The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-11-02
STAR ROUTE BRIBERY.
Foreman Dickson Comes Forth
AKain-The Case Against Payne.

SThuu jury Cdue lutO luC CIlihlhoi
court this morning, and presented TO
Judge Wylie communication which
they had received from w. NJ. Dick
son, foreman OF the late star route
jury, reciting the circumstances of
an attempt which he alleged the de-
partment OF justice had made to
bride him, and praying that he might
be summoned before them to pre-
sent the facts. Judge Wylie said
this was a highly improper commu-
nication, and directed the grand jury
TO take no notice of it, and ordered
rule to issue to Mr.. Dickson to
show cause why he should not be
punished for contempt.
The first of the star route jury
bribery cases-that against Arthur
Payne, colored-came up in the pO-
lice court at noon to-day. The de-
PENDANT pleaded not guilty, and the
case went to trial. Juror Brown was
the first witness, and was examined
at length with regard to Payne's al
legged attempt to bride him. He adj
mitted that on October IL he made
an affidavit relating thereto, which
is known as the Ingersoll affidavit,
but denied that Fal's name was
mentioned in it. When the docu-
ment was presented to him contain
ing Fall's name in an interlineation,
he said he thought it had been ILL
serted after he swore to the affidavit,
which was in Col. IngersolPs writ
ing. Some other parts OF the affida-
Wit were, he admitted, untrue. AT
the request of the defense further
examination of Brown was contln-
ued until tomorrow, in order to
allow them to obtain, by subpoena
on the Encouragement, the atfida-
Wits collected by special counsel
Wells.
More About the Bribery.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31.-The first
of the jury bribery cases against
Arthur Payne. colored, came up in
police court to-day. Gov. Wells
and Mr.. Kerr for the government
were in attendance, and Payne was
attended by his counsel, Messrs.
Padgett, Newman, DAVIS and
Clagett. Mr.. Brewster Cameron,
Col. Robt. G.. Ingersoll, Juror Nc
Lain and others who had been con:
nected with the star route trial sat
within the bars. After the presenta-
ton of several affidavits Juror Brown
was cal! to the stand aud told the
story Of Payne's attempt at bribery,
in substance as already related in the
press. Upon cross examination the
witness said he was informed
through an anonymous note
that Fall was working
up this scheme. Witness did
not believe they had any
intention of paying $2500 for his
vote. He did believe that it was a
job to send him to the penitentiary.
A. b. Williams, called 10 answer for
the affidavits of Nelson and others,
said he had returned Nelson's atii-
davit to Nelson; his reason for so
doing was that be did not believe
this was IN honest prosecution, and
the paper was wanted for no honest
purpose for the protection OF the
witness (Nelson), who would be
called before the court, he had done
this. Williams was asked whether
he was present and participating on
October l6, i'll the preparation of
what was subsequently published as
Col. IngersOll's interview. This
question the witness refused to an
swer, and appealed to the court. The
question was temporarily waved.
Witness knew a subpoena was out
for Nelson when he gave him the
affidavit this morning. Gov. Wells
here repeated his question relative
to the Ingersoll interview, but again
witness declined to answer and
his objection was sustained by the
court. Witness acknowledged he had
deliberately, and for the purpose of
evading subpoena, given the affidavit
to Nelson. He did this because he
wished to compel IT, e government to
bring Nelson into court. Witness
made this declaration in cool, de-
fiant manner, charging Gov. Wells
with having a dishonest purpose in
calling for the paper. He said he
acted only upon his own responsible
ity in this matter. Ingersoll knew
nothing of his purposes. He did
not know what Foote'S affidavit
was, but believed it had been re-
turned TO Foote several days ago.
He declined to tell where FoOte was,
and in answer to an implied threat
from Gov. Wells, to have
him punished for concealing
the whereabouts of fugitive from
Justice, he said the charge against
Foote was only misdemesnor, and
he (Williams) could not be forced to
give such information.
Subpenas were issued for Col. In
gersoll, Nelson and Baker, clerk in
Ingersoll's employ, and the court
adjourned until tomorrow.
Col. Robert q. Ingersoll has been
interviewed upon Special Counsel
Wells report in the star route bril-
berry case and says: 81 have read
the report, and l am very much OBJ
liged to Wells for making 1t. He
has corroborated my statement in
many particulars, and has furnished
so much evidence in favor of abso-
lutte truth that | feel under obliga-
tions to him. charged that Fall
was employed by the government at
ten dollars a day and Wells admits
it; that Nelson was employed at fifty
dollars a month and Wells admits it;
that both these men were hired be-
cause Fall said he and Nelson had
bribed Brown in former case, and
Wells admits this. l also charged
that Fall was employed by Foote,
and that Foote brought Payne to
Fall, that Fall got Payne to offer
Brown $500 for his vote, and
Wells admits this. The only
real difference between Wells,
statement and my own, up to this
point, is as to the form of the written
agreement Fall wrote for Brown to
sign. All the evidence taken to-
gether shows, without one shadow
Of doubt, that Fall was employed by
the government department of JUS
tice, and that in the interest.of his em-
ployer Fall endeavOred to corrupt
Brown. 1t is admitted by the de-
partment of justice that Fall not
only made an improper proposal,
but Wells substantially admits that
Fall did go to Holmead and did tell
him all the other jurors were under
the ban of suspicion, and that he
(Holmead) was the only juror in
whom the attorney general had any
confidence. HOlmead did not regard
this conversation as an attempt TO
bride him, and so stated but as
matter of fact to approach a juror in
that way is just as reprehensible as
to offer him money. 1t Is Infamous.
The real question and the only ques-
ton RALLY in the case is for whom