The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-04-11
THE STAR ROUTES.

Miner Still Under ss-Examination.
WASHINGTON, April 10.--Henkle continued
the examination OF John r. Miner in the Star
route trial this forenoon, and at the conclusion
the witness was cross examined by Merrick
Knew Dorsey and Peck only slightly when
he engaged with them but did not know that
they were relatives of Senator Dorsey II that
was what the counsel wanted, The witness said
rather detantly he bad been indicted for re-
moving spirits from a bonded warehouse, but
was never within seven miles off the ware
house and was not guilty. He paid $500 to
get out OF the affair. The witness had nothing
10 do with whiskey for 12 or 10 months be-
lore his indictment except TO take an occa-
sional drink.
Five persons had been indicted and none
found guilty, the case having beea noIle
pressed.
Just as it will be in this case" interiected
Mr.. Ingersoll, which remark called forth
reprimand from the court.
John Dorsey did very little work In prepar
ing the bids, nor did Boone do much. "He
found that was full OF work. He was little
lazzy," said witness. Ii was probable that
Rerdell had been directed by s. w. Dorsey to
resist witness IN preparing bids. Boone was
mistaken when he said that a proposal signed
by Peck had been spoiled upon that occasion
and that witness had replaced 1t with another
bearing similar signature. IL proposal had
been spoiled It that way the witness would
have signed his own name 10 the substitute
nltnIoo s2iu tudt IuU HiNinlOu WAS based
upon the value Of the routes as shown by the
profits and NOT upon the number OF routes. So
then, ii partner drew one route returning
profit Of $1,000 per aDnum and another show
ing loss OF the same amount nothing was
charged against him in the division. II was ga
stand off :" The result, however, as arrived at
10 this way agreed closely with proportonate
division Of the number OF routes. Witness be-
lieved s. w. Dorsey received little more than
ms fair share No account was taken OF prob
ahi Ia . la.. L.
erenee If we did, said witness, "for Dorsey
got more expedition than we did, Witness
said all Of the details OF the business, includ-
ing preparation Of aflidayits, were In his care,
but be could remember nothing of the circum-
stances attending their preparation.
crsssionai c0ittss but wss N siet nssf wt al
lection from Mr. DavIdge, who declared the
statutes expressly forbade such examination.
Some argument followed, In the course OF
which Messrs. Merrick and Davidge INDUCED
Ia lively repartee.
The court seemed TO attach Importance 10
the point and delivered an opinion at some
length upon IT, The statute did not apply to
here as a witness. He could not claim the
privileges OF q defendant while defending him
self as witness. If the defendant had Dot
gone upon the stand what had been said be-
fore that committee could not be used in evi-
dence against him. He was here as witness,
and 1t would be remarkable thing that de-
fendant volunteering as q witness should be
allowed TO shelter himself under his privileges
as defendant. The Court would therefore
allow the inquiry. general exception was
noted by the defence.
Mr.. Merrck then based some questions upon
the record OF the testimony before the Con-
gressional committee and witness denied he
had signed afidavits ia blank that had after
wards been filed in by Rerdell. He would
have been foolish il he had done any such
thing although tho assistant counsel had
requested him 10 do 50.
Merrick-He (RerdelD was one of you then2
Witness-He was not one OF me long.
Q-Ynu were making affidavits OF his re-
quest then?
Al msdc one truthful affidavit at his
request. Witness said that another affidavit
had been filled in by Rerdell
"Are you familiar with his hand writing"
inquired Merrick.
Al do not know that am familiar with
Il (sarcastically.) He had several hands.
Turning suddenly 10 Vale Merrick ex-
claimed, Il don't want any signs TO this man,
Mr.. Vale?
vaile Cndignantly)--I was not looking at
him.
Henkle defended his client from the charge
and the court bserved that Vaile was sn
emotional gentleman and unintentonally
might have nodded his head.
Paper after paper was produced but witness
| recoiected nothing about them and could only
| identity hand writing.
The court adjourned without concluding
| the cross examination. Merrick expressing
| the hope that nights rest might improve wit
| ness recollection.