The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-15
A DAY IN WYLIE'S COURT,
concluded from First Page.

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informed them that very little additional
time would be allowed, but might have told
Turner to give them but very little time.
IF they don't do it (put on s%ervice) by the
contract time, hoist them.' That was his
usual curse. When he heard Vale had
come into the Miner combination, he granted
further time, because he knew Vaile's trust
worthiness and felt sure he would put on the
service. He had no personal conference with
Nalle on the subject, and did not remember
now he was first made aware of the fact that
Vale had assumed service. The witness knew
nothing of the manner of preparing the affi-
davits filed in the office; he never heard of
any changes being made in them, or of
their. being filled out in blank, until
the first trial. The petitions were
considered mainly because they were in
dorsed by members of Congress, whom he
believed represented the popular sentiment;
therefore be attached to them more import
ance thar the reports of special agents and
inspectors. He could not have known of any
changes in the petitions after their prepara-
ton.
The witness described the method pursued
by him in calculating allowances for expedi-
ton. He saw no better rule then, and knew
no better rule now. Colorado was booming
and wanted all the service it could get, and
deserved more than it got. The represent
atives were there every day. ~ generally had
a matinee every day in my Office" said
the witness; members of Congress and others
coming around to urge increase and expedi-
tons. Teller and Belford we're especially
persistent. I'VE thought we were doing a
good thing for the country" said General
Brady; I'VE thought so then, and l think so
now" The witness vigorously denied that
he had ever received any com Densation for
increasing service; his only interest was in
the extension of his Office in doing a good
thing for the country. He had tried to
| NV fA~DAk $500 -~--- - ~
policy" OF spending all the money appropri-
ated for inland transportation on railroad
towns, which policy gave the money to vast
monopolies.. He believed the star-route
service was entitled to a share, and
1T became of especial interest to
him.. The witness had a conversation
with Postmaster-general Key on the subject
of expedition and increase. When Mr.. Key
assumed charge somebody wanted Office, and
a vigorous fight was made on Brady, charges
OF extravaganza being made. Judge Key in
vestigated, and told the witness he had lone
right. Thereafter, when the witness was in
doubt about a route, he went to Judge Key,
and the latter was more liable than himself.
1t was one of the Judges hobbies to run a
mail to every county seat, and they did it.
They doubled up the service in the Southern
and Middle States.
The witness was not allowed to give the
Postmaster-generaTs reason for directing this
increase, for the court said that it might
then become a question of correctness and
reasoning.3
FINES AND DEDUCTIONS,
At the request of Mr.. Wilson the witness
described the method pursued in the Depart
ment in making fines and deductions. He
said that ordinarily it was a matter of form
with the Second Assistant acknowledgement
al, for the entire work was done by the in
spectlon division, and he would not be like
ly to know of a particular case unless his
attention was called to it. Speaking of re-
missions, he said that as a rule they took ex-
actly the same routine, and he knew moth
ing of them until they were presented for
signature. During an absence of the Post
master-general, he made a sweeping remis-
sion of fines of all contracts IN the yellow
fever district, and with the exception of that
period he never failed to impose fines. He
never received any money nor combined
with any of the defendants to defraud the
government of the United States.
Until they began to be prosecuted together
the witness did not like Senator Dorsey
much. They were neither friendly nor un-
friendly, but since that time he had come to
know and like him.. Speaking of the YER
million-Sioux Falls route, the witness said
delegate Kidder was very DESTROYS of having
a daily mail there. The contractors were
losing money on the service, and objected,
saying they would lose more under a daily
schedule. Therefore, the route was expe
dited to compensate the contractors. That
was one of the principles they worked under
at that time. subsequently, Judge Kidder re-
tired from Congress, and his sue
eessor, Mr.. Bennett, requested the
witness to increase another route
and discontinue the Vermillion route. The
witness declined to discontinue the service
| granted at Judge Kidder's request, but
promised to do what he could for the other
route. The witness believed General Miles
was the first person 70 urge the establish
ment of Tongue-river route. The matter of
expedition on that route was seriously con-
sidered by Judge Key and himself. 1t was
evident the contractors could not put on
service for the sum at which the route was
let. Three times a week service would not
have benefited them, for a star route should
run day and night to be a good
one. The contractors had probably taken
the service on a blind lead, taking the route
at so much a mile, and as the country was
wholly unknown, and as they had no data
upon which to base calculations, their bid
was too low TO pay them. The necessity for
the service was apparent, and the only way
to get it was to expedite the route. Twenty
five dollars a mile was only a fair rate of pay
for such service.
AT this point in the examination the court
adjourned.