National Republican., 1883-04-28
MR.. KER CONCLUDES.
Winding Up His Six Days Speech With a
SCorChing DenunCiation Of the Defendants.
Counsel for Vale, Miner, ana Brady Onror
20 Submit without Argument,

Mr. Ker continued his discourse upon the
Bismarck Tongue river route in tho star
route trial yesterday, beginning the seventh
day of his address to the jury with q lively
attack upon Miner and $. w. Dorsey. He
also referred to John Dorsey's statement to
Lounsbcrry. that the only wrong he had COM
mitted in the whole businessH had been in
connection with this route If 1t was not
wrong TO sign afidavits in blank to be used
to defraud the government he (Mr. Kerr did
,not know wrong from right.
When he had finished with this route Mr..
Kor thanked the jury for the patient atten-
tion with which they had followed him in
the arduOus task of reviewing tho enormous
mass of evidence. He also complimented
Clerk Williams for the ability and watchful-
ness he had shown in marking and classify
ing without single inacouracy the volumi-
nous official papers used in the case. lie
counselcd the jury TO allow no doubtful
statement of counsel TO go unchallenged. A
summary was then made Of the prominent
points in the case. The fact that Brady had
remained in Washington during the sum-
mor of 1879, while other public Off
cials were enjoying their summer
vacation, was quoted and commented
upon as tending to show that his
presence was caused by his dosire to hurry
through tho corrupt orders before the close of
the fiscal year.
As an evidence of the extent of tho oper-
ations of the defendants, Mr. Ker said
that for the service upon these nineteen
routes they received yearly Si66,40l, and
and their profit amounted to S142,051. These
routes were originally let for S30,361, and
finally increased so that tho contractors re-
coived the enormous sum of 100000 for the
contract term. Tho total revenue from those
routes in 1850, excluding the railway offices,
aggregated Sl2,3J1 II was the governments
claim that the routes had been expedited and
increased without necessity and for cor
rupt purpose.
The failure of the defense to cross.examine
Walsh, after he had given his damaging tes-
timony against them, was severely COM
mented upon. A bitter attack upon Brady
followed His official orders were cited and
his honesty was denied. He had held the
key of the treasury, said Mr.. Ker; he had
been placed in office TO stand between the
treasury and these robbers, and he had
proved false to his trust proved to be
traitor. He had been Il revenue inspector at
salary of II, 800, then second assistant post
master general receiving $500 per annum,
yet in 1880 he owned S240,000 worth of Chat
tanOoga railway stocks, other stocks five
newspapers, and was living like prince
in Washington. A noble example to
lHC gOUln VI lHt COuulIy WAS InlS.
Mr.. Ker dwelt upon the impor-
tance .of the case, and adjured
the jury to stand up and do their duty like
men, to repel any attempt at corruption.
There never had been such u case no such
difficulties had been encountered by other
prosecuting officers. They were fighting tho
wealthiest, most determined ring that had
ever engaged in robbing the treasury. Mr..
Ker closed with an earnest appeal to the jury
to render verdict of which they would
never be ashamed, and for which they could
not be reproached.
After brief interval Mr.. Henkle arose (by
the peremptorY direction of his clients, he
said) and proposed to submit the case to the
Jury, so far as Vaile and Miner were con-
cerned under the instructions of the court.
He had not consulted with the other counsel
and did not know what course they would
pursue.
Mr.. Merrick. OF course the government has no
objection TO Vale and Miner submitting their
case.
Mr.. Wilson. l submit mine.
The court. We have Brady, Vale, and Miner
NJ Wilson @ OF course this is subject to the con-
= The conrt laier pause). Nobody has spoken
for either of the Doseys
Mr.. Davidge rose and said that he had not
had an opportunity TO confer with Mr.. Inger-
soil, who was absent So far as he was con-
cerned he concurred in the views of tho other
gentlemen. If necessary he would confer
with Mr.. lngersoll, but If the government
would not accept the offer there seemed to be
no need.
Mr.. Merrick. Do as you please, gentlemen, we
have nothing to say
Mr.. Davidge presumed that there would be
no further argument if the offer were ac-
cepted, and he would confer on the subject
with Mr.. lngersoll
The court. We shall hear from you Monday
morning
Adjourned until Monday
There seems to be no doubt that the gov
ernment will refuse to place limit upon the
argument in the manner proposed by the de-
| fense.