National Republican., 1883-02-15
MORE SHARP FIRING.
Testimony in The Star Route Trial--lncroaSe
Of Mail Trips.
Repnrteo by Ingcrsoll and Dnvidgo with
Judge Wylie.

In the star route trial yesterday morning
the crier called for James W. Bosler. There
was no response, and Mr. Bliss desired the
clerk to note the fact that he had been called
and did not appear. Tho prosecution then
began the introduction of the official papers
connected with the route from Bismarck to
Tongue river, Dak., the last Of tho nineteen
routes set ont in the indictment.
Joseph pcnncll, who had been employed by
John Dorsey to build the stations along tho
route, testified that man was stationed NJ
each stopping place under orders TO getu
petitions for increased service. More rancheS
were erected than were necessary Mt the time,
but Dorsey said they would all be needed
when the route was expedited, and II would
be cheaper to build them all at ono time.
Dorsey offered him an interest in the route,
but witness declined, because he thought 1t
would not nav. Dorsey told him that the SER
vice would be increased to three trips per
week. He had brother in Washington who
would help him yet il. llc alD spoke OF be-
ing "all right with the department" lie
said the pay for three trips would be at least
S25,0OO per year. and it might be more.
In answer to Mr.. lngcrsOl the witness said
ho had been employed by the government
for the greater part of the past year. lie
won't west last month and secured one wit
ness.
Mr.. 1nrcrsoll. How much were you paidH
Mr.. Bliss. Your honor, is that proper?
The court. No.
Mr.. Ingcrsoll. want to show how long he
has been employed and how much he has been
paid.
Tho court. or course he must have been
paid for his services
Mr.. Davidgc. Yes and mUrc, too.
Mr.. Bliss withdrew the objection, but the
question was temporarily waived.
Mr. Inp.r-nll ~ sl.G1 tlp witness If he knew
that fraudulent means had been rcsOrtcd to
in securing the increase.
A. / don't know that il was lraudulent I
know il was something | couldn't do. | was
bidder on the same route; l couldn't get
the mail increased that way.
Mr.. Ingcrsoll having questioned the wit
ness's belief, the court drily remarked that
somo people did not even believe that we
exist.
"Yes" replied Mr.. Ingersoll "somo people
even doubt existence. | believe that people
doubt in proportion as they have brains, and
arc positive just in proportion as they do not
know" He then required to his question in
relation to tho witncss's pay rs government
emplOyc.
The witness said he did not know how
much he was to get; as yet he had received
nothing.
Wilbur Barnes and Howard Lambert, who
had carried the mail over the route, testified
rs to the number of stock required, and Other
circumstances. Tho last named witness said
John Dorsey told him he would make the
route a good one; but when witness return
ing fro - his first trip, complained of the
miserable condition of the road JOhn Dorsey
told him he could not help 1T; it was his
brothers affair. Witness understood that il
was his brorhcr's delinquency in furnishing
money that was meant In answer to Mr.
Davidge the witness said he had not related
this conversation in the former trial because
II. n,,, L..
declared that if the witness had known any
thing of that kind he would have told of i
on that occasion.
Witness said he had not been examined b!
Mr.. Woodward, or any of tho government
counsel, before taking the stand in the frs
trial.
-. --Slf. Davidge attempted to break down tn
testimony by a cross examination. When th
witness gave the date of his conversation will
John Dorsey, Mr.. Davidge asked if he wa
sure of that. The witness said he was.
Mr. Davidge. You are willing to swear Il
that?
A. am under oath.
The court interrupted, and declared tina
the witness was not required to answer in
sulting questions.
Mr.. Davidge. The jury is the judge of that
Tho court with emphasis). The court vii
judge of that, You shall not ask question
of that kind.
MI JuNhSS NOOullyI j. L NASNpp W oihO iui
guagc of the court, and to the ruling.
The court. The court twill protect wit
nesses from unnecessary pressure ofthat iinC
John w. Cole, driver on the rout
testified that the route could not have bee
operated by any number of stock on a sixty
five hour schedule in the winter of lSS0-S
That was an exceptionally severe season.
Postmaster Lounsberry, of Bismarck, ID. 7
detailed the time of arrival and departure
the mail, and its amount. The mail did NJ
always leave town promptly, but at time
when the weather was bad, stopped at I'll
stage office in the Bank of Bismarck buildin
Mr.. Davidge sarcastically remarked thi
perhaps Mr. Bliss believed the mail had bee
deposited in the bank
mo, sir; but l will show you, before We g
through with this route, where they depositC
it," replied Mr.. Bliss.
Mr.. Bliss proposed to prove the failures {
the route, but Mr.. Davidgc protested tn
everybody knew that there had been failure
but the contractors had paid their fines.
YES" interposed Mr.. Henkle, "they we
fined $4,000"
Adjourned.
The Frobel Society.