The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1883-03-15
THE STAR-ROUTE TRIAL.
of General Brady's
Testimony Yesterday.

Oh 1eheTaH hEHuy
Testimony Yesterday.
When THE CRITICS report of the Star.Route
trial closed yesterday, General Brady was
testifyiDg as to tho interview between him
and Senator Dorsey at Chamberlain's. The
He said that while they were there Mr.. Bosler
came in and joined them. They took q glass
or two OF wine together, and then he withdrew
leaving the other gentlemen there together.
He further testified that Rerdell never showed
him a book or told him about one divided
into columns. 1t was lie like the other part
Of his story.
Witness said thatthe advertisement OF 1877
was prepared by the route book clerko. Wit
ness was so new In the Office that he gave few
Instructions to the clerks. Witness was not
allowed TO state whether or not there was any
arrangement between himself and the defend
ants in regard to that advertisement.
Had known Vale for years; no was one OF
Of the Department; met Miner at the letting
in 1878. Never saw John Dorsey before the
first trial began. Had known stephen Dorsey
for some years.
Before Vale connected himself with the
other defendants In the mail business they
had failed to put service upon some Of their
routes. Did not now remember how he in
formed them that very little additional time
would be allowed: might have told Turner to
give them very little time; "lf they didn't do
1t (put on service) by the contract time,
Bust Them.''
That was his usual course. When he hoard
that Vale had come into the Miner combine
ton he granted further time, because he knew
Wales trustworthiness and felt sure that he
would put on the service. Had no personal
conference with Vale on the subject, and did
not remember how he was first made aware OF
the fact that Vale had assumed the service.
Witness knew nothing of the manner of pre-
pairing afidavlts filed In the office. Never
heard of any changes being made in them or
of their being filled out In blank until the
first trial. The petitions we're considered
mainly because they were Endorsed by men,
bers of Congress whom he believed repre-
scented the popular sentiment. Therefore he
attached to them more Importance than to the
reports OF special agents and inspectors.
Could not have known of any changes in petit
lions after their preparation.
In regard to making the affidavit for expedl-
tion Of the service he adopted the rule that he
Found in Force i'm the Department
when he went there. 1t was Incorporated In
the regulations, thought to be good, and he
knew OF no better rule to-day.
Colorado was booming and wanted all OF the
service II could get, and deserved more than
II got. The Representatives were there every
day. 81 generally had a matinee In my office
every day." said the witness, "members of
Congress and others coming around to urge
increase and expedition. Mr.. Teller and Mr..
Belford were especially persistent. We
country added General Brady. "We thought
so then and think so now"
n vigorous Denial.
Witness very vigorously denied that he had
ever received any compensation for increas-
ing the service. HIS only interest was in the
extension of his office, In doing q good thing
for the country. He had tried to counteract
what was known as the "Jewellian policy OF
spending all the money appropriated for In
land transportation on railway towns, which
policy gave the money to vast monopolies.
He believed that the Star-Route service was
entitled to n share, and It became Of especial
interest to him. Witness had had converse.
lions with Postmsster-General Key on the
subject OF expedition and increase. When
Key assumed charge somebody wanted office,
and vigorous fight was made on Brady,
charges of extravaganza being made. Judge
Key Investigated and told witness that he had
done right.
Thereafter, when witness was In doubt OF a
route, ho went to Judge Key, and the latter
was more liberal than himself.
1t was one of the Judges hobbies to run a
mail to every county seat, and they did 1t;
they doubled up the service In the Southern
and Middle States. The witness was not al.
lowed TO give the Postmaster Generate reason
for directing this increase, for the Court said
that II might then become a question OF the
correctness of the reasoning.
At the request OF Mr.. Wilson, the witness dc
scribed the method pursued IN the Depart
ment In making
Fines ana Deductions.
He said that ordinarily 1t was matter OF form
with the Second Assistant Postmaster General
for the entire work was done by the Inspection
Division, and he would not be likely to know
of particular case unless his attention was
called to 1t. Speaking of remissions no said
that as q rule they took exactly the same
routine, and he knew nothing Of them until
they were presented for signature. During
an absence OF the Postmaster General he made
a sweeping remission OF fines Of all con
The YeIIow.Fever District,
and with the exception of that period he never
failed to impose fines.
Never received any money nor combined
with any of the defendants to defraud the
Government of the United States. Until the!
began 10 be prosecuted together witness die
not like Senator Dorsey much; they wore
nathan frfanhly nnfrtpndlv. since tina
time he had come 10 know and like him.
The yermiIliOn and Tongue River
Route.
He recollected the route from VermillIon 4
Sioux Falls Judge Ktdder, who was In Con
gress, lived at Vermillion, and wanted a dali!
mail. The contractor objected, claiming tina
| he was losing money. They finally expedited
and got tho line up to daily. Subsequent!
Judge Kidder was succeeded by Judge Ben
| nett, and the latter wanted daily mail some
| where else. The witness told Judge Bennett
| there was no money TO do II with. He wanteC
| the service cut down on the Vermlllion rout,
1 and the money used upon his route. The wit
| ness answered that they did not do bushes
that way they did not build up one service b!
/ Witness believed that General Miles was tn,
| first person TO urge the establishment OF IN
Tongue River route. The matter OF expedl
/ Judge Key and himself. II was evident tina
| the contractors could not put on service 10
the sum at which the route was let. Thre
| times a week service would not have beneflte
| them, for star Route should run day ani
| night TO be good one. The contractors Ia
| probably taken the service In a blind lear
| taking the route at 80 much mile, and as tn
| country was wholly unknown, and they ha
no data upon which to base their calculations
| their bid was too low to pay them. The nj
| cessity for the service was apparent, and tn
| only way 10 get II was 20 expedite the route
i sos mile was only fair rate OF pay for sue
i service,
| At this point in the examination the court a.
| journed until to-day.
In Double Harness.