The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-02-16
The Gibbet in Store for the Ph@ni,
Park AsSassinS.
Other Foreign and Domestic New,
Washington News Notes.
A THUNDERBoLT,

| INT NUEhBULI.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.---In the starroute
trial, after cross.examination OF the post
master of Bismarck, Reerdell rose, and in
a clear voice, said "li the court please, i
desire to make statement in my own be-
half" A profound silence prevailed for n
moment. The court looked surprised, but
counsel for defense seemed to be prepared
for the blow about to follow. The court
finally said: "You can make it,
| Reerdell then proceeded to read RAPIDLY
the following statement
| III the court please, desire TO make a
statement in person and in my own behalf.
After mature reflection and consideration
of the whole subject, have determined to
abandon any further deiense in this case
and put mysell,at the mercy of the court
and government, and II desired to do SO by
counsel for the government to testify to all
my knowledge of any acts with reference to
any OF the defendants, either against or for
them, myself included. Therefore, now
in person ask leave TO Withdraw my plea
mot guilty" heretofore interposed, and
enter my plea OF guilty" and in SO doing
put myself upon the mercy
| OF the court. | feel this
to be my duty. ! owe it TO myself and my
family, and to the truth. / have arrived at
this fixed determination upon my own
reflections and responsibility, and without
| any previous consultation with my counsel
who | believe would not have advised to this
course, and whom ! now relieve from all
aud any responsibility for the course !
have adopted
"Well, on my part, there is no objection, {"
said lngersoll, abruptly.
| This Is somewhat unexpected | pre-
sumo" said Wilbhiere Reerdell's counseD;
| but Reerdell has exercised the right that
belongs to himself therefore, nothing is
| lett Tor me to do but to withdraw from the
| case, or at least from further PARTICIPATION
| in the case"
The court-"The defendant, who has.iust
spoken, desires to Withdraw the plea OF mot
guilty and enter the plea OF guilty. The
clerk will make the entry
John Walsh, was then called to the
stand.
The court remarked "Mr. Reerdell |
suppose, will remain under his present bail.
The court will pass no order at present."
Reerdell and bis counsel then left the
room, and Walsh proceeded 10 relate his
story OF the interview between himself and
Brady.
Reerdell testified this afternoon in the
star-route trial that he was appointed to a
position under the district government.
and at the same time acted as Senator Dor.
sey's secretary; Miner had an Office in the
third story of Dorsey's house; in January
ard February, 1873, Boone Watts and Sena.
tor Dorsey were frequenters OF Minors of.
lice; by direction of Dorsey, witness as.
sisted Miner in fixing up proposals; Minor
read oil the amounts and witness filed in
dollars and cents; Senator Dorsey and
Boone were present part of the time this
was going on.
Merrick, OF the government counsel in
the star-route cases, was tonight asked for
opinion as to the effect OF Reerdell',
disclosures during to.day's proceedings
He answered. ~ believe Recrdell is en-.
tirely, sincere, and is telling the truth, and
Will disclose the entire truth. The test.
mony which he has thus given is
, about only one.iourth .of what
he is expected to give and
is nothing like as important as that which
he will give tomorrow. When it is all
before the court and is taken
in connection with evidence already
IN, which sustains him in every particular
do not believe there can remain doubt in
any mans mind of the guilt of all parties
or that there can be doubt that my state.
ment made last summer was correct
, that Reerdell was but a subordinate in
, strument, knowingly and personally aiding
|, prominent and able men in thei
I nefarious scheme to defraud tn,
government of the United States.
Again, said Merrick. slowly and emphat
. ically, ~ want II to be understood,
that the government would not consen
to accept Reerdell as witness and nol
PROSE- the ease against him, and pre-
emptorily refused to do anything Of tn
} kind, and certainly would not hay
nh hA
he had OF his own voluntary action pleade
guilty, and unreservedly thrown him
self upon the mercy of the court
Merrick added that he believe
the government would close il
case some time during the mex
I week. Reerdell, he said, had spoken of
number Of blank aflidavits of u damagn
t character that had mysteriously disar
$ peared. 1t would shortly appear thai
n while he was in-jail after the first tna
J. his room had been broken into aud the p,
= pers carried of. a prominent lawvy
a called attention to the fact thu
examined and asserted that tn
had been omitted because it was know
that Merrick had q witness ready to testii
" that the Price drafts had been paid I
s Brady just as stated by Walsh.
CORRECTING AN ABUSE.
In the executive session of the Senate t.
day Mr., Hdmunds called attention to d
alleged abuse of privilege OF the floor of Il
l; senate by lobbyists and others, who throua
Or the indulgence of senators have been in Il
III habit of obtaining cards of admission este
sibly rs secretaries. With q view TO ca
10 recting this evil, Mr.. Edmunds introduce,
the following resolution: Ordered that ,
n. person shall be admitted
ce the floor as private secretary by a senat
We until the senator appointing him shall O.
tify in writing to the sergeant-at-arms til
he is actually employed for the periorman
OF the duties of such secretary. and Is o
ch gagged in the performance of the sam
re After some discussion the resolution W
to referred TO the committee on rules al
ms ordered printed.
IFS THE DEPARTMENT or AGRICULTURE
1 ranorfs tha raeuits nj atatistical ra,,, 80,