National Republican., 1883-06-08
Mr. MerriCk Comments on Dorseys Convenient
Lack Of Recollection,
Pictudng Him at Final Judgment
Making His Favodte Answer
The Failure Of the Defendants to Produce Their
Books Receives Passing Attention.
John Dorscy's Inoonsistcncics-A spat
with Col. InEcrsoll.

sertion that IL contained nothing TO snow
that Rcrdel had charged the ~. b. b." check
to the mail account by Dorscy's direction.
Some discussion ensued betwe en- the court
and counsel on this subject. Mr.. Merrick
said that it was due to Mr.. Bolford to say
that there was no testimony in or out of this
case that in any way implicated or involved
him IN star route matters Mr.. Beliord was
an honorable gentleman, holding high po-
sition in public life, and, as the current
rumors might bo calculated to do him some
damage, he MR. Merricls) made these remarks
in reparation for any wrong done to him.
Mr. Carpenter moved to strike out BisselFs
testimony upon the subject.
The court declined to do it, and said that
Bissell had not been called to contradict Bel
ford, but to corroborate Rcrdell. Rerdclls
testimony was about what Dorsey told him.
Mr.. CARPENTER denied that Rerdcll had
given any such testimony, whereupon Judge
Wylio directed that the discussion of the sub
ioct be postponed until to-day, in order to
allow time to consult the record.
Mr. MerriclS then resumed his argument,
commenting forcbly upon the failure of the
defendants to produce their books. He next
took up John Dorseys testimony, and made u
keen analysis of IL, with the intention of
showing that he had not been truthful in his
account of the organization of the firm. He
annlied TO John Dorscy's testimony one of Mr.
Ingersolls SMILES, that "a lie would not fit
with tho truth" As peculiar and improb-
able statement, no referred to John Dorsoy's
story that ho had only II verbal contract with
Miner whom he did not know, and would
not trust with his money. Yet his partner
was authorized to contract firm debts. 1t
was an outrage upon common sense TO ask
any one to believe such stuff
Mr.. Merrick read other apparently conflict
ing statements and challenged the defense
to untangle John Dorsey if they could.
Referring to the cred books " and the pen
ell memorandum, showing entries to the
credit of "Smith" and Jones'" Mr.. Mcr-
rick said that the question for the jury was
whether Dorsey or Rcrdell wrote the mem
orandum. If the jury was satisfied that the
red books existed and that they contained en-
tries to the credit of " Smith and Jones"
then the genuneness of the memorandum
was proved, for If the shadow was shown
upon the books, of q certainty the substance
must have existed. If the books contained
an entry to william Smith" then he must
have been q fictitious parsonage for Dorsey
swore that he never had an account with
William Smith. Dorsey had also said that he
put Rcrdell in absolute charge of the bust
ness and IL was only natural to suppose that
he also directed him to open set OF books.
A brief recital followed of the fncts leading
IN to the congressional investigation and of
the precautions taken by Rerdoll to avoid an
exposure Of the business of the firm, " for," "
said Mr.. McrricS, even Dorseys lofty head
1yas in danger The reckless lightning dared
strike that anontcd skull" Then followed
bookkeepor Donnelly's description of the red
hooks. agreeing rs Mr.. Mcrrick said, in every
way with Rcrdell's description, and Donnclly
further said that he left out the william
Smith" account, amounting TO S3O,OOO IN
making the copies by Rcrdell's direction.
u hat hn Fnl al N
in making the copies. Was not that confirm
atory of Rcrdell's statement that they were
uressinoly needed TO exhibit before the con-
gressional committee? Men did not work all
night without special OCCASION. Drop Rerdell
and Moore entirely, and there was stu
enough evidence. Donnelly alone proved the
the existence of the books.
From the theory of the defense it was a
natural inference that Rordell in 1879 had en-
gagged in preparing the nitro-glycerine to
blow up these defendants. 1t was in evi-
dence that the poor, debauched wretch had
followed at tho heels of Dorsey, like u faithful
dog, doing his bidding in every scheme tC
nut money in his masters pocket. If Rerdoll
did not keep Dorsey's books, who did2 Kel.
logg sworc thai he kept only small ac
count; Torrey swore that he kept no mail
account.
Mr.. Carpenter challenged the truth of this
statement, and persisted in his right 20 bt
rick, who insisted that he had correctly
quoted the record.
The court admOnished Mr.. Carpenter that
he could not bring in evidence on his side
under the gulso of u correction. But that
gentleman insisted that Mr.. Merrck had mis-
stated the evidence, and read Torrey's testi'
mony in confirmation Of his declaration.
Much heat was exhibited by both of the
counsel, and Mr. Merrick brought larg,
volume down upon the table with such vic
lence as to overturn glass OF water, liz
asserted that Torrey did not begin To keel
the mail account until 1880, and that 1t wa
confined to the entry of some checks to mail
drawn by Rerdell. The matter was finally
dropped, and the pencil memorandum wa'
passed to tho jury for an examination OF The
handwriting.
Mr.. Mcrrck having remarked that he eX
pected TO conclude his address to-day
Judge Wylie said that he hoped so for tn,
Counse's own sake. He did not mean tha
the court had weared of listening to him, fol
whatever was worth doing, he was doing well
Mr. Mcrrick then pointed out to the jury
the peculiarities of the handwriting of tn,
pencil memorandum, and compared II Will
one of Dorsoy's letters, with the object o
showing that Dorsey had Wrltleh the memo
randum.
Mr.. Ingersoll interrupted to remark tha
the defense admitted that the memorandum
rescmbled Dorsey's handwriting, IL woulC
not be much of forgery unless IL did. The
point was how IL came to resemble RerdellI
handwriting,
Mr.. Mcrrick replied that if Rordoll hat
forged Dorsey's handwriting he would not
have made IL resemble his own handwriting
lie then turned TO the evidence relating tC
Rerdell's visit to New York on June IL
1851, when he undertook to bring the red
books to the attorney general. Dorsey's ant
Rerdel's testimony upon this point was con
trasted, and Mr. Merrick asserted that Rer
del's version was the true ono. Dorsey hat
said that they had parted in peace and friend
snip. Rerdell had said that they had parted
in anger Mr.. Merrick read Rerdelps telo
gam to Dorsey denounCing the affidavit
story rs a lie, and resigned his position, ant
nsl,cd if that did not indicate previous
quarrel,
When Mr.. Merrick quoted RerdelPs tele
gram, and when he came TO the passag,
where Rerdell tells Dorsey to send some on'
10 take charge of the books, Mr.. lngersol
again interrupted aud asked how he coulC
New York. Mr.. Merrick appealed to tn,
court for protection He had right 10 follow
out his own line of reasoning. He knew tina
il hurt.
Mi lngesoll, 1t does not hurt It is too alb
Aurd ~ hurt,
Mr. Morrick said that Dorsey had sworI
that tho telegram spoke Of the books and HI
did not tell the truth. Rerdell swOre tha
his message notified Dorsey that he must seuC
some one to take charge of the business, anC
that was the truth. lie protested against an!
further interruption.