National Republican., 1883-02-14
STAR ROUTE yRANGLING.
The Usual Qunrroling Among the Lawyers
-Wtmessea from the NorthNvest.

Witnesses from the Northwest.
p. Walker French, former postal clerk at
Rawlins, Wyo., was called to the stand in the
star route trial yesterday morning. Hc was
requested to detail the schedule of arrivals
and departures on the Rawlins-White River
route. The defense objected, holding, in a
long argument, that the second assistant post
master general ought not to be held respon-
sible for the schedule which was prepared by
the postmastcrs on the route. The court
finally allowed the question, as throwing some
light on the public necessity for the order of
expedition, and the witness gave the intorma-
tion.
On cross.examination witness said tho post
masters fixed the schedule, which was ar
ranged in accordance with the other busi-
ness Of the Office rather than with the view
TO making connections with other routes
N Eugene Taylor testified that he carried the
mail over the route under n temporary ar
rangcmcnt with the postmasters. Had also
been connected with Perkins, who held the
subcontract.
"What is that for?" inquired Mr. Ingersoll
Tho court ITO show who he was and what
he became, [ presume"
Mr.. lngcrsOl. Good enough for biograph-
ical purposes, but don't sec what it has to do
with this case"
In response to Mr.. Bliss request, the wit
ness repeated the substance of the letter from
Rcrdcll'to himself, substantially corroborating
| the statement of the witness Smith in that
respect. George d. Dalton, at one time sub
contractor on the route, testified as to the
number of stock employed on the route and
other details.
Mrs A. S. Powers, wife of the subcontractor
| of the same name, testified that she had been
assistant postmaster at McKcn2o's bridge
on the Eugene CiIy-Bridgc creek route,
Oregon. The mail from McKonzie's bridge
eastward was very light; sometimes five or
! six letters, sometimes nothing. IL was carried
| in II piece Of gum boot.
The introduction of some official papers led
| to long discussion between the court and
! counsel.
The defense contendcd that it was an inn
| possibility for the second assistant postmaster
general to examine in detail The mail bills
showing the amount Of mail passing over n
route.
The court said that it could not understand
| why that officer did not regard it as his
official duty to look into the papers when
some new project was laid before him, or
some new allowance demanded of the govern
ment The proposition was to laNbeiOre the
| jury authentic proof of the amount of mail
| passing over the routc-cvdenCe that every
official in making expedition ought to
| look at.
! Mr.. Wilson asserted that the mail bills
were not presented to Brady until after the
| expedition had been ordered
The court did not see that it was the duty
| of any government officer to make expedition
without ascertaining the facts before making
the order and examining them afterwards to
learn whether or not it had been made prop
erly.
NIessrs. Wilson and Bliss fell into the old
wranglc over the production Of the papers.
Il thought it was about time" exclaimed
Mr. Bliss a. friend over in New York said
only the other day. What is the matter with
Wilson? lie has not accused you of suppress
ing papers for over week."
"Well, you haven't been here all the time"
candidly explained Nh Wilson, to the amuse'
ment Of court and counsel. Adjourned.