National Republican., 1883-03-22
BLISS ENDS WITH BRADY
Dealings In Stocks Explained to the Court
Newspaper Investments.
Gen. Sherman Tells OF tho Want OF Mail
Service i'm tho West.

When the criminal court trying the star
route case met yesterday morning, Judge Wylie
proceeded to deliver his decision upon the
propriety of tho question as to whether or not
the witness (Gen Brady had given the Price
drafts to Walsh.
The court read from Greenleaf and Roscoe,
and said that IL had decided few days ago that
IL would not allow the prosecution on cross
examination to go into the investigation of a
distinct offcnse, because it was irrelevant. AS
to the present question the court was clear
that it was not question affecting the issue
in the case otherwise than collaterally, and
collaterally for the purpose of enabling the
jury to determine the value Of the witnesss
testimony, his memory, and his accuracy.
Walsh's testimony was quoted in which
Walsh swore that Brady referred him to the
Price and Peterson drafts, as was also Brady's
denial of the alleged conversation. There
was direct conflict between tho two state
ments said the court. 1t might not have
been material point The question was as
to whether-as tending to throw any light
upon the credibility and memory of tho wit
ness-the query could be made and the court
was of opinion that it could; 1t was admitted
as an inquiry into q collateral matter.
An exception was noted, and Gen. Brady
then took the stand. When the question was
reiterated, he said: never saw this paper,
Mr.. Bliss, until last Friday. l never gave it
to Walsh"
Another draft was presented and the wit
ness returned the same answer
Mr.. Bliss inquired what was the par value
of tho Chattanooga stock that witness sought
to borrow from Walsh.
objection was made. Mr.. Bliss explained
that he wished to show the nature of the rela-
tions between Walsh and Brady; that the lat
ter sought to borrow $4,000 worth of stock
without security. The witness said that the
par value of the stock was $4,000, but the
selling value was from $21 900 to $24,00
Walsh bought the stock in the Office of Foote
q Hatch, giving a check upon Winslow,
Lanier & Co.
Mr. Bliss produced q check, but the witness
said that he had not seen the check drawn by
Walsh.
When asked why he had tried to borrow the
stock, the witness said his purpose was to con-
troll the stock and also to use it as security in
other operations.
Mr.. Bliss asked if he had not in that way
sought to borrow the equivalent of $4,000 in
cash.
The witness answered in the affirmative.
Objection was made and overruled to ques-
tion as to how much Chattanooga stock the
witness possessed. He said that he probably
had more than 5000 full shares. Never at
tempted any other money or stock transaction
with Walsh. The latters suit against witness
was still pending in the District of Columbia
supreme court. Walsh never made any de-
mand for money upon him except through
his attorneys. He sent letter of that kind
to Col. Totten (Brady's counscl) in May or
June, 1881, after witness had left the depart
ment.
The examination then required to the
routes and long technical inquiry was made
into the reasons for the various orders con-
nected with them.
Mr.. Bliss next referred to witness's denial
of the conversation about the books imputed
to him by Rerdell, and the witness again
denied that he had ever had any such conver-
sations.
@. Then you wish this jury to believe that in
that letter to Boser kerdell referred to q conver-
sation that never took place @
The court refused to allow the question,
although the witness attempted to answer.
1T is the same letter that Bosler swore he
never received" said Mr.. Ingersoll
1t Is from the books that we could not
get, and bears the page number" returned
Mr.. Bliss.
1t would be peculiar if it did not" said
Mr.. lngersoll.
Mr.. Bliss. You invested In newspapers pub
lie benefactor, suppose.
A. Well, learned the printing trade and al
ways had something of hankering for newspa-
pcrs. SO far rs THE REPUBLICAN was concerned, 1
thought could make II agood deal better paper,
and now think that did make IL a better paper
than it was before or has been since.
q. Did itpay?
a. piaughinglyS( Well, no. got out about the
money put in (slilyl believe you had some
Mr.. Bliss. only $1,000 worth.
Witness said that he did not hold any in
terest in the Critic while in the department
Sold the Capital in last October and owned no
newspapers now except the Critic, which he
still controlled.
Mr.. Bliss attempted to refer to the first
trial, and asked why the witness had not at
tempted before TO answer Walsh
The court refused to allow any reference to
the former proceedings.
Mr.. Ingersoll remarked, "They were sad
because he didn't come, and now they are sad
because he had come"
Not at all" replied Mr. Merrick.
Then VIC are all glad" said Mr. Ingersoll.
Mr.. Merrick. 1--WE wanted to give him q
chance to explain"
The witness said that he had no knowledge
OF how the Price drafts had come into Walsh's
possession, beyond rumors he had heard dur
ing the trial.
The hour for recess having arrived, the
court said that IL desired to consult the iury
and counsel Especially Mr. Ingersoll), about
the propriety of an adjournment over Good
Friday.
Mr.. Ingersoll. call any day good when 1
don't have to work. Laughterl.
After a short discussion, the court made an
order adiourning the trial from Thursday un-
til Monday and recess was taken.
When the court reassembled, Mr. Bliss an
nounced that lie had no more questions to put
To Mr.. Brady.
Mr.. Wilson then began the redirect exami-
nation. The witness said that he had little
knowledge of the details of the second assist
ants office. There were a number of sub
divisions, and the heads Of these subdivisions
wore responsible for the correct performance
of the duties of the office Some of these
gentlemen had been in the Office many years,
and their Endorsements were regarded by the
witness as a sufficient guarantee of the JUS
tce of their recommendations. There was
such a multiplicity of papers that i was i'm
possible for the witness to examine into all
of them.
Mr.. Wilson made several intellectual efforts
to go into the subject of the congressional in
Vestgation, and noted exceptions, when the
sOuTt refused after long argument, to allow
Ais question TO be answered.
The reCross-e examination brought out moth
ing of Importance.
Gen William II. Sherman was then called
10 the stand and examined by Mr.. Ingersoll.
He identified a petition connected with the
Rawlins-Wlite River route as bearing his
Endorsement, and described the condition of
the country through which the route ran
and his reasons for indorsing the petition.
10 his mind the service was necessary, and
its increase to daily service saved the army
the expense of line of couriers. Gen.
Sherman described the Thornburg and Custer
4 4.