Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-25
lSNlISSED OFFICIALS.
THE CHARGES UPON WHICH The
DISMISSALS WERE MADE.
REPORT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
BREWSTER TO THE PRESIDENT.
SEVERE ARRANGEMENT OF THE DELIN-
QUENT OFFICIALS.

The following is the report of Attorney General
Brewster to the President in which he sustains
port OF Colonel George Bliss to the President,
| and asks for the dismissal OF the officials
named, and gives the grounds upon which
| the request is made:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
WASHINGTON, d. c., NOy "A, 1882.
To the President OF the United States:
SIR-The letter OF George Bliss, counsel for the
United States In the star route trials addressed to
you, dated Nov. 11th 1882 referred to me by your
order, has been carefully considered. The facts
set forth In 1t are not new to me. From consid-
erations of legal, as well as official policy, have
thus far abstained from calling your attention
to these matters.
am much better satisfied that Mr. Bliss, acting
as counsel In the case, OF his own notion has SUBJ
mtted TO you the subject therein dealt with. Since
received the letter Mr.. Merrick and Mr. Ker COL
leagues OF Mr.. Bliss. called upon me and invited
my attention to the subject In the same manner
That Mr.. Bliss has in the letter written by him to
YOU IL 1S my opinion that the ends of Justice have
Deen interfered with by all Of the persons COM
planned OF by Mr. Bliss, Mr.. Merrlck ana Mr. Ker
The marshal of the District is responsible for
much OF the opposing sentiment to the case OF the
government that was exhibited In court AMI out
OF court during the trial OF the star route case.
His negligent and irregular conduct in selecting
the talesmen l strictly objected to at the time
and so informed him. The public interview that
he was guilty OF, and referred to by Col. Bliss, is
one that must subject him to the severest censure
As an officer OF the court and an officer OF the
government he was guilty in this of an ofrense,
which has been punished by courts as gross act
ate removal He is an unsuitable per-
son and has injuriously interfered
with the proper conduct of this star route case,
ana given hlS personal sympathy and the sympa-
thy of his Office to the indicted defendants
second-D. B. Anger, the postmaster OF this
city. and his assistant, Myron NJ. Parker are
justly subject to all the charges presented by Mr.
Bliss. and l think they should be removed. NO
men holding public appointments should be per-
mitted to use the influence and power of
IheH pOSltlOnS as they have used
theirs, or be permitted to interfere with such
prosecution, or any prosecution urged by the
government In v1ndication OF the law
Ihird.-Ihe man Helm, recently appointed to
the head OF one Of the departments In the Public
frntng Offce, Is by law {sec. 3,765) incapable OF
holding that office, 1nasmuch as he controls pub
lie newspaper; but will further add that the
paper he controls (as to which con-
tfol positive evidence was given upon
the trial Of the cause), is paper notoriously and
confessedly owned by one OF the defendants; a
defendant the most cupable OF ALL since 1t was by
his omclal criminal mafeasance the corrupt orders
were made, and the frauds successfully perpe-
trated His paper had been engaged from the be-
ginning OF these prosecutions down to the dis
charge OF the jury In the most violent abuse of all
who were supposed to BE- intere sted in bring
Ing the defendants to justice. The Judge
was not even spared; the counsel were
persistently slandered; and the witnesses
were openly assaulted, denounced.
and terroriZed by one continuous current of per-
sonal abuse and calumny lam OF the opinion
that this man should be forthwith removed: and
am astonlshed that those who have charge OF the
Government Printing Office, with the public
knowledge OF these facts, should have ventured to
appoint h1m. He is not man to be trusted In the
responsible position he holds
Fourth-In conjunction with Mr.. Bliss, 1 re-
spect1uily call your attention to the
conduct of George E. Spencer Upon the
day OF your departure from this CITY
Immediately after the adjournment OF Congress
communication by Mr.. Bliss and the other coun-
sci In the case was sent through me, lodging with
you complaint against George E. Spencer
Ihose papers did not reach you at that time This
WAS curing the latter weeks Of the trial; in fact
Tue evidence mad closed and counsel were address.
Ing the jury. Those papers are now before Won.
Mi. Bliss, by his letter. which you have referred
10 me, called your attention to them By them H.
appears that Mr.. Spencer Is a delinquent and III
sconi1ng witness; that he can testify to material
and important facts; and that he left this CITY
and has ever since secreted himself and avoided
the process OF the law. He holds an important
public position, and Is the last man who should
hesitate to be present in court to testify in case
OF this magnitude, and in which the honor of the
government and the administration OF public
justice is concerned; and because OF his censur-
able delinquency, unite with Mr. Bliss and the
other counsel in the case, In asking his immediate
removal.
Time enough has been given him to appear and
explain. Not one word has been heard from him.
and he has disappeared as II he were dead I
have directed the most thorough search to be
made for him, and thus far no trace OF him can be
found. That search will be persisted In, and II he
can be had he will be had and brought into court
and made to answer for his acc OF gross contempt
and disobedience, and obliged to testify to those
facts which are within his knowledge, and are SO
essential to maintain the prosecution OF the de-
PENDANTS
Fith--George o. Miller, one OF the police of the
District, In recent judicial inquiry, with the
audacity OF a criminal, confessed under oath that
ne nad oeen engaged and retained in the service
OF the DEFENDANTS In the star route case and had
persistently assisted them during the current of
the trial Because OF this confession so made nv
him, applied to the Commissioners Of this Dis
trict to remove him. That removal has taken
place.
Slxth.-All OF the other matters alluded to In
the letter by Col. Bliss have before been disposed
OF, and so have no occasion to consider them
In connection with this reference made to me-
will further report that In the public prosecution of
this star route case. and in presenting the indict
ments as yet untried to the grand jury have been
aided by the vigorous, upright and able help given
by Mr.. Bliss Mr.. Merrick, and Me- Ker had In.
| tended to have been present in person during the
whole trial. but as I have before this orally re-
ported to you, the other duties Of my office and nv
department required so much OF my time that I
was unable to do more than occasionally appear,
but kept myself instructed day by day with a
thorough knowledge OF sll the facts connected
with the trial. by reading and personal investga-