Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-16
CITY AND DISTRICT.
TIE STAR ROUTE TRIAL.
Fir. Bliss Opening Address to the
Jnry-The Methods Of the COnspira.
tors.

Jnry-she Methods o. the COnspira.
tors.
After the report of the star route trial in
yesterdays STAR closed Mr.. Bliss continued his
address until the adjournment at o'clock
These contractors, he said invariably bid for
routes whereon the time was slow and the
number of trips few. Out of 134 routes upon
which they got contracts on IS of them, the
advertisement called for but one trip week,
and on IS of these routes orders for expedition
and increase were made On such routes az
We're awarded them they bid low, because of
the previous arrangement by which the routes
were to be run up to profitable sum. During
the year 1873 Brady made 66 separate
orders. increasing the pay of these de-
PENDANTS. and in 1879 he made - such
orders. On one of the routes on which a
postmaster had written to the department that
the service not mercenary. Miner had
written letter to the sub-cOntractor which
would be produced, telling him in substance to
pay the postmaster what he wanted and shut
his mouth. Mr. Bliss gave brief review of
Mr.. BTady's administration. During the four
years and nine months of his term Of Office he
said he had made 100 orders for expeditions or
contracts originally let for 1907. 7o5.45. which
raised the cost of the routes TO -. 81 ,2ll2o.
Mr.. WILSON OBJECTS.
MI " iiSO0 OtjeCItN 10 MI Bliss stating III
his opening address facts which could not be
admitted In evidence. These matters. he said.
were absolutely disconnected with the case. He
was going wholly outside of the Northumberland
speaking that which he lir WILSON, said was a
Misrepresentation of the truth OF the matter.
He wanted not to stop Mr. Bliss. but he did not
want the court to stop the defense when they
came to speak the truth about the matter.
cisely the same statement at the same stage of
the opening OF the last trial.
Mr.. Wilson said if lir. Bliss was allowed to
go into the matter. the defense would claim the
right to 90 into every one Of these routes. ana
showed that every order for expedition was
made in response to public cla!nor. He gave
notice that the defense proposed TO meet all the
statements about these routes if it took year.
JUDGE Wylie said that he understood that no
objection was made. but simply notice given.
The court accepted the notice.
Mr.. Chandler made formal objection to Mr..
Bliss stating anything in reference to- any routes
but the number referred TO in the Indictment.
Judge Wylie Overruled the objection.
REDUCTIONS MADE SINCE BRADY RETIRED.
Mr.. Bliss, continuing. said that in July, 1878.
the aggregate cost of the star service west of
the Mississippi was about 50 COO coo. One year
afterward. under the management of Brady. the
aggregate cost of the same service was So 7O6 81
Brady was compelled to ask from Congress- Mr..
Bliss remarked that they might show some of
the means by which this appropriation was OBJ
tanned from Congress.
Mr. Davidge here objected that this matter
was not pertinent to the case, and was a matter
which could not be introduced in TESTIMONY
Judge Wylie remarked that he could not tell
yet what would be introduced In testimony.
Mr. Bliss said that at the last trial there had
been some testimony on that subject.
nnr-i Il i
court give its attention to the address of Mr..
Bliss. as the defense in their opening would
claim the same iibeTality.
Judge Wylie having observed that he was lis
tening. Mr.. Bliss said Zone of the difficulties
of the case is that other people than counsel are
listening"
Mr. Bliss being permitted to go on showed
how the cost of the star service had been re-
duced ~ per cent from June. 1881, to June
1882. though the number of miles of service had
been reduced but IL per cent. Wyoming was
now supplied with the mail at one-haf of the
amount of money that Brady sauandered on
one route in the territory. They would be
asked to believe that the reduction Of
the star ser zee since Brady went out
of office was due. not to legitimate
economy, but to transferring the cost from the
star service to the railroad service as a matter
OF fact Though the star service had been reduced
81 ,99l 600. the railway service had been in
creased only S2445l3.
The extrayagant amounts that Mr. Brady
allowed having been reduced by Mr. Bradys
successor to what he thought was a reason
able figure, We're still further reduced at the
last letting when submitted to public COMPETE
tlon until the service now costs only one-sxth
OF what Brady paid tor the service.
MR.. ELMER NOT On TRIAL
Ar. Davidge having interrupted to inquire
whether the present Second Assistant Postmas-
ter General was on trial, and to remark that Mr.
Bliss had made very good defense for him. Mr..
Bliss observed that what he had said was not a
defense of Mr. Elmer. but showing I'D of Mr.
Brady. Mr.. Elmer needed no defense. The gov
eminent. If they presented no other evidences
than that OF the figures. the fact that eXpedi-
lions were made on insufficient and cGntradic-
tory evidence the fact of excessive allowances,
and orders for impossible expedition. &c. would
claim to- have established the tact of corruyafon
They would, however. show more than tins.
They would place before them witness who
would testify that he. having advanced money to
contractors. which was not paid, became con-
tractor, that Brady received from this gentle
man loans of money: that he called on Grady
Tor repayment. and that Brady refused to
pay. saying that he considered the money loaned
as given as a bride. and that il was customary
Tor him Grady to receive a percentage from
contractors whose routes are expedited. He
had TO doubt that the jury would be satisfied of
the truth OF the statement of this witness, who
would be supported by coTrObOrative story. Mr.
Bliss referred also to the confession of Rerdell.
made to the Postmaster General and ATTORNEY
General. in which he described the methods of
Brady and the combination of contractors
at this point the court adjourned until Mon
day.
The Passion Play
To The Editor of The EyFSr1G Sr4p.