Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-27
DORSEY'S DENIAL.
The Ex-senator at Last Put on the
Witness Stand in the Star.
Route Trial.
He Denies that He Ever Entered into
Any Agreement to Defraud the
Government.

NASHISGTON, march Zb.- w hen the Grim
inal Court assembled this morning Mr.. H.
gersoH began redirect examination OF the
witness kellogg. AT the conclusion of Kel-
logg's testimony, the Hon. Herace F. Page,
OF California, and one or two other witassses
were examined, but their testimony de-
Veioped nothing Of any general interest.
EX SENATOR DORSEY.
was then called 10 the stand, and the clerk
was about 10 administer the usual oath.
when herrick arose and asked permission
from the Court to question the witness re-
gsrdiDg his belief in its binding force. His
request wss granted, and Merrick injured
II the witness regarded the oath as binding
upon hig conscience.
He (dercely shaking his finger at The gen.
tleman) answered that the oath was as bind
ing npon him as upon dzTrirk. He re-
garced 1t as binding upon his Coincidence
Merrick asked if in taking the oath the
witness had in mind the effect Of failure to
observe it upon his future state of reward
and punishment.
instantly Mr.. Iugersoll was upon his feet.
81 object. SIT down" said he to Dorsey. He
then proceeded to deliver an impassioned
address. He objected to the perpetration of
this monstrosity of the dark ages. The
country had passed that point. In nesrly
every State, in every civilized State, man was
allowed TO testify, whether he believed
IN future punishment and personal God or
not. There was one defendant in this case
that the government had tsunted for year
for not taking the stand, and when
he came here they sought to prevent
his testimony, because he did not be-
lieve in the Jehovah. He admitted
that in many States gentleman could
not testify; that Humboldt (who knows
more than all the State) would not have
been allowed to testify if his own brother
had been murdered before his ewes. So
with Tyndall and with Huxley. But in
those States, said Iugersoll with extreme bit
terness, man who beat his wife could go
upon the stand and testify. He did not be-
lieye that his honor would allow such a
procedure. The last time he had seen it
tried was before Judge Dfummoud, at
Chicago, and the Judge said the examination
concerned matters of this world. Tne wit
ness Was TO testify about what he knew here.
Argument was continued at some length,
and it was finally decided by Judge WylIe
that he should take the oath, or affirm, the
judge saying that he would not go into the
theological question at issue, but be governed
by the law.
Mr.. Merrick inquired the necessity for
swearing the witness under this view, and
the Court replied, $50 that he may be pun
ished for perjury if he does not tell the truth"
Merriek acknowledged that the answer wss
sufficient Hs then went on TO disavow any
iHtention of preventing the witness from tes-
tlfyiug; the government was desirous that
he should testify.
Tke Court-Admini.ter the oath.
Ingersoll-He may swear or affirm.
The Witness-Oh, | had just as soon swear
The oath was then administered, and
Ingersoll began the examination. The wit
ness was visibly agItated, and in instances
scarcely waited for the conclusion of the
question before answering. He testified as
follows: He became acquainted with Miner
in 1866 or 1867 iu-2r-Sagsks, o. Had known
Peck for~ nIteen yearsNat the time Of his
death, 1t was a business relation at first,
Peck being secretary and witness treasurer of
q railroad company. Peck subsequently,
married a sister of witnesses wife and died
in August, 1881. He first cav Vaile in the
spring OF 1873, but did not make his ac-
qusintsnce at that time. John w. Dorsey
was his brother. He knew Boone in 1874,
while he was 4 postoffice clerk. He 6rsl
met Brady at the Cincinnati Convention in
1876, and John H. Watts in New Mexico in
1876 or 1877.
Question-"Did you ever enter into an
agreement with Brady, john Dorsey, Vaile,
Miner, or any or either of them, to defraud
the government, by bidding for mail con-
tractsP The witness (passionately): 81
never entered int any such agreement with
nybody at any place or at any timen
Ques.-"Did you ever conspire with them
to defraud the government Ars.-"I never
! entered into conspiracy with them of any
| kind"
Ques.-"Did you ever pay money to Gen
| Brady 10 influence his official actions?n Th,
| (a~ Ia1l lul l.
tion with Gen. Brady 10 the extent of 81 il
my life. never paid him cent or prom
issd to pay him cent for any possible pur
pose"
Ques.-"Did you ever pay Mr.. Tyner moEe
or stock TO influence his official actions Will
he was First Assistant master. General?
Ans.-"No."
Objection was m ade, and the question an
answer were struck out.
Witness made ths same snswer in regar
to Turner, which was also stricken out.
Ingsrsoll cautioned the witness not to al
swer befor. the other side b sd an opportunit
to object. Questions touching the paymer
of money or stock To McGrew and Lille
were excluded.
Ques.-"Did you ever give any direction
Reerdeli, either verbally or in writing,
open an account with William Smith
Ans.-"Never in the world"
Ques.-"Or with Samuel Jones'" ARs.-
"Never"
Ques.-"Or with John 81. Mitchell.
Aps.-"No"
Ques.-"Did you ever state 10 Reerdell {
anybody that VIM. Smith s.1od for Brady
-Aus.-"In the first place there was no Smit
on my books, and in the second place,
l never saw it."
The prosecution wished TO exclude th
answer, but the Court allowed it to stand.
Ques.-"When did you first hear that an
body alleged that you had an account wi
q Smith and Jones?" Ans-"It never came
: my knowledge until after ReerdelPs stat
ment to james and MscVeagh; that was Il
first that ! ever heard of the books, al
Rserdell was the fret one 10 tell us of
i Gtstsments."
s The court adjourned al fhi. mint