Morning journal and courier., 1883-02-17
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

RerdeIps Story-A Panic Among the De-
 fendants-A Remarkable Tale of Fraud
 and Rascality.
 WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-There is 8 great deal of excitement in Star route circles over the confession of Rerdell, notwithstanding the unconcerned air which the other defend ants assume Rumors have been current that some of the leading defendants have fled the city. These rumors are not confirmed.
 General Brady, it is true, has disposed of considerable of his tangible property, but it
 cannot be learned that he has any present
 intention at least of leaving the city. There
 is, however, general impression that the
 principal defendants have money, and do not
 ever intend going to the penitentiary. Some
 of them have said so. MT. Merrick, govern
 ment counsel considers that the evidence
 which is yet to be given by Rerdell will leave
 no doubt of the existence of the conspiracy
 and will certainly result in verdict of guilty.
 It is even rumored that Miner, another de-
 fendant, may initiate Rerdell and turn States
 evidence; but Rerdell himself has not been
 promised immunity; he has simply thrown
 himzelf upon the mercy of the court. Gener-
 al Brady is expected to take the stand him.
 self in bis own defence, which he declined to
 do at the former trial.
 The court room was crowded this morning
 to hear Rerdell continue his story. The evil
 dence was of a technical character, the drift
 of which was to show that Rerdell, acting un
 derEnstructions from s. W. Dorsey, changed
 and manipulated petitions and schedules which
 were to be made the basis of largely
 increased expedition. Rerden identified 8
 number of schedules and petitions which
 he admitted he had altered. He said he had instructions from Dorsey to fill in the petitions for an increase of from 150 to 200 per cent, which he did. He said some of
 these blank petitions had disappeared from his office since the verdict in the former trial. His desk was also entered and the cor respondence between himself and Senator Dorsey taken out. No one but the witness and Senator Dorsey had 8 key to the desk The witness said he had sued Miner, Vaile &
 Go. for services rendered. MT Merrick read the record in that case te show from Vaile's statement who constituted the firm. It shows that Rerdell, on May 29, 1873, sued Vaile and Miner fer $3S3.30 for services rem dered from December, 1878, to March, 1879 in the transaction of their mail business Another letter from Vaile was read, dated National Hotel. May 29, 1879, in which he Vaile) advises that Dorsey induce Rerdeu to with draw his suit, as he could secure nothing and would only draw h1mseh 1nto olmcuiEss. The witness said that when the case came to trial 8 compromise was effected m the court house, Miner drawing check for $2OO. which was signed by Vaile. The wit ness was not allowed to relate certain in structions relative to ths preparation of petl- lions of sub-contracts given by 8. W. Dorsey to his brother when the latter went to Ca1- fornia. Witness kept the books for the con cern. For time s. W. Dorsey gave hlm instructions in reference to the entries to De made in the books. Holding paper in his hand. witness said s. W. Dorsey instructed him to open an account with the names on that paper. MT. Merrick proceeded to read the paper. It is headed:
 ! INVITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER, WASHINGTON, 1 1s7-Acoounts cash loaned Dorsey and Peck s. ". Dorsey, SlO,6O0. o Eynansess blank cash, blank profit and loss, I blank U Fl Mitchell. blank; I'M O Rs" blank :. William smith, $1s.0o0; John Smith, $500.
 John Smith had been scratched out and 1 Sam ,Jones substituted. Witness said that he | wrote teSam Jones' under John Smith" be- l cause s. ". Dorsey called attention to the 1 fact that there were two Smiths, and said he he'd better make one 'tSam Jones'" Wit l ness said that he had no account against Brady. Dorsey replied: ..Why, d-n it, he l is William Smith; thought you knew who l William Smith was"