trtnls-ClOse of the Case
for the D-fense-A Surprise to the Gov
ernment-Other Matters.
WASHINGTON, Aug. lowing to sudden
illness Mr.. Bliss was not present in the Grim
inal court this morning. MIR. Wilson opened
the proceedings by reading petitions and
orders referring to the Reddlng -Alturas (Cal.)
route. A tabulated statement of the fines,
deductions and remissions on all the routes
named in the indictment was also offered in
evidence, but withdrawn for the purpose of
having it properly certified. The court ex-
cluded the report of General Brady for the
fiscal year 1876, which defense offered with
the object of showing that General Brady
recommended to Congress measures calculat-
ed to protect sub contractors. Several SINH
lar reports were likewise ruled out. A pow
er of attorney from Peck to Rerdell was ad.
mitted after some argument.
Mr. John L. French was recalled to allow
him to make few corrections in his prevl-
Gus testimony. Mr.. Wilson asked Mr.. French
if he knew why the schedule on route So, 115,
from Rawlins to White River, had been re-
duced to forty five hours, instead of the
eighty -four hours petitioned for. Witness
SAAS
fact that expedition to eighty-four hours
would be of no practical benefit, the order
had been made for forty-fve hour schedule
The cost of this last expedition was much
greater than it would have been under the
long schedule Aaron Prudshaw was next
called In 1879 he resided in Washington,
and in 1880 and 1881 he lived part of the
time in Colorado and part of the time in
Washington. He was familiar with the coun-
A. d. RIxynr rn11tn
He was asked the price of hay at that time
along that route, Mr.. Ingersol explain
ing. in reply to an objection, that he wished
to show that the cost of service on that route
was not -sive, in view of the high price of
feed and labor prevailing in that country. He
corn from $4 to S. per bushel, and labor
from 81 to $3 per day. The court said the
prosecution had not gone into that. 1t might
| have been argued that expedition should not
| have bsen ordered when hay was worth $50
per ton. The question was therefore ruled
out and the witness dismissed.
Mr.. Ingersoll then announced that so tar
as his clients (the Dorseys) were concerned
| he was through, and similar statements were
made by all the other counsel for defense.
This unexpected action of the defense created
considerable surprise, and Mr.. Merrick said
| that as Mr.. Bliss confined to his bed by
sickness, which prevented their usual con-
sultation, he would ask for a recess until
O'Clock when he believed that he could go
on with the presentation of some further evi-
dence he proposed to put in. Accordingly,
| at twenty minutes to -, recess was taken
| until o'clock.
In the afternoon session after testimony by
Bradshaw as to the price of forage, which
| the Judge ruled out, the defense announced
that they were through and the government
put several witnesses on the stand in rebuff
| tai Their evidence was unimportant, that
| of TT T., Na1EOn brought
| Buell., being ruled out. The court then sd
| journed.
The preliminary report on foreign com
| merce in the United States during the year
ending July 80. 1882, shows that its total
value is $3.50, 859, 456. There has been fall
| ing off of $50 0OO, 900 in our exports, mainly
on account of diminished production of cot
ton and breadstuffs owing to the drought.
| The President has signed the act providing
! for the publication of the tenth census the
deficiency bill, the sundry civil bill and the
act establishing post routes.