The Portland daily press., 1883-02-22
THE STAR ROUTES.
Rerdell Cross Examined by Col.
Ingersoll.
A Charge Against Congressman BeIfOrd
Promptly Denied.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21--The criminal court
resumed the hearing of the star route trial this
forenoon. The court refused to admit in eyi-
dence the muster roll offered yesterday
Rerdell again took the stand and said Dor
sey's instructions regarding the filing in of the
blanks or papers were specific in every case
except those on the Toqueville-Adairville
route,
A number of papers were then identified
The witness had conversation with Miner
in 1878, after a return from the West, in which
he had arranged with Moore to look out for his
routes.
George Haycock, formerly postmaster at Pine
Bluffs Arkansas, testified TO receiving a bun
die Of blank proposals from Dorsey, with a re-
quest that they be certified.
After some preliminary discussion, Ingersoll
began the crosS-examinOtion of Rerdell He
denied that he had received money or consid
erallon OF any kind for making his affidavit. :
Witness identified the paper presented TO
him by Mr.. Ingersoll as being in lis handwrit-
ing except the words Eek and others.' He
had signed and sworn to it.
Mr.. lngoraoll ti1cn read the papo1 in cri y
dence. II was an affidavit by Rerdell, dated
July 13, 1882, which recites in substance that
all the stories told of unlawful and improp-
er operations on the part of Dorsey and Bosler
were malicious fabrications, and this statement
was voluntarily to vindicale them.
Witness acknowledged that the affidavit was
false in every essential statement. 1t was true
wherein it stated he had never seen Dorsey or
Boser pay Brady for remission.
After recess witness said when he made hat
affidavit he did not think he bad done a
legal wrong in fixing up Vetitions. He
knew the statement was substantially untrue.
1t did not follow because he did not think
it legally wrong. to fix up petitions that
he regarded it legally right
Mr.. Ingersoll proceeded to go through the
affidavit by piecemeal. He read ''the verbal
and written directions received from each and
both OF them in the conduct of business never
by inference or otherwise implied wrong doing
on their part OF nine"
Witness acknowledged this was false. At
this time he entertained the inference regard
ing entries to Smiths account and to the ac-
count of "Sam Jones'"
ANY other transaction" inquired Mr.. In
gersoll.
Ans.-Yes, sir; there was an entry to the
account of Jarvis b. Belford, member of Con-
gress.
MIR. Ingersoll-How much?
Ans.-It was from his check book, an entry
of $4,000 to the credit of Belford. II was to be
charged to mail accounts. That was in the
summer of 1879. The check was drawn ON the
bank of Middleton & Co. Witness did not
recollect to whose order it was drawn.
Mr.. Ingersoll asked what was written on the
stub.
Mr: Merrick objected unless the defence pro-
duced the books.
An argument followed at some length. The
court finally decided the defence might cross
examine upon the point, but they could not af-
terwards attempt to contradicJ witness by pro-
ducing the paper. Further statements fol-
lowed
Mr., Ingersoll gave notice that he would 60
into the subject later on. He intended to re-
lieve Mr.. Belford from any injurious inference
that might be drawn.
The court regarded the subject entirely out
side of the case and directed that all reference
to IL be stricken out.
Mr. Ingersoll continued to read passages
from the affidavit. witness steadfastly denying
their truthfulness until court adjourned
A Denial From Congressman Belford
Congressman Belford upon being questioned
this evening said i'll most emphatic manner,
Il never had any dealings of financial char
acter, public or private, with Senator Dorsey
in my life to the amount of a single cent. If
any check was drawn in my name L never saw
it and never heard Of it until my attention was
called TO the statement in the Star this even
ing. II the check was drawn in my name it
must have been presented by and paid to some
other party if paid at all. This evening 1 went
to Col Ingersoll's house for the purpose of re-
guessing him to call me to the stand and give
me an opportunity to declare under oath that
rne evidence given today was false in every
particular, IN SO far as it seeks to involve me in
the Star ronte business. propose that this
opportunity shall be given me before the trial
loses.