National Republican., 1882-06-08
THE sTAR.RouTE TRIAL.
Cancellation of Mr. Wilson's Argument
HIr. HIne Finishes and Mr.. Me-
Sweeney Commences.

Sweeney Commences.
Yesterday I'm the star-route trial Mr.. Wilson re-
sumed his opening for the defense. Mr.. Wilson
called attention TO the instructions issued to bid
ders by the Post. Onlce Department, and which
were in force long before General Brady's admin
istration. The Second Assistant Postmaster. GEN
eral had no time to 60 over all these routes in de-
tail, but claimed that the evidence would show
that what he had said Of the few routes which he
had considered in detail would apply to all. The
evidence would show that invariably where there
was iailure on the part of the contractor, Mr.
Brady imposed upon them vigorously the fines and
deductions provided for by tue regulations Of the
Department. He asked II man in conspiracy
would thus fine his coconsplrator.
THE COUNSEL THEN ARGUED
ut considerable length on the statute requiring the
Postmaster Gener,1 in increasing mail service to
have due regard for produciveness aud other cir.
cumstances. The receipts of tile offices were
no criterion Of the value of the route. The offices
showed only the mail that was sent out of the
office, they did not show the through mail
Nothing could be more deceptive than to present
such figures TO the jury and claim thatthey repre-.
nd 6n Sg us 0 the I'll f1be & YhS iS eTpe s VINO no
criterion by which to judge OF the importance of
route; that II was bald deception. The govern-
ment, he claimed, did not regard productivoness
as the criterion. The potential words in the stat
ute were and other circumstances" Mr.. Wilson
then, at great length, went into the history Of
1872, when the first act was found bearing on the
subject he read the various statutes passed by
congress governing the IOSt-OlilCe department;
referred to she establishment Of pony expresses,
and showed that Congress IN establishing routes
across the wide, expanse that lay between the
Pacific slope and the East alter the close OF the
Mexican war, did not consider the question of
what return they would get for their outlay. One
route that had cost 5000 900 had returned S2 900,
and another which entailed a like expenditure
produced revenue of $1,000 He then referred
10 the letter. cai rier system, but
WAS INTERRUPTED by Mr. MERRICK
who claimed that the gentleman was going out
side the urODpr limits of ODeuiuX nuurgss
After some discussion between counsel, Judge
wylie stated the RESTRICT ms placed upon an open.
ing statement. Mr.. Wilson said the government
was constantly shortening trips by having the
mails carried OH fast trains. What they looked
sop or "Ts tcod os gp f HS' o Cssy yb G w
ranged from 500 to $50 per mile in years preced-
ing Mr., Brady's accession 70 office. If they take
the average OF the service, IL was cheaper under
his administration than 1t had been for many
years before In 1858 the cost of carriage per
mile was 5S6 cents; in 1868 1t had grown 70 lf9O
cents, but under Mr.. Bradys administration was
| reduced to 924 cents. Referring to comparisons
made with lettings under MIR. Brady's admins,
tration and those of 1882, he said that there had
been immense changes in star routes, on account
OF the extension of railroads. He referred also
g. other conditions that bad changed As 70 the
| charges OF favoriism to contractors, Mr.. Wilson
claimed that the records would show there had
been no such favor shown. In regard 10
THE ALLEGED VAST PROFITS
made by contractors he claimed that 1t was toss
up whether they made anything or not out of the
contracts: some times they did and often they did
not. Mr.. Wilson then referred to the methods OF
doing business, and claimed that Mr.. Brady never
ante.dated an order. He contendCd that Turner
had nothing to do with the case, and ought never 10
have been dragged into it, and that the prosecution
would themselves say there was no cause of COM
plant against him. He claimed to be able to
show that RerdelIs confession was n fabrication,
SHG in%t tne SonPF"y If any S SxsSI was
tention 10 Mr. Brady's services during the war
| and also to Mr.. Turner's, and asked that the jury
yindicate his clients.
AFTER THE RECESS,
| Mr.. Hine opened for Messrs Vailo and Miner, and
| gave history of Mr.. Miners antecedents and his
| relations with ex-senator Dorsey. He claimed
| that no complaint had been made about the way
the service was performed. His clients had bust
ness relations with some of the other defendants,
who had contracts in the same Territory but there
| was no conspiracy. At $50 Mr.. MCSweeney be-
| gan the closing speech for the defense. He asked
| the court to adjourn until Tomorrow but this he
| declined to do. Mr.. McSweeney began by giving
an account Of ex-senator Dorseys carly days, un'
| I'll the court adjourned.