Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-03-08
THE STAR ROUTE DEFENSE.
Colorado Congressman Fined 500
for Contempt of Court.


WASHINGTON, March THE defense
in the star route cases began presenting
their evidence to-day. The first witness
called was Congressman Belford, of Colo
RADIO. Mr.. Ingersoll was about to show
that Belford frequently sought to have
the mail facilities in his State increased,
but Mr.. Merrick objected, because the
proposed testimony applied to the whole
State instead of the routes under con-
sideration.
The court said it would allow the de-
Tense to show that the witness had used
his influence with the department. but
it would not go into any question of the
general policy of the department.
Mr.. BelfOrd was allowed to say that he
had perhaps called at the PostOffice De-
partment one hundred times to urge upon
Brady increased mail facilities in his
State. Being asked to specify the sort of
arguments he had used to Brady to Justify
his application, Belford said he had i'm
pressed upon Brady the rapid growth and
needs of the State. He instanced the Sill
vertOn route through the San Juan county
and Leadville. In this town several years
ago he had found il impossible to walk
down the street, and the mail only COM
posed 40 letters. There were now forty
or fifty thousand people in the town.
There was Fort Collins. He was there
when six houses composed the town.
When he was there the other day he
could hardly find his way through the
town.
II object" said Mr.. Merrick. SIS that
competent, your Honor, what he is say
ing that he told Brady as if it only hap
pened the other day, while these visits to
Brady occurred several years agO?'
The objection was sustained, but the
Court decided to allow the witness to
prove the growth of the country.
Witness then went on to instance many
fourishing towns and cities in Colorado
that had sprung up within the past few
years.
Mr.. Merrick objected, because Of the
time referred TO, but the Court held that il
was proper evidence, for it might go to
show that Brady fOresaw the future de-
velOpments OF the country.
Mr.. Ingersoll sought to give Belford an
opportunity to testify concerning the
check which Rerdell had said was paid
to BelfOrd by Dorsey, but as Rerdel's
testimony on this matter was thrown out,
objection was made and promptly sus-
tanned. Mr.. IngersOll sought persistently
to bring out BelfOrd's statement by indi-
rection, but Mr.. Merrick insisted that if
anything was said about that check he
ShOuiu lnslsU upon the production OF the
stubs of the check book.
BeltOrd was finally dismissed from the
witness stand and stepped to the counsel
table, where he appealed to the Court for
the poor privilege of making a statement,
but the Court informed him that it could
not be permitted.
Belford then said solemnly and indig-
nantly: Il state before the living God
that / never saw such check.7 Then
turning on his heel he started from the
court room, but was recalled by the COM
manding voice Of the Judge, who eX-
claimed angrily: ''Come here, sir! Bring
Belford here!'
BelfOrd having returned, the Court in
quired what he had said, and Belford re-
peated it with emphasis, and was fined
$100 for contempt of court. BelfOrd said
he was willing to pay $500.
Mr.. lngersOll endeavOred to induce
Judge Wylie to remit the fine but failed,
and IngersOll accordingly rendered his
check, which was accepted, and BelfOrd
left the court room.
Secretary Teller then took the stand
and testified substantially as Belford had
done, to the efforts to secure a general in
crease of mail service in Colorado. The
greater part of the afternoon was spent
in wrangling.