The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-04
DORSEY'S EVIDENCECLOSED
Che Witness and Mr.. Merrick Fire n
Few Shots at Each Other.
Dorsey Energetically Fails to Remember
Anything About the Matters in Hand,
and Steps Down.

WASHINGTON, April 3-The cross-examina-
ton OF Dorsey continued to-day. He said
Bosler took away the book referred to yester
day to show to Bliss. An attempt was made
to show that the complexity of the accounts
necessitate the keeping of books by Rerdell,
but the witness strenuously maintained that
no such books had been kept, and that
agents and employees had been paid directly
upon the rendition of their accounts. Wit
ness did not know how long John Dorsey
had been employed He had been paid by
witness or by Rerdell. Did not know who
kept his accounts. 1t made no difference for
the money came ont of his (witness') pocket.
Witness explained that the check for SIS, 900
drawn in favor of Rerdell had been given to
the latter when witness was about to leave
the city, wanted money, and had no time to
go to the bank. Rerdell returned with
the money, and it was placed in witness
vaise.
Mr. Merrick asked if that was not an unu-
sual proceeding for a capitalist to draw a
rheck for SO large a sum to the order of his
clerk instead of drawing 1t to his own order
and indorsing it.
an unusual proceeding for capitalist, but
he did not happen to be one. He regarded
1t as the most natural thing in the world
He wanted the money and sent for it. John
Dorsey and Peck had been paid $40, 900 each.
Witness was quite certain Rerdell asked
him to write out the form of affidavit he
swore TO- 1t was intended chiefly to protect
Boser. for there was nothing in it concern
ing witness. In regard to the letters to Miss
Spingeman, which Rerdell said had been
used to threaten him while in Jail, witness
said he knew the woman and had recon-
mended her for position in the Treasury
Department in 1881; left the recommended
ton with Rerdell when he (witness) went
away, and Rerdell secured the appointment.
Rerdell wrote her number of very vicious
letters. which she copied and transmitted to
witness in New Mexico. Witness forwarded
them to Ingersoll. The letters had been
shown to Rerdell while he was in Jail only
for his Information. Some one had
suggested that they be published.
and he told Rerdell that and added
that he would destroy them to avoid any
possible trouble. He was not threatened at
all. Perhaps the letters had been shown
Rerdell before that occurrence. Witness
had seen General Garfield, in the presence of
Colonel Ingersoll, and had gone to New
York, on his way West with no intention OF
returning. Possibly Bosler had been re-
quested to see Rerdell. Such thing was
perfectly natural. Kerens told witness about
Rerdeii's visits to James and MacVeagh and
witness at first refused to believe it until he
came to Washington, in the latter part of
that week, and the statement was then
affirmed. He regarded the affidavit then
made by Rerdell as of importance, because
ne knew he would do anything on earth he
could do to iniure him (witness) by perjury,
forgery, or subornation of perjury.
Mr.. Merrick inquired why he had retained
such man in his employ
Witness answered that in the first place he
did not know that Rerdell was such man,
and second because nobody could protect
himself against treachery. When he left
New York, witness had no definite idea of
the means he should adopt for his protection;
did not believe he prepared any part of Rer
dell's Tetracting affidavit; could not remem-
Der whether or not he had interpolateG any
portion.
He was asked how that affidavit came to be
directed to the President of the United
States
The witness wished to confer with counsel,
but the court refused the request. He then
said the affidavit had been submitted to
Colonel Ingersoll. and by his direction adj
dressed to the President; believed Rerdell
wrote the words Mr.. President" Did not
recoliect that he (witnessl wrote the words
Probably the affidavit had been rewritten If
he (witness) had written it better English
would have been used.
Mr.. Merrick endeavored to secure an ad-
mission that witness had written or suggested
any portion of an affidavit but he steadily
refused to make any positive statement
about what had occurred four years ago. 1t
was possible he had suggested changes.
Mr. Merrick-Anything is possible.
The Witness-Even this trial
H., Oh .
while
A remark by Mr. Merrick led the witness
to say; "You seem to question my testi-
mony?'
Mr. Merrick-No I am trying to refresh
your bad recollection.
The Witness-Oh, my memory is first-rate
Mr.. Merrick-You say that after falling to
remember whether you directed that affida-
Wit to the President?
Answer-Mr. Merrck, give me brief you
used before the Supreme Court four years
ago, and let me question you about every
word and line OF it,
Mr. Merrick-I would remember every
word | used on such a serious matter.
The Witness-That would show that you
were a remarkable man.
He was asked if he had not sought to use
the affidavit TO secure the removal OF James
and cVeagh, charging them with burglary
and other heinous oflenses in seeking to pro-
cure his (Dorseys) books, and papers to be
stolen.
Witness rather defiantly declared he had
done everything he could to secure their re-
moval; that the charges in the affidayits were
true and that Governor Foster of Ohio. had
told the President substan TALLY the same
thing, and had said those officers ought to be
removed. Witnesses opinion was that if the
President had lived week longer he would
have followed that advice, He Indignantly
repealed the assumption that lac had sought
protection from James and MacVeagh asking
If counsel believed that pisrnire could hurt
an elephant.
Mr. Merrick-Which is the pismire and
which is the elephant
Answer will leave that to popular opin-