National Republican., 1883-03-08
BELFORD'S BLUNDER.
In His Anxiety to Make a Statement He
0ffends the Court
And Gets Fined an Even Hundred
Dollars for Contempt,
But He Gets in His Denial and Eternal Sunshine !"
Once More "Rests Upon His Head"
Secretary Teller on the stand in the Star
Route Trlnl--sCencs In Court.

The star route trial was the scene Of some
excitement and interest yesterday. The OK
animation of witnesses for the defense was
begun, and Hon. James u. Bcliord wagon the
stand the greater part of the day. The
spectators who crowded into the narrow
quarters allotted to the outside world were for
once repaid for their trouble, and compensated
for the wear and tear of lung tissue conse-
qt,fnt upon the breathing of the poisonous
air of n villainously ventilated court room.
Judge Wylic was in II better humor than
usual and talked back" to the attorneys
with sarcastic playfulncss, his observations
sounding quito cheerful TO the physical ear,
though they do not read that way in cold type.
The crowd that was packed into the public
standing ground was very much the same
crowd, Judging from appearances, that has
been there every day since the trial began.
1t was mixed in color, but of one grade of
sccdincss and expression of countcnancc.
White and black, the spectators all wore the
same look of stupid yet at the same time in
tense ignorance they have worn from the
beginning, dovouring every scrap of
evidence with greedy relish, as though their
lives depended upon IT, You see them in the
crossroads settlements way back, sitting on
boxes and logs splitting ut flies and arguing
the livclong day with all the animation
they are capable Of on point of differ
cnCc that has arisen touching the
color of II mule that passed the store last
year. few strangers, visitors in the city,
occasionally wedge in and illuminate the
face of the crowd for n moment. The Judge,
the counsel, and the jury look tired and list
less, and rs for the defendants they are sell
dom therc-at least not more than one or two
of them at the same time. They seem to have
In tpin al nh hng
on for three months, with u promise of two
months more of the same sort of entertain
ment.
The proceedings yesterday were of unusual
interest. Mr. BelfOrd told of the marvcls of
Colorado in language that would adorn the
pages of railway prospectus beautifully and
with wealth and freedom of gesture which
pen is pOwcrlcss to describe lie was put on
the stand to contradict intormer Rordcll but
the court wouldn't let him get that
part of his speech in, whcrcat the
blonde from the Rockies waxed nervous
and wroth. Rerdcll's charge that he (Icl-
ford) had been paid $1,000 for his influence in
eSpeditiug mail routes had gone out to the
country, and the witness felt that his denial
ought to 20 out through the same channel.
Col. Ingcrsoll made II gallant fight for him,
but the court was "agin" him, and the wit
ness was compelled to adopt extraordinary
measures. When he stepped from the wit
ness stand he paused before the jury and,
~aising his hand, exclaimed with the
greatest emphasis, I" / state before the living
God that | never saw such u check" The
effect was electrical. The counsel for the
prosecution objected, and the court with
some display of anger imposed fine of 500
on Mr.. Il. for contempt Of court.
The scene was exciting, but the
congressman from the hills had
scored point. The 800 paid for it, OF
that Col. lngcrsoll paid for him, was quite
reasonable under the circumstances. This
was the only incident of dramatic interest
during the day, but there was enough of this
TO set the tongues wagging and keep them
going.
In the morning Mr.. Ingersoll began the
case for the defense by calling Representa-
tive James II. BcliOrd, of Colorado, to the
witness stand. lie said he had represented
the state in congress since it had been adj
mittcd to the union had travelled over nearly
the whole OF the state, and was acquainted
with its growth and development.
The witness identified his signature to q
petition upon one of the Colorado routes. Mr.
lngcsOll was about TO show that Mr.. Bellord
had frequently called at the Postoflice depart.
mvnt and sought TO have the mail facilities Oi
his state increased in other words that the
influence came from Colorado. Mr.. Mcrrick
objected because the proposed inquiry applied
W NllG NllOIt Slult lllSltilu OF u Single route
If they went into this evidence the prosccu,
tOn would call upon Mr.. Hill to prove that
hc had been solicited by Mr.. Beliord to CO.
operate with him in securing increased mai
sCrVicea and that he had declined. Mr. IngcrsOl
insisted that it was proper to show upon what
representations and influence the increase had
been made. The criminal law provided that
If any lawful justification could be shown foi
an alleged criminal action it must be assumed
TO be the motive that led to the action. They
would show that the witness called frequently
mt 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 nhu
encc with the department. but it would not 20
into amy question OF the general policy Of the
department.
A missing letter connected with the Silver,
tOn-pHrott City route led to some contention
among the counsel The defense had called
for II by subpoena, which had not been re,
turned.
Mr., Davidge declared that it was question
involving the authority of the court, aud in
sisted upon the production of the paper. Tht
prosecution promised to produce the paper
and the matter was dropped. The eXalnina
tion was then resumed.
The witness said that he had called MANY
times lpossibly 100 tines at the PostOtlice dc
partmen, to urge upon the second assstan
postmaster general u multiplication of thI
mail service from the magnitude of his busi
ness, he could not remember Il visit in con
nccliun with amy particular route. The wit
moss was asked to state what he had said I,
Brady regarding the needs of Colorado
The prosecution objected that this wa
touching upon the policy of the department
The court said it was not the policy, bu
the needs of the country that il was now pro
posed TO be shown. Tho witness then sale
he had impressed upon Brady the rapi(
growth and needs of the state. lie instancet
the SivcrtOu route through the SAN Juai
county, and l.cadvillc. In this town, sevcla
years ago, he had found it impossible to wall
down tho street.-the mail comprised l2O let
Ters-thure were forty or fifty thousand peo
pie there now. There was Fort Collins
he was there when six houses composed th
tOwll-when he was there the other day h
could hardly find his way through the town
81 object" said Mr.. Merrck. "Is tina
competent, your honor? lie is saying tina
he told Brady that, when it only happene
the other day"
The objection was sustained, but the couT
decided to allow the witness To prove tn
growth of the country. The witness the
went on to instance many tlourishing town
and cities in Colorado that had sprung IL
within the past few years. %
Mr.. Merrick objected because of the tim
referred to, but the court held that it wa
proper evidence, for it might 90 to show tina
Brady foresaw the future developments of tn
country.
Tho witness continuing said that he cam
here 10 look after the interests of his cOnsti
ucnts to carry out their requests, and if the
asked him to do the same thing again h
would,
Mr. Inpersoll Did Won over receive money or