Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-05-28

A sorrespondent of the Philadelphia
Press has had talk with Attorney Gen
eral Brewster about the expenses of the
star route trial. Mr.. Brewster said: MIR.
Bliss is paid 500 per day and expenses,
and his contract was made with my prede-
eessor, Attorney General McNeagh, ana
Gen. T. L. James. Ibid not know man
engaged in the case at the time | was re-
tanned bv ex-Attorneg General MeNeagh,
except by professional reputation. MI.
NIerrick receives. l think, less than 500
Der day. and l do not believe Mr.. her re-
,eives $50 per dav. The expenses OF the
trial have been multiplied by the devices of
the defendants. who spared no eXertions
TO spirit away witnesses ana throw every
possible obstacle in the path of the prose
cution. The worst feature of these cases
is the fact that the government is not only
paving the costs of the prosecution, but
il has also paid the expenses of the de-
Tense. Here are ten lawyers, l think, re-
tanned by the defendants, paid large
fees and expenses, and the money they
got was stolen from the government"
Mr.. Brewster also declared that the defen-
dants had bought eX-counsel for the gov
eminent in these cases explaining thus:
Il mean that J. NJ. BOsler, of Carlisle, Pa,
showed Mr.. Bliss his books containing
record of payments made by him on ac-
count of expenses incurred in the defense
of these suits among other things. and
Mr.. Bliss told me that Bosler's books con-
tanned entries of several thousand dollars
paid the law partner of Mr.. William
Cook and Mr.. A. NJ. Gibson. Both Mr..
Cook and Mr.. Gibson were originally re-
tanned by the government in these cases.
and | dismissed them because l felt that
their services could be dispensed with"
This is quite interesting, but in the
more than probable event OF the9failure
of the prosecution TO secure a conviction.
will the farce be repeated? The guilt Of
the gang is clearly proved, the govern
ment may be honest in its intentions TO
punish the thieves, but its efforts are
quite TOO costly. The Republican party
can gain no credit from the prosecution
since it shares IN the Odium of the crime.
The result of the former trial was more
| disgraceful than the crime itself, and the
issue of the present trial, it is supposed,
| will be pretty similar.
The result so far has been to mulct the
accused for counsel fees, but they have
/ the satisfaction of knowing that the pub
/ lie treasury has been tapped for their
! prosecution Mr.. Brewster for all prac-
teal purposes might just as well enter a
/ HOlle DrOsequi in the case Of each Of the
/ defendants and save further expense.
The Mobile Register. noticing the reor-
ganization of the Ship Canal Company
at Washington, warns the Florida Legis-
/ lature against aiding and abetting men
who have proved recreant to their duty to
the Southern people, and who have robbed
Virginia of credit and respect" To this
/ the Tallahassee FIoridiaa replies as fol-
1 lows;
/ ssPremismg that the Florida Legislature
/ is not now in session, and Will not be I'M
I til nearly two years hence, we would state
/ that the charter granted by the last Leg
! Islature was merely the bare privilege OF
/ going to work, nothing being conceded
! but the right of way-nothing donated.
/ There never was a charter that eventually
/ got through a legislative body that was
/ more thoroughly discussed, dissected and
/ sifted. and which. asking so much when
/ introduced. was finally accepted allowing
so little. Our good contemporary may
I rest assured that Florida Democrats have
! their eyes very wide open, and need not
/ be admonished as to the duty of eternal
/ vigilance"
The Republicans cannot well win with
/ out some of their old enthusiasm, and Mr..
( Arthur is not the man to arouse this
/ Boston Herald.
! Very true, but while the Hon. Jay Abel
/ Hubbell's heart beats true for the z. o.
p. there is always the possibility Of "a
break among the capitalists" That is
/ the kind of enthusiasm as enthuses.