Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-04
BANKER WALSH'S VAIL.
HE DEMANDS THAT HIS CHAR
ACTER BE PROTECTED.

Muzzles Must be Put on the Star Rout-
ers and Their Organs, if he Appears
as Witness Against KellOgg-Dick-
SON Must Also be Punished.
w WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The following
card has been furnished by John A.
Walsh for publication:
To the Public: w. . i00"'
On the 4th day of November, 1888, mailed
to President Arthur the following letter. the
tenor OF which sufficiently explains itself
without any elucidation from me, at least for
the present. Inasmnch as L have received no
repiy thefeto, respectfully submit the con-
tents thereof to my fellow citizens.
j. \. WALSH.
NEW YORK, Nov. 3. 1883.
SIR-In obedience to a subpoena issned ont
OF the Supreme Court of the District of Co
lumbia. appeared before the grand iurv of
said District of Columbia in the matter of
the United States against ex-senator VIM
Pitt Kellogg. This body found an Indictment
against said Kellogg for bribery last month. as
learned by the public prints. The case of the
United States against VIM. Pitt Kellogg for
bribery was fixed for trial on the 10th dav of
December next. The House of Representa-
tlves of the United States, of which body Mr.
Kellogg is now member, will assemble in
few days before the date fixed for said trial.
1t is surmised by some of the gentlemen en-
gagged IN the prosecution of the star route
cases that Mr.. kellogg will plead his privilege
as member of Congress, in this way avoiding
trial when the case is called. The Attorney
General, as / understand it, deems it desir-
able, that an earlier date than December 10
next be fixed for the trial of said Kellogg to
the end that 1t will not be possible for him to
raise the question of privilege. Doubtless
having IN view the fixing of an earlier
day for the trial of said Kellogg certain
gentlemen connected with the prosecu-
ton of the star route cases called TO
inf OF il
conveyed me that it is absolutely necessary
for the representatives of the prosecution to
hold an immediate conference with me, to the
end that the case of the government against
the accused may be properly prepared. This
pressing necessity exists, it is SAID, for an
early interview with me, even though the
trial should not be had at an earlier date than
the 10Th proN. Notwithstanding the high re-
gard in which l hold the gentlemen, declin-
ed to see their reasons, which govern me in
this refusal. Will endeavOr to set them forth
as briefly as possible in obedience to the law
and in no sense voluntarily. have been com
pelled to appear as a witness on behalf of the
United States in the matter of the star route
cases no less than five times. Inasmuch as |
had and have no interest whatever in these
cases, 1t Is needless to say that my appear
ance against the defendants has been quite
painful 10 me, ana not unaccompanied with
great sacrifices on my part. During these va
rlOus appearances, and while under subpoena
as wltness-indeed whilst actually testify
ing on behalf of the government-I was Sian
dered and criminally libeled by sundry
persons and newspapers of the city of Wash
ington, known to every one connected with
the Department Of Justice, without the rep
resentatives of the government taking
any legal steps for their prosecution
have appealed to the representatives Of the
Department of Justice without any result
Indeed, understand that Mr.. George Bliss
has assumed the position that the govern
ment is not under any obligations to protect
Its witnesses. In justice to that gentlemans
associates in the prosecution / must add that
they did not agree with him, but have con-
tessed that they were powerless. If the de-
PENDANTS, together with their numerous and
powerful allies, were to surround the witness
box with arms in their hands, and threaten the
life of every one who dared obey the law bv
testfying, can there be any doubt as
to what the attitude of the government
would then be. Yet, Mr.. President, that
moral assassination towhich l have been sub
jected in the past is far more formidable to a
sensitive and honorable man than any armed
force. The proposition that the government
owes its citizens no protection when appear
ing as witness in its behalf IN obedience to its
mandate Is too revolving to be considered. My
own sense of manhood and self respect will
not permit me i'll the future to undergo such
an ordeal. The government has no right to
ask Tor such a sacrifice. | insist upon that
legal protection of the government which the
law prescrlbes. This being accorded me |
Will consider also that the government
IS lending the cause of Justice
the past many have deemed lacking. If my
presence as witness on behalf of the United
states IN its cases against Thomas j. Brady
and W lillian Pitt Kellogg is deemed of suffi-
clent Importance by you to give your assent
to the following requests, win hold such con-
ferences with the prosecution as are proper
and Will appear as witness in response to
the subpoena:
First. Mr. Merrck or Mr.. Ker to appear
before the present grand jury of the District
OF columbia with view of prosecuting the
indictments against VIM. Dickson for slander
and against George G. GOrham, of
the National Republican. and A. c. Buell. ct
al, of the Critic, for criminally libeling me in
the matter of the Benner claim.
Second. That you request Attorney General
brewster to answer my letter of inquiry ad
dressed to him of the date of September %,
1888 touching letter written by him to Sec
rotary of the Navy w. Z. Chandler concern
ing me.
Third. Your assurance that the government
wilr protect me as witness-by protection
l do not mean physically, as l can do that my
SELF mean that protection from slander and
libel which the law entities me to as a witness.
Fourth. Assurance that Mr.. George Bliss
will not represent the government in its ac-
tons against Thos. }. Brady and VIM. Pitt
Kellogg.
Believe me, Mr.. President, if | thus address
you, it is because eXperienceeha taught me
that no proper remedy will be accorded me
elsewhere.
When you reflect, sir that the accused
(kellogg) proclaims his intention of placing
on the witness stand a member of your Cabi-
net to discredit the prosecutions own witness
by having him recite the language used con
corning said witness by another member of
your Cabinet-tO wit: the Attorney General
o. the United States-is 1t not time that
should know definitely whether or not l am
to have the moral and legal support of the
government? Very respectfully,
j. A. WALSH.
To the President.
One of the special counsel for the gov
ernment in the star route cases, said to
reporter to-day that subpenas had been
issued for witnesses in the case against
William Pitt Kellogg, and that the goy-
ernment expected to proceed with it