National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1883-04-06
WHAT VALE DOESN'T KNOW.
The Cross Examination Demonstrates That His
Memory is as TreaCherOus as Dorseys.
He RecoIIects That He Was Very Careful
Not to Beat the Government,
And That Rerdells Statements are Not 10 be Believed
Under Any Consideration.
John w. Dorsey's Memory Is Found TO be
sharp Enough to Correct His Counsel.

In the star route trial yesterday morning
Mr.. Bliss resumed his ross-examination OF
the witness Vaile. Witness did not know
how often he had met Brady prior to his in
tercesson for Miner in July, 1873 Had some
mail contracts at that time, but could not say
that they were in his own name. Did not
know when or how he became acquainted
with Miner Had no special influence with
Brady, and did not know why Miner had re-
auested him (witness) to see Brady in his be-
half Brady was at perfect liberty to declare
Miner, Peck g. Co. failing contractors at any
moment in August, 1873.
Mr.. Bliss inquired of the witness why he
had not allowed the contractors to fail, mas
much as he held subcontraCts on their routes,
and would have made more money in that
way2
He answered that he had refused Miners
offer to give him the routes; he did not want
to cut Miner out. Knew that other persons
had advanced money on the routes, and he
(Vaile) not being over selfish, nor yet ambiti-
Gus to lose his money, resolved that if he
could help him (Miner) he would. Or course
he could have made great deal more money
by allowing them to fail. Very few con-
tractors were in Washington at that time and
witness could have made large sum of money
by conspirng with them in this way-agree
with salisbury to take the Oregon contracts,
with another contractor to take another sec
ton, and witness would take the third sec
ton. Then the figures could be put up to
almost any amount, with q certainty of get
ting the contracts. But witness did not wish
to take advantage of the government, but
rather to benefit it; and then, too, he did not
wish to crush Miner.
q. Could you not have helped the government
lust as much by contributing to the national
debt?
A. might have.
O. Who were the persons you referred to as hay-
4. Miner said that s, W. Dorsey had advanced
money that was In July.
O. You knew that he was a senator and so did
not find Miuer so lonely as you have described
A. Dorsey was away ana Miner was US Inucn
alone rs he could be.
Witness did not know that Miner could
bring Dorsey's influence to bear in his favor.
As it stood when he assumed his interest, the
service was Improbable. After the division
of the routes, witness offered Miner the privi-
lege of Joining him or S. w. Dorsey and he
consolidated his interest with that of the wit
ness. Did not believe that expedition had
been ordered upon the Fort McDcrmott-
Canon City route before the beginning Of
service.
MIR. Bliss inquired If the mail on the Tongue
river route could have been carried on the
original schedule for the contract price
(S2,350) without loss.
Objection was made but after some argu-
ment the question was allowed.
The witness was sure that he could not
have carried it at that price; had no knowl-
edge of the number of men and animals used
upon that route, nor the aggregate expense
OF the equipment of the route kept the run
ming expenses in his head, and had no books
showing receipts and expenditures. The
government and the banks kept their ac-
counts. Did not remember definitely when
q ,f rfx arutaa hu
by the department; it was some time in 1881.
There were quarters when the expenses of
the route exceeded $4,000 or $4,000, and
yet the pay was SO diminished by deductions
that they received only $1,000 in some quar-
ters: had not thrown up the route at once
because he could not say that it would prove
a loss until he had experimental with it UNI
der expedition.
Mr.. Bliss wished to know how a route
originally Improbable could be made to pay
by proportonate expedition. The witness
said that it could not, and If he had noticed
the terms of the contract when he assumed 1t
he would have thrown it up at once.
The Jennings letter was read, and the wit
ness, having admitted its authorship, was
questioned at some length upon the subject.
Witness admitted having made the affidavit
upon the Vermillion-Sioux Falls route, with
out having any positive knowledge of the
number of men and the stock required
Ought to have had $50 men and the same
number of horses upon the Tongue river
route, but never employed that force.
The service was described at length by the
witness. He said that 1t was often necessary
to send guards with the mail, and there were
no white men between the termini.
"Three hundred miles of wilderness" com
mented Mr.. Merrick.
The financial arrangements between the
witness and the other defendants were exam
ined into at great length, and the witness told
how the iu1abtplnpsg hnl bppn divided
Witness had negotiated with S. w. Dorsey
about buying the other men out in Dec, 1873
it was about the time when the trouble oc
CURED about the German American bank.
Mr.. Bliss referred to the fact brought out il
RerdelPs cross-examination that Rerdell haC
borrowed money from Vale.
The witness said that it was entirely
business transaction between Rerdell and
himself. Rerdell had informed him that 1t
contemplated going over to the government
before witness loaned him the money. Nevei
told Rerdell that he and Miner had been talk
ing over the advisability of going over to thu
government. Said the witness, "Rerdell tolC
me he was in communication with the gov
eminent. i asked him what he knew. A
first he said he did not know anything, bu
afterward he said, Il am full am full
asked him how he could go ON the stand afte
making so many conflicting statements HI
said the government did not want him to x
upon the stand they only wanted him t,
give them pointers" He positively denied
all of RerdelPs statements in regard to tina
conversation. The cross-examination wa
then closed. The redirect examination wa
confined to few unimportant question, anC
at its conclusion John w. Dorsey was called
Mr.. lngersoll conducted the examination
The witness pleaded i'll health aud was al
lowed to give his testimony in sitting pos
ture.
II has been noticeable circumstance tina
of the large number of witnesses called il
this trial great majority have been so dis
nbled through accident or illness that they
have been unable to stand up in the witnes
box.
Mr.. Dorsey detailed with particularly how
he came to be associated with Peck in tn
mail business.
The witness was about to relate converse
tion he had had with his brother, Stephel
W. Dorsey, about going into partnership witt
Peck.
Mr.. Bliss objected to this conversation, be
cause, so far as the contract between Peck AM
the witness was concerned, s. w, Dorsey wa
an outsider.
THAT is just the trouble" replied Mr.. In
gersoll, "yOu have tried to make him a
insider."
The court allowed the question, and tn
witness said that his brother had endeavore
to dissuade him from embarkng in the bus
ness. But he (witness) could not see how
would result in loss if the contracts were car
ried out, and finally went into the business,