Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-03-08

delS Testimony Impeached-Dorsey In
sdites Card Relieving Bedford of ii Seri-
Gus Charge.
WASHINGTON, March THE star route
trial was resumed this afternoon and Mr.
Ingersou began the case for the defense
by calling Hon. j. B. Belford, of Colorado,
to the witness stand. He said he had rep
resented the state in congress since it had
been admitted to the Union, had travelled
over nearly the whole of the state and was
acquainted with its growth and develop
ment. The witness identified his signature
to petition upon one of the Colorado
routes. Mr.. Ingerson was about to show
that Belferd had frequently called at the
postofice department and sought to have
the mail facilities of his state increased. in
other words, that the influence came from
Colorado.
Mr.. Merrick objected because the pro-
posedinquiry applied to the whole state
instead of to single route. If they went
into this evidence the prosecution would
call upon Mr.. Hill to prove that he had
been solicited by Bedford to cooperate
with him in securing the increased mail
service and that he had declined.
Mr.. Ingersoll insisted that it was proper
to show upon what representation and in
iuence the increase had been made. The
criminal law provided that if any lawful
justification could be shown for an alleged
criminal action it must be assumed to be
motive that led to the action. They would
show that witness called frequently at the
department and urged and demanded an
increase of mail facilities.
The court said it would allow the defense
to show that the witness had used his influ-
ence with the department, but it would not
go into any question of the general policy
of the department. The examination was
then resumed.
Witness-He had called many times,
possibly one hundred times, at the post
Office department, to urge upon the second
assistant postmaster general a muItiplica-
ton of the mail service. From the mag
nitude of his business he could not remem-
| Der visit in connection with any partic-
ular
| The witness was asked to state what he
had said to Brady regarding the needs of
Colorado. The prosecution objected that
this was touching on the policy of the de-
partment.
The court said it was not the policy buI
the needs of the country now proposed to
be shown.
Witness then said he had impressed up.
on Brady the rapid growth and needs OF
the state. He instanced the Silvertor
route through San Juan county and Lead
vile. In the town several years ago he
had found it impossible to walk down the
street The mail was com prised of 12C
letters. There we're 10000 or $4,000 people
there now. There was Fl. Collins. HI
was there when six houses composed the
town. When he was there the other da1
he could hardly find his way through the
town.
Il object" said Merrick. 'sIs that compe
tent, your honor. He is saying that h
told Brady that, when it only happened
the other day.
The objection was sustained, but whe1
the court decided to allow the witness Il
prove the growth of the country, the wit
ness went on to instance many fourishing
towns and cities in Colorado that haC
sprung up within the past few years.
Merrick objected because of the TINT
referred to, but the court held it wa:
proper evidence, for it might go to show
that Brady foresaw the future develop
ments of the country.
Witness continuing, Saddle came here
to look after the interests of his constitu
ents, to carry out their requests, and il
they asked him to do the same thing again
he would.
Ingersoll-Did you ever receive money
Or check for money from Senator Dor
sey or any of these defendants, in connec
ton with the mail business?
Mr.. Merrick-I object.
The court, promptly-The objection i:
sustained.
Mr.. Ingersoll desired to be heard on the
subject.
Mr.. MerTick reminded the court that the
entire matter inadvertently referred to BY
witness Reerdel had been stricken out o.
the record.
Mr.. Carpenter-Out of the record bu
not out of the press.
Mr.. Ingersoll called the attention of the
court to what Reerdsl had said about the
stables of the checks marked mail" There
were four of them. He had said, one o.
them to Smith, one to James, one to James
B. Bedford and one to anybody else ItdiC
not matter to whom now, and if one o.
them was marked
THOS. J. BRADY,
it would be material point. Reerdel haC
said that he saw this check. That wa:
equally material. If Reerdel had sworr
that be heard conversation between Dor
sey and Brady at which Bedford was pres
ent, would they not be allowed to show
that Belford was present. That story wa:
false. He had said that Bedford got
check. If they could say that that wa:
false, would it not tend to prove that hir
statement about other checks was false. Il
was certainly material. He wanted to
show that no such check had been received
by Bedford, and that Resrdel had sworr
falsely when he had SAID
lit. There was another view OF thi.
matter. In the present state
of the public mind any witness, however
low, could touch and smirch and stain tho
reputation of any man, no matter if ht