The Portland daily press., 1883-06-09
THE STAR ROUTES.

Mr.. Merrick Concludes his Argument.
WASHINGTON June S.--When the Star route
trial was resumed this morning Foreman Crane
arose and said that several members OF the
jury wished TO again examine the pencil men,
orandum, the Clendennin letter, the letter
from Dorsey to Capt Paddock Introducing
RerdelD and also one OF Rerdells letters con-
tanning his signature.
The court said the request was perfectly
proper and the papers were handed to the jury.
After allowing them an opportunity 70 COM
pare the papers Mr.. Merrick resumed his adj
dress.
AS overt acts committed after division and
proof of continuance OF conspiracy Mr., Mer-
rick instanced orders for expedition and In
crease on routes from Kcarney TO Kent, from
Vermillion TO Sioux Fall, from Bismarck TO
Tongue ltiVer, from Pueblo to Rosita, from
Parrott City to Oio Calienta, "a retroactive and
unlawful order) from Ouray to Los PinOs,
from Silverton TO Parrot City, from Tres Ala
mos TO Clifton and from Fongueyiile TO Adar-
vile. AS he enumerated these and other pa
pers, Mr.. Merritt suecintly reviewed the evil
denee tending to show their fraudulent charaH-
ter. lie reminded the jury that II was sufficient
for them 20 find only one OF them TO be an
overt act without reference 10 perpetrators.
Rerdell may have committed the only overt
act they could discover, yet that was enough.
He was one OF the consprators and had plead
cd gailLy, and although one man could not con-
spire, as they had one admittedly guilty, they
might lind any other one guilty with him.
Mr. Merrick happened to read the date OF one
OF the orders as 1S49 instead OF 1879, Mr.. Will
son remarked ''Yon have not been speaking 80
long as YOU Think
Mr.. Merrlck-It seems to me that have
boon talking almost that long.
AlesFiei> saia that Angetssl haa gone on All-
ling government witnesses until lie stood ia
the midst OF an extensive burying ground. To
protect his client he has been compelled 10
paralyze the cross examination OF his own wit
nesses. They were not killed. hut spoke In such
distinct tones that the jury could not but hear
them. They must keep in view the fact that
these routes taken at an original price of SAL
600 had been increased IN one short year,
through the exercise Of an exceptional and ex-
traordinary power by the second assistant post
master general so as 10 yield S4lS,CJ0. Official
corruption was a sure sign of national deca-
deneei partisanship ana party sympathy con-
doned multitude OF sins, and it was princi-
pie OF political parties 90 avoid prosecuting
mon OF the same party For himself, be was
above such principles Of party. For official de-
linquencies Of their own partisans, parties
were responsible. People, regardless Of party,
would pay everlasting tribute 10 an administra-
tion that had the high moral courage TO punish
the corruption Of members of its own political
household. 1t was infinitely 10 the honor Of
tho gentleman and his associates (although he
did not agree with them politically that they
had pursued their duty unwaveringly. The
verdict OF this jerry would be the most import
ant ever given in this country. IL would de-
eide whether the wild carnival Of official
crime should cease, or IL would give unrestrain-
cd license TO criminal riot. Ii must stop Off
cial pecnlation by making stealing dangerous
pastime. 10 must show officials that they
could not 90 on acquiring their ill-gotten
wealth and bidding defiance to courts and pub
lie as these defendants had done. Whilst the
Jary was trying this case, the country was try
ing them; trying the court and himself
Mr.. Ingersol interrupted 20 question the
proprtety of this statement bat j udge Wylie
said that he had better leave that to the court.
Mr.. Nerrick then concluded his address
He demanded from the jury verdict Of
guilty against all defendants. Not a verdict
based Gu sympathes but on facts and evidence
and law. He demanded this verdict In behalf
OF the people OF the United States whose public
treasury these defendants had robbed He de-
manded verdict IN yindication of the official
trusts that defendants had disregarded, OF the
laws Of the land which they had spurned with
contempt. He demanded a verdict In vindica-
tion OF the truth and honor and virtue Of the
American people which these mon had stained
and blackened. BY verdict OF guilty that
injury 10 virtue aud tFnth and honor might be
redeemed, and that too by jury taken from
tha people showing their appreciation OF
virtue, outraged and honor disregarded. Mr..
Merrick thanked the Court and Jury fer their
patient attention and took his seat.
The Court asked il both sides were prepared
to submit their prayers After a short discus
sion the counsel on both sides agreed TO sub
init the prayers in season TO secure their pnb-
iicalion in the next issue OF the record, and
then question arose as TO the time 70 be al
lowed Tor their argument. AT MIR. lngeFsolps
suggestion it eegs.l litslit the org q ssett
20 Monday, the time 70 he equally divided be-
tween the prosecution and defence The at
tendance 81 the jury being unnecessary during
the argument on prayers they we're excused
until Tuesday, and The court adjourned until
Monday