The Portland daily press., 1883-04-10
THE STAR ROUTES.

AanAs stand. ------ -----------------
wxsfnSGroS, April 9.-The Star route trial
was resumed iu the Criminal Court this morn
ing. Juror Hughes (colored) rising In his
place, denied the published statements that be
has been suffering from cancer.
John II. Miner, defendant, was then called
70 the stand and examined by Henkle. He
testified he had been associated with S. w.
Dorsey In business enterprises In 1877. Wit
ness met Peck and they concluded TO take q
fly" at the mail contract business.
Witness told how he had met Boone, John
Dorsey and other contractors and Of the diff
cnlties experienced In securing bondsmen, his
statements kagreeing with other evidence
already given for defence. He was not allowed
TO say whether or not be understood that S. W.
Dorsey was interested in the business while in
the Senate. Miner, Peck * Co. meant Peck,
and witness said there was no company so far
as he knew. "John W. Dorsey & Co." meant
John Dorsey and Boone. They secured one
hundred and twenty odd contracts at the let
ting in 1878. Witness gave details lof Vaile's
taking the Oregon routes after they had failed
with them. He said the trouble between S.
W. Dorsey and Vale and witness began about
Dec. LIST. Senator Dorsey had endorsed the
notes given TO the German American Bank as
security for certified checks when Vale filed
his sub-contraets.- These notes went TO protest
aud "grand row followed" between Vale
and Dorsey. both men were obstinate men"
said witness land fire few" The court refus-
ed to allow counsel TO go into the details OF the
quarrel.
The witness said the quarrel resulted in a
separation in the spring of 1879. vaile was
willing that the witness should go with Dorsey
or unite with him. The routes and debts were
divided and each party went on its own way
Vale and witness constituted the firm oi
Vaile, Miner 81 Co., and they had no interest
In the routes held by the others. Witness de-
MED In the most positive terms that he or any
Of the defendants 20 his knowledge had ever
conspired to defraud the government. Moore s
testimony was reviewed and contradicted in
many essential points. Upon only two occa.
sions In the winter Of 1S77-7S had witness con
suited with Senator Dorsey in regard to the
mail business. The first occasion was when
the bids were being prepared. Senator Dor
sey. as member of the railroad committee
in course OF his inspection OF the Northern Pa
cific Railroad had been impressed with glow
ing notions of the possibilities OF eastern Ore
gon and thonght bids uDon the routes in that
country had been worked too high. One o
them had been reduced $500 by his sugges
tiou and TIE contractors lost more than thai
sum from their reliance upon his judgment.
Witness had written in figures in the bidding
book Specific denials iwere made OF nearl,
everything OF importance included in Rerdell'i
testimony affecting witness. Witness said he
and Rerdell had quarreled on the avenue one
day in the spring of 1879 and witness told Rer
dell that II he ever spoke to him again ht
would hmash his nose all over his face" Has
nothing to do with him after that until the
trial began.
An extended examination was based upol
, the handwriting of different papers in evi
dence, witness continuing to contradict Rer
dell upon every material point
Without concluding the examination OF th
witness the court adjourned.