Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-01
STAR ROUTE METHODS.
Mr. Mcrrick Continues Elis EXPEDITION
of thclNs

CONTRADICTORY TESTIMONY OF JOHN ". DORSEY.
MT Merrick this morning resumed his address to
the jury. After referring again to the processes
by which the contractors figured out the asoniSh-
ing results shown by the testimony In the he
reverted again to what he claimed to be the con-
Trajectory and conflicting testimony OF John W.
Dorsey respecting the two contradictory afYidavlts
made by him on the same day. He said that when
| defendant before jury came upon the stand
and testified to what the jury believed to be the
lie 1t was equivalent to confession of guilt
FOREMAN CRANE ASKS QUESTION.
Mr. Crane, the foreman OF the jury, asked why
II was that in the case mentioned the aifiiavit
purported to be that OF the sub-contractor when
the law required the affidavit OF the contractor?
Mr.. Merricls referred to instances In the testi-
mony where Brady had consented to accept the
alllaavie OF the suo-contractor: In further reply
he said that th1 S indictment was an answer to
the question. The jury could net be surprised at
anything being done which to their mind. it
seemed, ought not to be done; they could not be
amazed at any act which shocked their OF pro-
pEiety Or appeared to them plainly contrary to law
the minds OF those who had regard for nropriety.
John W.. Dorsey swore that he did not know
whether he was sub-contractor on the route In
question or not. but the word ''Sub-cOntractor"
Was added, as John w. Dorsey said, by Rerdell.
JOHN W. poEsEY's AFFIDAvITS.
MI. Merrick spent most OF the morning discus
sing the affidavits made by John W. Dorsey on
various routes, the testimony showing that these
>. w.
dell. On the Trinidad and Madison route the am
davit was enclosed to the department in letter
purporting to be signed by John ". Dorsey. which
the evidence showed Was written by S. W. Dorsey,
| In Imitation Of John W. DOrsey's hand writing.
Respecting one OF the afIidavits which Rerdell
said he altered after it was filed In the depart
have done this without the knowledge and con-
| sent OF Brady. He claimed that no more positive
produced than that presented by these affidavits
Mr.. Merrick said that In his testimony S. W.
Dorsey had not denied what Rerdell said about one
| OF these affidavts-that he had directed RerdeIl
to fill 1t up as to yield $50 to $50 per cent He
| said he might possibly have done So Mr.. Merrick
held that no man could forget such circum-
stance.
JUDGE wYLIE's CALCULATION.
Judge Wylie remarked that that proportion was
very often exceeded. He said that il the number
OF horses on the present schedule was 10 and the
number required on the proposed schedule 20, the
increase OF pay would be 300 per cent. II the am
davlt man was prepared to 60 to the length OF
swearing that the present service requires only six
men, reducing the amount OF men and animals 40
per cent, and still Swore that the proposed service
| required 30, the increase would be 500 per cent.
! AN AFFIDAVIT IN BLANK OR A BLANK AFFIDAVIT
Mr.. 1ngersoll raised brief discussion as to
whether Dorsey directed Rerdell to I'LL up blank
affidavit or an affidavit in blank.
Mr. Merrlck m said the af1idavit was sworn to Jam
uary "a, 1873, and In order to conclude that Dorsey
had directed Rerde1l to fill 1t up at or prior to the
tlme II was sworn to they would have to conclude
Wits while he was Senator OF the United States
The usual recess was taken.
Star Route Notes.
Yesterday afternoon, while Mr.. Merrick was
making some calculations before the Jury showing
how the "rule OF three" was worked by the con-
tractors, Mr. Crane, the foreman, said that there
were 5000 pages OF evidence in the case, and sug-
gested that the jury could get a clearer view Of
the case II they could have the testimony to eX-
amire. Judge Wylie, however. said that the court
could not entertain the motion, and that there was
no device better calculated to mislead the fury
He 1ntimated that If the testimony was Iumbled
into the jury box they never would have q ver-
dict
Mr. Merrick will probably occupy all day Mon
gay. and may not conclude MS speech till Tuesday.
1t Is expected that two or three days will then be
fore the court charges the jury.
To-day was the first anniversary Of the begin.
ming OF the first star route trial. The trial was
begun the 1st OF June and lasted few days more
than three months. The present trial began vir-
tually the first Monday in December last, as the
work of organizing the jury for the term was then
commenced and it was understood that the star
route case was to occupy the whole term.