National Republican., 1883-04-04
MERRTCK DONE With DORSEY
The Witness Fails to the Last to Remember the
Details Of His Business.
The Story Of RerdeIIs Going Over to
the Government" Again Told,
Dorsey Believes That Garfield, But for Death, Would
Have Dropped James and Macyeagh.
A ColIoquy on Identifying the Pismire
and the Elephant.

The close of Mr.. Merricks cross.questioning
of Mr.. Dorsey marked an epoch in the star
route trial yesterday. An earlier adjourn
ment was the result, though the day was full
of interesting court room conversation. Mr..
Dorsey bore down heavily upon Rerdells con-
duct, and freely admitted that he had made
endeavors to have the service increased on
certain routes. Ho even went so far as to say
that he believed he had advised the getting
of influence from prominent democrats, and
said that il he did not, he could say that he
certainly would should he have IL to do over
again. In matters Of remembering or recog.
nizing letters or orders written to subordi-
mates there was the same failure to remem-
ber positively that has marked the testimony
of Mr.. Dorsey on previous days.
The day began by an explanation from Mr..
Dorsey that Mr.. Bosler had taken away the
book he thought had been left for him
Dorsey.
In beginning the cross.examination 1t was
brought out that Mr.. Bosler had put into the
business $4,000 in two installments ; that he
charged II per cent. interest per month, and
that when he took charge Of the business, he
was given a half interest in 1t. When asked
If his routes did not pay profit of $lOo,OOO,
witness said he did not know, but he did not
believe they did As topaying sub-contractors,
he said it was always done upon accounts rem
dered by Rerdell. He said there had been no
such complexity of accounts us TO render nee.
essary the keeping of books by Rerdell, and
did not admit that books had been bought as
apparently shown by u bill for such books.
Mr.. Merrick produced some drafts and tele-
graphic money orders showing payments OF
money by witness through Rerdell to John
Dorsey. Mr.. Ingersoll objected to the ques-
bni irra hp Ia
might as we'll ask him if he has ever read
the declaration of independence"
Mr.. Merrick promptly turned to the wit
ness and put that question.
"Now don't object" said Mr. Ingersoll;
"that is the most pertinent question put this
morning"
An examination was next made into the
checks The witness explained that a check
for $500, drawn in favor of Rerdell, had
been given to the latter when witness was
about to leave the city; wanted money and
had no time to 90 to the bank. Rerdell re-
turned with the money and it was placed in
witness valise.
Mr.. Merrick asked if that was not an unus-
ual proceeding for capitalist to draw check
for so large sum to the order of his clerk
instead of drawing it to his own order, and
indorsing it upon the back.
The witness answered that it might have
been an unusual proceeding for a capitalist
but he did uot happen to be one he regarded
it as the most natural thing in the world
he wanted the money and sent for 1t.
John Dorsey and Peck had been paid &c.,
900 each
Referring to the interview in July with
Rerdell in BOslers room at Wizards hotel
the witness said that he had gone there to
discuss RerdelPs conduct with Bosler Rer-
dell had drawn on him for $1,000
The witness had turned over to his coun.
aal Mr. MpSwpenpy Rar1a1l's & lettar Tin yyhipl,
he states that he is going over to the govern
mentl could not say whether or not the let
ter had been referred to in the conversation
Rerdcl had not been confronted with the let
ter, for of course he knew of its receipt.
Mr.. Merrck wished to know why Rerdell
had not been confronted with that letter af-
ter his denial Of the allegation that he was
going over to the government.
The witness said there was no necessity for
the adoption of that course.
Mr.. Mcrrick replied that it made little diff
ference what the witness thought; it was
rather too unnatural proceeding to smile
away.
The witness said that Boser and himself
had no desire to have row with Rcrdell AT
that time. He knew they had the letter
They were not ambitious to afrOnt him then
because public sentiment had been worked
up considerably, aud witness did not care to
have difficulty with one of the defendants
Was quite certain that Rerdell asked him to
write out the form of the affidavit. 1t was
intended chiefly TO protect BOsler for there
was nothing new in il concerning the witness
In regard to the letters to Miss Sprngman
which Rerdell said had been used to threaten
him while he was in Jail, the witness was OF
opinion that Rerdell had mentioned her name
on the stand, Witness knew the woman, and
had recommended her for q position i'll the
Treasury department in 1851. Left the
recommendation with ,Rerdell when he wit.
ness went away and Rerdell secured the ap'
pointmcut.
He wrote her number of very vicious
letters, which she copied and transmitted tC
the witness III New Mexico. Witness foi'
warded them to Mr.. Ingersol. SIS not that
So" said he, appealing to his counsel.
Never mind; j want your testimony
said Mr.. Merrick.
The letters had been shown to Rerdell while
he was in Jail only for his information. Some
one had suggested that they be published
and he told Rcrdel that, and added that he
would destroy them to avoid any possible
trouble did that because he thought that
Rerdell had enough trouble at that time. lie
was not threatened at all. Perhaps the letter,
had been shown to Rerdel before that occur
renee.
The examination then REQUIRED to the in
terview at the Albemarlc hotel. Witness had
been in his room all that day, Dewitt G
NneelcT DTtuhluSteu WIN nlus / mere WH'
no quarrel between ReTdell and himselfat that
time.
Tho books which Rerdell was to turn over
were thecNpense book, some letter books, and
the mail books
The witness admitted that he was much
surprised when he received Rerdells tele
grams from Jersey City after their amicablt
parting. Believed that he sent two kilograms
to Rerdell at Philadelphia. Probably talked
over the matter with Elkins, kcrens, and
Wheeler that night Possibly he had re-
quested some one to see Rerdell, but had nc
recollection upon the subject
Mr. Merrick thought il looked odd that
man could forget such an important matter
The witness did not regard it as of much
the presence Of Col. Ingersoll, aud had gon,
TO New York on his way west, with no in
tention of returning. Then Rerdell's tele
grams showed that the charges were false
that he had been faithful to every trust
Possibly BOser had been requested to SCI
Rerdell Such thing was perfectly natural
Kerons told witness about RerdelPs visits /,
James and MacVeagh aud witness at first 10
fused to believe 1t, until he came TO Wash
ingtOn in the latter part of that week, anC
the statement was then confirmed. Regarded
the affidavit then made by Rerdell as of im
pOrtance, because he knew that no would d.
anything ON earth that he could do TO I'M jur
him (witness) by perjury, forgery, OF subor
nation Of perjury.
Mr.. Merrick inquired why he had retained
such a man in his employ.
The witness answered that in the first plac
he did not know that Rerdell was such man
and second because nobody could protect him