National Republican., 1883-01-27
BOONE'S BELIEF
Relative TO the Things He Saw and Heard in
Star Route Matters
Dorsey Filling Out BlnnIss-Mcthods OF
Preparing subcontrncts.

the star route trial tho examination of the
witness Boone was continued. He said he
filled out the blank proposals in stephen Dor
sey's house, and in his presence Dorsey wrote
the letters to accompany the packages. At
the time Of the first congressional investiga-
tion witness had conversation with Miner
in the presence of Stephen b. Elkins They
had been notified to consult Elkins. Miner
said that 1t was unfortunate that Peck's name
had been signed to the proposals by Stephen
Dorsey. This remark was Immediately
stricken out by order of the court. The de-
fense appealed to the court to charge the jury
to disregard the answer, The court said the
counsel should not put question calculated
to bring out an improper answer.
Mr.. lngersoll said that personally he had
no objection TO the answer-lct them prove
the fact.
Witness said that when he had prepared
800 or 1000 of the bids Dorsey informed him
that tho bids must be confined to routes whore
the trips did not exceed three per week in
number. Accor dinghy, 400 or 500 bids, that
had been already filled out, were destroyed.
Miner showed witness book containing
list of the routes to be lot, with written figures
set down against certain routes
Direct evidence relative to the contents of
this book was excluded, but after many at
tempts IL was finally brought ont indirectly.
hltHthb bhll ne UOlnleu OuU 10 hllllcT bnNJ
tho bid on the Dallas-Baker City route had
been reduced by S3,OOO Miner replied that
he knew the figures were too low, but he was
not responsible for IL; IL had been reduced by
direction.
"You need go no further in telling who was
responsible for it," said the court.
"Thats rather hard on him--to stop there"
said Mr.. Ingersoll. [Laughtor.l
Witness said that on the day before the last
day allowed for the reception of bids he was
at Dorsey's house with Miner, s. w. Dorsey
and Rerdell.
What were you all doing2' inquired Mr..
Merrick.
Mr.. Davidge (melo-dramatically) Plotting
MIR. Merrick. Yes, plotting lin answer to
a remonStrance from the COURT am only
taking Mr.. Davidge's own words for my basis.
The methods of preparing subcontracts were
next described by the witness, who said that
Dorsey directed the insertion of the expedi-
tion olause--sOmothing new to witness at that
time. At Dorsey's request witness furnished
one of the sureties Samuel N. Hoyt) whose
name was used in the proposals. Witness
connection with the concern terminated on
August Is 1873. He resigned because ii was
represented to him that unless he left the
concern would ultimately fail. Another reason
given by s. w. Dorsey was that
Objection was made, and Mr. Merricx said
he proposed to prove that Dorsey requested
the witness to retire in order that the combi-
nation might secure the anticipated profits.
The witness said the answer would concern
another defendant, and this statement gave
rise to fresh objections.
Mr.. Ingersoll said the court had changed its
decisions often enough, although not in SOL
itary instance had it changed in' his way.
Still 1t had twice decided that such evidence
could not be admitted.
The court said that of course if IL tended to
On nj ha ot hpn Al 1afn ffa bs, had
twice this morning held that 1t was not ad-
missible at this stage of the proceedings.
However the answer must determine the pro-
priety of the question.
The witness then said that S. w. Dorsey in
his conversation quoted language used by an
other defendant, and asked the instruction of
the court, who specifically defined the scope
Of the answer.
Resuming the witness said Dorsey inquired
of him, Boone, what is the trouble between
you and Gen. Brady; why is he so hostile to
your"
n Witness answered, "I do not know now,
and never could understand it," Dorsey then
said Brady would never do anything for them
so long as he was in the concern. Witness
did not know that Moore was partner in the
business, but understood that he was to be
succeeded by Vaile. He inferred this from
conversations with s. w. Dorsey; and Miner
also told him they were without means to
put on the service, and were about to take in
Nailc, because he did have the means. Wit
ness knew that the concern was without
money, and signed the papers of relinquish-
ment. In conversation with witness, John
Dorsey said the business did not suit him,
and he wished himself at home. Witness told
Stephen Dorsey he wished that he would
keep John w. Dorsey and Miner away from
him he would attend to the business; they
knew nothing about it, Witness could
not say that he had seen Peck since
1915, but when the proposals were in
course of preparation, some one repre-
senting himself to be Peck called at his
house, and acknowledged Peck's signature
to some of the bids Witness was notary
public, and certified the signatures to num-
Der of the bids Miner had previously in
formed witness that Peck would call upon
him for that purpose. One of Peck s bids was
spoiled while being filed up; new one was
drawn up and taken out of the room by
Miner Within few minutes certainly not
more than half an hour, he returned the paper
with Pcck's signature affixed. Witness did
not know that Peck was in the city,
and had not seen him for more than a
year previous, although witness had been at
Dorsey's house every day while the bids were
being prepared. To the best of his knowledge
Peck was not in Washington ut the time. A
long argument followed n motion to strike
out the evidence relating to this transaction
The defense contended that il made no differ
ence whether or not Miner signed Peck's
name; they had never denied the combina-
tiou between Miner, Peck, and j. W. Dorsey.
Mr.. Bliss said it would make material
difference if they proved that Stephen Dorsey
signed that name it would go long way to
show his interest in the combination. He
did not understand that the other side was
prepared to admit that.
MIR. MerriclS asked the witness what Miner
told him in regard to the proposal, He ex-
planned that he wished to provo that Miner
told the witness that Stephen Dorsey signed
Peek's name,
81 withdraw all objection to the question:"
said Mr.. Ingersoll.
az withdraw the question at present" re-
piled Mr.. Merrick.
Mr.. Ingersoll insisted upon an answer, but
not been withdrawn until the witness had
shaken his head in negation.
The court refused to allow the question.
A temporary interruption was caused in
the proceedings at this stage by the entrance
of the grand jury, who returned present.
ment against William Dickson for corruptly
endeavoring to influence the votes of the
Jurors in the star route case.
The witness was then turned over to Mr..
Ingersoll for cross-examinatiOn.
lie said he never entered into an arrange
ment or conspiracy with Stephen w. Dorsey
to defraud the government. Got up the cir
cuars himself that were sent out to posmas-
ters, asking for particulars about the routes,
and did not believe they We're calculated to
deceive and defraud anyone. These circulars
were made rcturnable to witnesses stepson,
James H. ketner, simply as matter OF CON