Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-06-13
A STAR ROUTE SECRET.
Col. Bliss Ward and Other Gossip 3
the National Capital

the National Capital.
WASHINGTON, June I2.-An officer O
the government said ONE to-day: o.Ther
are two things which will be investigate,
by the next Congress. They are the case
of the star route trials and the so-calleC
| Ottman compromise. This prediction will
very likely prove true. The star rout,
expenses, particularly the enormous
fees paid the counsel for the prosecution
would doubtless have been investigated
at the last session had Senator Van Wvcl
made his charge upon them at an earlier
period'Of the session. But the Nebrasks
senator went on the warpath only two
nights before the session was over. Hf
talked very plainly and boldly, it is true
but he did so when it was too late for ac.
ton. There will be plenty of time, however
for the Democrats of the next House r.
Inaugurate and conclude an investigation
OF this scandal. If the star route ex-
penseS constitute a scandal. certainly the
Ottman compromiSe-Where a man who
received stolen money from the Treasury
was allow to keep the most of ii bv the
payment back of a certain SUMS an
outrage. 1t looks little the worse too
when 1t is mentioned that the Drincinal
counsel for the star route people We're
also concerned in the Ottman comDro-
mise. 1t seems to be altogether n very
compact syndicate for getting money out
OF the Treasury. There is one
thIng IN all this, however, that should
be noted. While most neonle
believe that there has really been pirfer.
ing from the government in these matters,
nobody ever says that the Attorney Gem
eral is personally dishonest. He has not
conducted his office as he should. but he
has never protited personally in any way
by the manner in which it has been run.
An Investigation of the matters mentioned
Will, predict, show one thing. 1t will be
demonstrated that George Bliss, and not
the Attorney General. has been directing
thlngs III the star route IN alters. and also
III the Ottman compromise. President
Arthur and George Bliss are very warm
friends. There is bond between them
when was contracted years ago in New
York. Exactly what the character is no
one knows. But it exists. 1t
viii be found that through the Presi
dent George Bliss got the hold upon
the Department of Justice, which he now
grips, and by means of which he has been
able TO charge any sums of money that he
wanted for his services and for the SER
vices of his confreres in the star ronte
cases. 1t is George Bliss and the Presi
dent.
ashlngton is city where the cOlored
citizen gets more ''rights'' than he does
elsewhere. 1t has been called the 'EcOlOr
ed mans paradise" In all public move
ments, receptions and meetings, the col
ored citizen is generally very well repre-
sented. He has never been left out in the
cold entlrely. lie has become to think it
due OF the things which belongs to him
that he should always take part in public
dolngs of the city and citizens. He has
Just been shocked and is indignant. He
Is protesting and talking against the in
dignity which has inst been
placed upon him. 1t is all 70 he
laid to the door of Mr.. w. w.
Corcoran, of this city. Mr.. Corcoran had
the remains of John Howard Payne
brought home. They were inferred in
Oak Hill Cemetery last Saturday with
very pretty ceremonies. A statue to
Payne was unveiled. Thousands of neo,
pie were there. Mr.. COrcOran had charge
of all the arrangements. Admission TO
the cemetery was by ticket. Not ticket
10 a col0red person was issued-nOt a col
ored person was there. This was certain
ly blow to the inhabitants of the colOred
mans paradise.
Speaking of the Indignation of the col
oTeu population about the way the Payne
ceremonies were conducted, reminds me
that a certain public man has a right to
be little mad. He is James G. Blaine.
Blaine is pretty goOd-sized man in this
country, and certainly has been accus-
toned, without question, to all the priyi-
leges ON occasions of public ceremonies
which are accorded to other public men.
For some reason he was slighted-it NAV
nave been an accident-On the John How
ara Payne day. There was special stand
Tor all the prominent men: they were
seated together. Blaine was placed way
OIL from these gentlemen, though he was
a specially invited guest and sat during
the exercises among the common people
Blaine did not seem to mind it but the
incident has created good deal of com
ment.
Gen. Hancock was in the city the other
day: 1t was noticed by those we'll ac-
quainted with him that he is not looking
as well as formerly. They say that he is
a great deal thinner, his eyes begin to
look deep-set, the wrinkles to multiply.
and his hair is many times grayer than If
was a couple of years ago. But he is no
wreck, There is no danger of the question
of his health becoming a national issue,
as is the health of Mr.. Tilden.