National Republican., 1883-03-09
TRYING TINES
Between Counsel in the Long Continued Trial
Of the Star Route Cases.
Mr. Mernck Intimates a Doubt Of Mr.
Wilson'S Sanity
And the CNt Takes Occasion to be Good Humored al
The Expense of Both,
Gen. Nelson A. Miles and Several Clerks
ON the witness Stand.

ness btanu NeSleluHN HloThluB ny luo uclcuno
in the star route trial and examined by Mr..
Chandler.
lie testified that in the summer of 1876 he
went into the Tongue river country. 1t was
just after the Custer massacre, and there were
few white settlers there except the army at
tachcs who established mail service. From
twenty to sixty days were consumed in COM
mnicating with Washington.
Witness remembered that John Dorsey
came to Fort Keogh before the Tongue river
route was opened. Thinking that route
might he established moro direct than that
proposed witness sent out an armed escort in
an attcmpt tUdiscovcr such route. The at
tempt failed, however and Dorsey returned
to Bismarck. At Mr.. Chambers request the
witness described the obstacles to the estab-
lishment of a mail route arising from the hos
tility of the Indians.
Sometimes, he said white men could pass
safely over the route, and again they were
liable TO he molcstcd. Remembered one oc-
Casion when the mail had been captured.
Witness had called upon the postmaster gen
oral and one of his assistants, and had written
letters through official channels recommend
ing the establishment and increase of the
Tongue river ruuto. Gen. Miles produced n
copy of the first letter he had written in that
connection, but it was excluded on account of
its date. lie said that he recommended in
creased service because they only got II mail
once Il week, ard were lucky to get that. Be
Icvcd he recommended Il tri.wCekly or daily
mail so as to bring his command in closer
communication with the War department
and fOr the benefit of the settlers. At times
tii6rotttii had been of the greatest service,
often advising him of the movements of the
Indians md enabling him to anticipate them.
= Nothing of Importance was developed in
sIppza y nftttft NJ I'M un a
the counsel spent some time in their GUS
tumary wranglc over the official papers.
Hannibal d. Norton was then called. He
had been for six years chief of the finance di-
vision, third assistant postmaster generals
office. He detailed the method pursued in
that office in paying RENTED fines.
George NJ. Swecny, of the contract Office,
next appeared with huge pile of papers,
being accounts of the deductions, fines, and
remissons made upon the nineteen routes set
out in the indictment, and Mr.. Wilson began
to examine the witness i'll connection with
them.
After the recess, although the court assured
Mr., Wilson that Mr.. Sweeny had brought in
enough papers to last Il week, Mr.. Wilson in
sisted on his right to be allowed access to others.
The old wound was rcOpcned and the coun-
sci mad lively tilt. Mr.. Mcrrick character
lied the demand as ridiculous declared that
every facility had been offered to the defense,
mand exclaimed:
"I don't think you know what you want your.
God"
II think you are crazy" rctortcd Mr.. Wilson.
The court Mr.. McrrcG, yOu ,uushtr not 10 talk
toa crazy mOn IN tnat way. Laughter
Mr.. wi son (bittclyl. suppose the court is in
dorsius what Air. Merricl said?
Mr.. Mcrnck with mock gravity. Your honor
should no yHy tnG.
The conrt 0fcourse it was only Jest. Assum.
ing ms theory that you are crazy / said that he
ought uol to lalG to you in that way,
Mr Wilson. II is not the first time the court has
talked To mGlu an unkind way.
The court ~ did make II mistake because OF
your incarHrty Of npprccatng jest. Mr. Mer:
rick was getting too warm, and thought to cool
him OF.
Nh Morricls attempted to interpose but Mr.
Wilson turned anpriiy and, shaking his finger
at him, exclaimed, 81 know the methods of
this prosecution. | know that ! have had a
spy OF the prosecution sitting behind me fol
weeks"
Mr.. Bliss. So far as the prosecution know, that is
me court. Mr. Wilson, you will allow me nm
other Joke / viii say that you Hre all spies upon
one another. IL il TIC business OF counsel to find
ont whni they can OF tie plans of the other side.
MIR. Wilson with pnaoOted WARMTH will not
allow any InHu to spy on me II know II, and
viii never spy on another man.
Mr.. NIerrck Qaughing). I've plenty behind me
now.
The examination into the papers was then
resumed.
When it had proceeded some time the court
interrupted, saying il failed to sec the peril.
nency OF the offered evidence ltho papers).
Mr.. lTenklc said that these deductions had
been set out in the indictment us part of the
conspiracy.
Tho court said ii was not part of the gov
crnmGutS case.
Mr.. Mcrrcl; said that il was an attempt to
prove that man did not commit one act by
showing that he did not do another.
Mr.. Dayidgc argued at length in support OF
tho Offer taking the indictment as the basis
OF his argument, He declared that Brady
while In office, had cut to pieces his alleged
co.conspilatpIs in making deductions and
fines, and had acted only rs II good mull---ils u
judge in making rCmisSions where they
seemed to he demanded in Strict justice.
Mr.. Wilson also participated in the argu
ment. lie asserted that whenever post
master had regularly reported u failure tC
Brady, he had rclentlessly and uncrringly
and evcrlnstingly $50 long'as he did last in his
Office imposed these fines in strict accordance
with the law and regulations Walsh had
said chat Brady got half OF the rcmissons. IL,
wanted 20 show by the testimony offered that
this stat ttmcnt of WUlsh's was utterly untrue
He wanted the Jury TO see whether or not the
remissons had been justly made, lie wanted
to show that the rcmitted money passed int
such hands that il would have been absolutely
impossible for his client BRADY to touch
cent of IL,
Mr. Bliss said that whilo the prosecution
regarded the evidence rs nudmissiblc, yet
in view Of the wild statements Of the Other
sidG, he would request the court to admit it,
The Bismarck Tongue river route was the
only route upon which there was no sub
contractor; upon the Others il was possible
for Brady to cut and deduct TO any extent, 81
that it was within the limit OF tho subcon
tractors pay.
The court decided to let in the evidence, in
rider to save time; TO shorten the trial, so "a
20 bring it within the compass of an ayerag,
lifetime.
So again the examination was resumed ant
continued until adjournment.
The following was sent out last night:
10 THE ASSOCIATED Press: 1 am informed tina
yOu sent to the country the yanOus mschOod
mcnt of ReIdells The associated press being su
prone In It's sphere, am forced 10 appeal to IL, am
ask that what j say bo placed beside what tn
perurer says.
lneycr saw Belford on tho cars
! never played game of cards with him or Il
his presence anywhere or at any time,
never gave him check OF any kind what
sOcyer for any purpose in the world.
never met him in my life except in Washing
ton or in Denver, and thcn only socially
Rerdcll says | was here Ia October 1879, an
that hc spoke to me about the check, ] was nC
here any day after the eleventh day of July, 1871
until about August, 1885, and in the meantime
had not seen Rerdell,
Thif story !, one that flows from the mouth of
sell.admillcd perIurer and thief
Rerdcll never kept book for me, never wrOt
fff .tf.ls |NF M do Thtt Ia,