Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-06-18
WASHINGTON, ID. c., June II, 1888.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., June II, 1855
To the Editor of the KenneJee Journal:
The one absorbing topic here just now is
the verdict in the Star-route case. Although
this rendering was surprise to very many,
it was not to those who have keenly inspected
the case during the trial. twas unfortunate
for the government that it did not prosecute
these offenders separately. and on the sim
pier indictments of theft, peculation or fraud.
In that case am fully persuaded different
verdict would have been rendered. But in
any case it is difficult task to prove a con-
spiracy, and especially so in this case, where
Brady. "a an official of the government had
covered his intentions and his subsequent acts
under the color and form of legality. The
carelessness, and, in many instances | fear,
the interestedness Of members of Congress
have done rs much, if not more, to bring
about the present result than the sympathy
for, or the money OF the defence. The YER
dict of the jury is. no doubt honestly given.
and the rendering hinged on this question of
conspiracy. Neither party is likely to feel
especially pleased over the result. The pros
ecutiou are of course very much disappointed
bat are sustained by the fact that they have
done all which could be done nnder difficult
and battling circumstances, to bring thieves
to justice, while those who have been ac-
quilted pro fo,md, know in their hearts that
honest public opinion has long ago convicted
them and will continue to adjudge them
guilty of a violation of the trust put in them
by the government. The ending of this trial
will be a great blessing to the judge and jury
who have sat so long and patiently listening
to testimony so volumnous conflicting and
sometimes so exceedingly dull and prosy. 1t
will also leave the capital without any matter
hate .f ,,xtnr r,,l,
lawyers will now betake themselves to the
seaside or to mountain resorts. and feeling
that, whoever is hurt, il is not themselves.
The trials have cost the government at least
$1,000, 900, and the defendants nearly half as
much.
The weather, up to a very recent date. has
been SO cool, that there has been no great
exodus from the capital. The city itself is so
delightful and airy that many seem to prefer
it to going away, except, perhaps, during the
latter part of the summer. The heights and
suburban regions around the city are grad
ually coming into favor as resorts for those
who wish to escape the heat of the season,
and yet dread the packed rooms of seaside
or mountain hotel. Mrs. Southworth, the
authorizes, always comes here in summer
from New York City, to enjoy the breezes of
Georgetown heights where she has cottage.
Washingtonians, also, are reaping the ad-
vantsges of a steamboat competition between
here and Fortress Monroe and Norfolk. One
can 60 on one line for $3.50 the round trip.
and on the other for Sl.Oo. Both lines have
good boats and good passenger aecommoda-
tons, so that one can leave here on Saturday
evening, take bath and dinner at Fortress
Monroe on Saturday, aud return on
Monday morning to business The
sail 10 delightful, aud the scenery quite va
ried and interesting; the sea bath refreshing
and invigorating. One of the finest hotels
in the country is at Fortress Monroe, and an
other very fine one has just been completed
at Newport News. IL miles away. Norfolk,
II miles the other way, is most too hot for
comfort, but car ride of nine miles takes
you to Ocean View a fine watering place out
looking Chesapeake bay and the ocean, and
having one Of the smoothest, safest and best
beeches to be found anywhere on the coast,
and several hotels already.
Much interest is felt regarding the result,
of the fall election in Ohio. No one can
seem to positively predict the outcome owing
to the complicated questions growing oat of
the temperance issue. The prohibitionists
acted in very bad faith last year in putting up
aud voting for a candidate of their own, after
spurring up the republicans to the point of
making that issue their own. Should they
do 90 this year on the technical ground that
the taxation of liquor is contrary to
temperance principles. they may do as much
harm ~ before. 1t is hoped that they will
be sensible enough to see that free liquor
would injure their cause much more than
taxed liquor. The campaign will narrow
itself to those limits necessarily. E.J.B.