The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-02-21

Il new OK the. latter ACCUSES the witness
of making an affidavit against him before
MacVtagh and James. The witness told him
his action had been taken in his (Dorsey's)
behalf, and that he had been assured by At
| torney General MacVeagh that if he dor
sey) would come over and make full and
open story of the postal frauds, the Attorney
General would not even use him as a Gov
eminent witness against anybody else.
The witness next saw Dorsey by appoint
ment at his residence. Dorsey asked what
had been going on between the witness and
MacVesgh, and inquired il Rerdell intended
to ruin him. Dorsey asked how be could
get out of the trouble, and the witness said
he would do anything he could to help him
except to commit perjury. Dorsey
s ssst amount to When freD %ha' .te Soss
stake? I've been your friend for long years
1 took you from the District government
when i knew You would be discharged as
soon as | went out of Office. / will be your
friend from now on. For Gods sake don't
ruin me and my children. You would be
the death of my wife.
The witness bacame much affected at this
point. Tears sprung to his eyes. and his
voice was low and broken.
II promised to continue to do all / could;
said would make affidavit denying every
thing / had said to MacVeagh. /
drew statement of all / had
done and had said TO MacVeagh. Dorsey
added to and struck from il, finally making
the document / swore to. The paper was
stolen from my desk with other papers
| Dorsey and myself took the affidavits as
prepared TO the White House. / walked
down stairs while Dorsey and Ingersoll went
| up. That's the last saw of the affidavits."
| The witness had a newspaper copy of the
affidavits, and pointed out the portions
written by Dorsey and himself. II appeared
many statements therein contained deroga-
tory to the Attorney General had been in
serted by Dorsey.
Mr.. Ingersoll objected to the examination
relative to this affidavit.
Mr.. Merrick said the affidavit had been
| wrung from Rerdell by Dorseys tears and
sobs. He demanded OF the Court the priv
lege of cross-examination to show up the
entire truth, 20 show how the witness was
willing to lay bare his entire knowledge Of
the subject and the Court could not refuse
| this request
The Court said ii would hear the counsel
on the other side on the proposition.
Mr.. Merrick declared If defendant man
| ufactured lies, and it was proved, then it
was proof of his guilt. That paper was an
evidence of Dorsey's guilt. II it was false,
the witness swore to it, and s. w. Dorsey
subornated perjury.
Ingersoll in reply said the only proof that
1
by this witness and he had sworn exactly
the other way on the former occasion. That
could not be done In any Court in the world.
| Ingersoll made the point that as the Court
had entertained the testimony of James and
MacVeah only as sgainst Rerdell, and as he
had pleaded guilty, it was no longer proper
| ly before the Jury.
| The Court replied that perhaps that view
of the case would prevent the defense from
| CrOSS-eXamlQlDo uDOn that DaDQr
Messrs. Ingersoll and Davidge desclaimed
any intention of so doing.
The Court continued, and said it saw no
objection to the prosecution asking witness
to explain an apparently contradictory state
ment. 1t was necessary for them to wait
until the otter side brought il out. Another
fact that in itself would admit the evidence
was that Dorsey was the defendant, and his
acts could be shown. The evidence was not
offered to contradict. but TO strengthen and
| corroborate other evidence tending to show
the consciousness of guilt and attempt to
screen himself Dorsey from prosecution.
The examination then proceeded.
Mr.. Merrick renewed his demand upon
the defense for the production of the books
(Dorsey's journal and ledger
Mr.. Ingersoll offered to assist the witness
by supplying him with books.
The Court said it did not see how they
could be forced to produce them.
| Mr.. Merrick insisted upon their produc-
ton, and then proceeded to prove the con-
tents. The witness said there were four
entries against William Smith. the first of
$4,000, the second of $780, the third of
So 500 and the fourth of S. 600. Mr.. Merrick
called upon the defense to produce
the stub check book. Again Mr..
| Ingersoll declined. and arged that the Court
could not compel the production ofbooks nor
could it allow the proof of thier contents.
| The Court finally sustained the position
taken by the prosecution.
| Witness said he took the check books and
| went over the stubs. That was the next day
after the interview between Dorsey and
Brady. Those marked "maip'-four or five,
perhaps-he summed up and charged on his
books "Wm. Smith," The checks footed up
either $4,000, $500 or s., 600, Merrick went
through the affidavit in detail, com batted at
every step by objections from defense, and
finally he exclaimed, For Gods sake, stop
YOUR grumbling and let the facts come out"
| Laughter. Recurring to his conversation
| with Dorsey the witness said that Dorsey
said to him (Reredelll, IF you will do this
If you will stand up for me
in this matter, I'll make it
all right with you" Witness replied that
money could not buy them it would not be
any consideration at all. Merick took up
the popers connected with the route from
Kearney TO Kent and presented them in
order to witness. He testified regarding the
handwriting, showing that the defendants
| signed the names of one another.