The Portland daily press., 1883-04-05
THE STAR ROUTES.
Vale, Another of the Defendants, on the
Witness Stand.

Vale, Another of the Defendants, on the
Witness Stand.
WASHINGTON, April 4.-Haryey N. Vaiie,
one OF the defendants, was called TO the wit
ness stand by tho defence in the star route
trial this morning He was examined BY
Henkle. The witness described at some
length his early relations with the other de-
PENDANTS. With Brady he had never been in
innate and never had any agreement or un-
derstanding that Brady should extend fayors
70 him, either for money or for any considera-
tion whatever. In explanation OF his connec-
tion with tho routes that form the basis OF the
case the witness said that IN July, 1878, Miner
came 70 him In great trouble aud requested
advice in regard TO putting service upon his
routes. Miner offered to give the witness all
the contracts he owned and had in charge. He
had powers of attorney from Peck and John
Dorsey. There were over 100 routes. The
witness afterwards reconsidered this action
and entered into business.
de was asked TO give the reasons which led
70 the reconsideration.
The court remarked that Vaile's connection
with the concern was lot set up as an offence,
that had consisted Ia corruptly procuring expe-
ditIon and increased service
The witness was induced to consider bis
action and assume an interest in business from
desire 70 halp Miner. who seemed TO be in
great trouble. Before he came in the witres i
went to Brady at Miners request and sought
an extension OF time allowed for putting on
service. Brady consented to grant an extern
sion but no consideration was given for this
action.
Witness signed a contract in October. 1873
II was dated back from no sinister motive, but
10 cut off certain postal drafts that were out
standing. Witness learned from Miner OF the
existence Of the drafts. They had been hy-
pothecated at the German American National
Bank for money. Witness failed to make
terms with the bank and filed sub-contractE on
the routes. This led to trouble between Sena-
tor Dorsey and himself, the Senator charging
that he had been unfairly treated inasmuch
as his security lad bean impaired.
Henkle offered TO show that Dorsey and
vale had rumpus in the bank and that
the former struck his name from the agree
ment. bnt tho court refused to go into details.
Witness placed the date of the quarrel as
December LIST. Their next meeting was upon
March 9th or 9th, 1879, at Dorsey's house
They had quarrel and ended by dividing up
the routes A valuation was made OF routes
and straws drawn for their possession, witness
taking 40 per cent, Miner 80 per cent, and s.
W. Dorsey so per cent.
Henkle-Where did Brady come in
Answer know nothing about Brady.
Continuing, he said that he went to DoIsey's
houss TO effect a separation, for nothing on
earth would have made him GO on with Dor
sey. After the April following witness did
not see Dorsey until June, 1881. Subsequent-
ly witness consolidated his interests with
Miners. As to bis feelings toward Dorsey
at that time witness never disliked a man 30
much in his life as he did him. They were
now friendly because of common persecution.
Zone touch of nature makes the whole
world kim interjected Ingersoll.
Witness denied positively the whole conyer-
sation at the National Hotel, as described by
Rerdell, in which the latter was offered some
mail service and its enormous profits pointed
out. Witness said he would have been per-
fectly willing TO have withdrawn all his money
and drawn out Of the business II he could have
done 80 when Rerdell went west, january a,
1879. He went oD his own behalf, having
been given Bnb-contract by Miner for on
entire term upon the White River-RawlIns
route. Miner had conditional contract with
Rerdell, by which the latter was to be paid
$1,000 for services in looking after certain
routes Witness had no interest in the
White River ronte after Rerdell took 1t. On
one occasion had paid Sub-Contractor Perkins
$500 on account Of that route. Witness de-
MED the truth OF Rerdell's statement that he
had induced Brady to accept the affidavit OF
Sub-Contractor Perkins as the basis for expe.
dition upon the White River route After
Dorsey's refusal TO furnish an affidavit he said
the route belonged to Rerdell and witness had
enough business of his own TO occupy his at.
tention. All Rerdell's statements upon this
subject we're specifically denied. Witness had
never prepared an affidavit upon any OF Their
routes. Miner managed all OF that. also the
correspondence with the exception Of Jen.
Dings letter. Did not know who filed the
petitions upon the ermiion-Sioux Falls
route. Had very indistinct recollection ol
facts in connection with this route Those
routes we're made the subject Of detailed In.
vestigation Witness did not know until this
trial that the mail had not been carried ac
cording to advertisement upon the Kearney
Kent route.
Henkle offered to prove that the Bismarck
Tongue River route was losing Investment
Tor the contractor instead OF n gigantic fraud
upon the government.
After some debate the offer was accepted
and the witness said that they had spent $50
COO on that route over and above receipts.
On cross-examination, Mr.. Bliss asked wher
S.W. Dorsey assumed an interest In the routes
witness answered, "Not until some time In
March, after our division"
Taking up the plea to Rerdel's suit Mr.
Bliss demanded an explation OF the statement
that Rerdell had been employed by Vaile, Min
or and $. w. Dorsey.
Witness went into another long explanation
lie admitted that the plea 10 Rerdell's suit
contained q little careless wording, but he be
leved such errors were common with lawyers
witness said he knew very little about the
roates when he signihed to Brady his intention
of taking them up. AT the mail letting o.
1873 witness had bid on over q thousand routes
He bid In the name Of his cousin, Spraque, sc
that be (witness) could act as 6ondsman
Sprague had n 0 property.
Ole was only fgure-head, dummy
wasn't he?
Witness denied this, but admitted that h,
(Sprague) was not expected TO have any voic,
In the business Witness got very few con
tracts as a result of that letting.
Adjourned.