Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-22
THE STIR ROUTE TRr4L.

The revelations of Reerdel, one of the
indicted star route conspirators, leave but
little doubt of the guilt of those accused.
1t appears conclusively that the conspiracy
embraced not only the persons under in
dictment, but several members of congress
who received compensation from the mail
account either for their votes or their
silence. The conspiracy was comprehen-
sive in its character, embracing almost
every route in the country. After the con-
tracts had been procured at low rates by
the conspirators, the service was increased
aud expedited by the conniyance of Assist
ant Postmaster General Brady, the rates
fixed being sufficient not only
to cover the losses that would
have accrued if the service was performed
under the terms of the original contract,
but to give the parties in interest hand
some profit, aggregating among the mil
lions. It does not appear that all the in
crease of service obtained was unnecessary,
or that all the amounts allowed the con-
tractors were exorbitant, but the rule was
to expedite the routes unnecessarily and to
rob the government as far as it was posi-
bic.
There should be but little longer delay
in the conclusion of the case. Although
Reerdel has proved himself to be scoun-
drel of the first water, and admits having
periured himself repeatedly, there is no
good reason to doubt the veracity of his
detailed statement of the transactions of
the conspirators, as it is well correlated
by other evidence. The public will not
care what becomes of the
chief witness. His treachery towards
his associates in crime will
prob ably insure him immunity from i'm
prisonment, but he has rendered himself
beneath contempt, and whether he profits
or otherwise is of no public concern.
1t is about time, however, that this long
drawn out trial had come to close. The
depredations of the conspirators have cost
the government millions, but it looks as if
the cost of placing them behind prison
bars would be far greater. 1t is estimated
that the expenses of the trial thus far have
been more than half a million dollars.
Bliss receives hundred dollars day for
his services about hundred times more
than they are worth-and the associate
counsel, four in number, receive
from fifty to seventy-five dollars day.
Witnesses, stenographers and jurymen
have to be paid, and there are other ex-
penses too numerous to mention, which
the government has TO meet. The cost to
the defendants is but little less. Both of
the Dorseys have been ruined financially,
and serious inroad has been made into
the colossal fortune of Brady by the legal
fees inseparable from such an action, The
public, besides, is weary of the entire bust
ness. Every one desires that justice shall
be melted out to the conspirators, but
justice, in order to be effective,
should be speedy. It is to be
hoped that the government counsel
will hurry the matter to a conclusion if
they are not too much interested in re-
tanning the fat fees they are now receiv-
ing. They should understand that there is
a strong suspicion abroad that this is one
cause of the protracted trial-that the
counsel deliberately prolong the proceed
ings that they may continue to draw their
fees from the public treasury and that
they are as shameless public robbers,
though in less degree, as those whom they I
are seeking to cast into the penitentiary.