The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-03-23
WASHINGTON LETTER.


tFrom our regular Correspondent
wAsHISGroH, ID. c., March II, 1888.
II Washington no longer has Con-
gress, the Star Route trial still fingers,
and it has been rendered unusually in
tcresting this week by Dorsey and Bra
dy, the accused, appearing Ms witnesses.
The criminal conrt room is filled every
day now To overlooking, and many
ladies' attend. Neither Of the defend
ants testified in the former trial, but IN
face of the accumulation of evidence
that has SO steadily fastened its coils
around them, they have been forced to
confront the peoples justly dreaded al
torneys and undergo u cross-examlna-
tion IN order to testify in their own he
half. The future of tho defendants de-
ponds solely upon their success in break
ing down the testimony of the peoples
witnesses, and they are swearing vigor-
ously against them. Ofcourse they are
not compelled to criminate themselves.
nor will their council ask any questions
calculated to embarrass them, and SD
long as Messrs. Ingersoll and Wilson
conduct the examination all will he wei
with them. But in the fiery furnace of
the cross-examination will he seen how
far the defense are willing to go into
the merits of their case with their own
witnesses. For, if they undertake to
coniino tins testimony to mere contra.
diction of Rerdell ana Wash, and to
prevent thorough and searching ex-
animation of all the acts charged
against the accused, the jury as we'll as
the public will be able to see through
the scheme. They are only wasting
time in trying to prove the extent of
Rerdell's corruption, tor the fact that
he once formed part OF their combin-
alton and was the style of material they
could make serviceable proves their
opinion Of him.
The millionaire SenatOr.elect Sabin,
of Minnesota, is in the city, and is max.
ing the rounds of the Departments and
getting acquainted with the people who
may be OF use TO him next winter. He
shows an adaptation to practical states.
manship, and takes to the business like
a veteran. Personally, Mr.. SabIn is a
man of striking features. He is above
the medium height, with dark complex.
ion, dark eyes, and jet black hair. He
has square, firm face, wears long
dropping moustache, and the peculiar
manner Of arranging his hair makes him
resemble Senator Logan, OF Illinois.
After canvassing the city thoroughly
for available quarters, the Civil Service
Commission has decided to occupy
ROBINS in the City Hall, and will take
possession as soon as furniture can be
procured. Officials in the departments
who have met the members Of the COM
mission have been much pleased with
them. Mr.. Eaton has been known and
appreciated previously, but Judge
Thoman and DR.. Gregory were strang-
ers. The latter was the Illinois com
missioner to the Paris Exposition. The
members say they are getting large
amount OF advice, and are surprised to
find in the departments so intelligent
aud hearty sympathy with the work
Of the commission, and all almost uni.
versal expression of hope that its mis-
sion shall not be failure. When they
get fairly to work, 1t is expected very
large number OF candidates will appear
tor examination, and that thereafter the
examinations will he permanent fea-
turc of Washington life. No appoint
ment or nomination will be necessary
to enable person to enter Tor examina-
ton, nor need the fact of one passing ii
result in an appointment to office. But,
upon passing, a certain certificate will
be given, which can he used to secure
employment from private persons and
corporations, rs we'll as to secure en-
trance to the public service. The old
board frequently had as many as three
hundred persons under examination at
time, and it is probable that room
will have to be provided for many more
than that number.
A work of dissertation is being per-
petrated on Judiciary Square, one of the
beautiful parks of the city, on corner
of which stands the City Hall. The
new Pension Office is to occupy the site,
and the excavations that have been
made for the purpose have entirely OBJ
liberated every trace of the park. and
transformed it into clay bank. 1t
cannot but be matter of regret that
these refreshing green spots in the midst
of monotonous repetitlons of houses and
streets should be appropriated.