Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-03-20
STAR ROUTES.


tain Evidence Di-cussed-Brady Anxious
to Testify, bnt His Counsel Object
Wrang'ing Between Ingerson and ATer-
rick-The Court Discusses Brady's Tes-
timony.
WASHINGTON, March 19.-With to-day
began the sixteenth week of the star route
trial and the criminal court room was filed
with spectators. When the court adjourned
Friday last the prosecution had Just closed
their preliminary argument, when the per-
tinency of the question as to whether or
not witness, Gen. Brady, had any knowl-
edge Of the Price drafts. This is regarded
as an important point by both, for if the
question is admitted it will probably lead
to the admission of testimony, by Price,
in support of the government charge.
The court, in answer to a question from
Merrick, said it would allow the govern
ment an opportunity to reply to the argu-
ments of the defense. Turning to the
court Gen. Brady said positively: "Your
honor, would prefer to answer that ques-
ton and all similar questions My law
yers and myself do not seem to have taken
! the same ground"
Merrick was of opinion he might answer
without reference to his lawyers. The
court said, however, it would hear his law
yers instead of him.
Ingersoll-Of course, your honor, this is
no question of privilege, but of relevancy,
and my client is interested.
Wilson said if the matter was gone into
now, he would feel it incumbent upon him
to try it now and try it to the bottom, but
it was not proper to bring another case
into this when it could not be tried and a
verdict had before jury. He did not pro
pose spending the remainder of his day
IN the court room, trying other matters,
that might be brought into the case. One
case at time was the proper method.
The Court-It has not been brought into
| this case.
Dayidge-Then began his argument with
| the statement to offer.
The court interrupted and inquired if
Merrick's offer was to show only that the
Price draft had been placed upon the wit
ness desk.
Merricl-No, your honor; placed upon
his desk, and given to him for corrupt
purpose.
The jury were excused for the day and
argument was continued at great length.
Merrick said Brady had stigmatized all
of Walsh's testimony as false, as "a lie
made out of full cloth,' on his cross-exam-
ination. The government proposed to in
terrogate him relative to the facts sworn
to by Walsh They had proved in chief
the extraordinary expeditions allowed, that
beyond doubt Trey were allowed for
corrupt and money motives, bus witness
came upon the stand andSdeclared he had
acted from pure and patriotic motives. He
brought q motive into the case,
but he would find what he
thought was solid rock was but quicksand
beneath his feet, for it was for the gov
eminent to rebut his testimony on that.
There was more benefit to be derived from
the Introduction of evidence now than if
it be offered in chief. HE put his motives
forward" said Merrick, 'and l propose
by the magic rod of truth to dissolve and
disclose his purpose"
Ingersoll made the closing argument.
He said it was not material in this case
what Brady's motives were in making ex-
petition in any other case. 1t was not
necessary to introduce several other cases
to prove Gen. Brady knew it was wrong to
swindle the government. You coold not
proveshim guilty of stealing by proving
that he stole in thousand other cases. No
matter if he had stolen in those cases, the
presumption was that he was innocent in
the charge under trial. Ingersoll COM
mented upon the length of the trial, and
said that it might run into years.
The court said the twelve candles still
burned.
Ingersoll-"I am willing to go on with
eleven when one juoror dies, and when the
last man dies, to take his administrator. ."
"Yes,' to Merrick-"I expect to survive,
and the case may drag along until the
judge who shall finally pass upon it will
not remember the name of your honor"
| Laughter.
In the course of the argument, the court
took occasion to enlighten the counsel with
regard to its position upon
certain questions. In speaking of Brady,
he said he may have been very kind
hearted man and allowed members of con-
gress to run over him and get these orders
at their will. That would have been very
weak, but not criminal. If he had been
charged with receiving brides, the court
would require direct evidence of that
charge, and would not allow the evidence
of any other officer to be accepted to prove
| lndG CnaTg6. II was only MS mOtlVeS ana
intentions that could make his acts Grim
inaL He was on trial to show
his purpose. The proof that Brady
had received bribe in another
case could not be used against Dorsey and
other defendants. The question was,
whether the court could receive evil
dence of payments to Brady by other
contractors, whether his acts could not,
10 hair no 70, he al oofc
By the light thrown upon his motives in
other transactions the court wished it to
be distinctly understood, these latter
points we're only brought to She attention
of counsel for their guidance, that the
court had not made up its mind upon the
matter as yet.
Ingerson said he might continue his ar
gument tomorrow. Adjourned.