National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1883-04-05
VALE UNDER uENKLE AND BLISS.

lie DlsiiEed Dorsey and Had No Agree
ment with Brndy--weht Into the Busi-
ness TO Help Miner.
In the star route trial yesterday was given
to the examination of Harvey NJ Vailo by
his counsel, Mr.. Henklc, and beginning of
his cross-examinaton by Mr.. Bliss. The
first part of his testimony was autobiography
cal. Witness explained, in reply to questions,
that he was born in Vermont, studied law in
Louisville, KY, was once connected with the
indianapolis EreniHg Journal, practiced law
for "a time in Kansas City, Mo. He said he
became connected with the mail business in
1862.
Mr.. Henkle attempted TO show that this
connection had been accidentally brought
about but the court quietly remarked that IL
would DO better to wait until the witness had
been impeached before defending him.
Mr.. Henkle replied that they (the prosecu-
tom would not impeach the witness.
Mr.. Merrick. They won't2 lie sworo at
the last trial you forget that.
Witness swore that he never had any agree
mcnt or understanding that Brady should ex-
tend favors to him, either for money or for
any other consideration whatever Ho got
into tho routes involved in this case on ac-
count of his sympathy with Miner who
seemed to be in great trouble.
The agreement of copartnorship between
Vale, Miner, Peck and John Dorsey was
then read in evidence. BY its terms Vale is
made treasurer and Miner secretary of tho
combination, and the receipts from the SER
vice are to be divided among the partners in
q varying proportion. Senator Dorsey had
no interest i'll that partnership so far rs wit
ness knew. Witness signed the contract in
nntg1 lnt, a..l- ali
lister motive, but to cut Off certain postal
drafts that were outstanding. Witness learned
from Miner of the existence of these drafts.
They had been Hypothetical at tho Ger
man American National bank for money.
Witness failed to mako terms with the bank
and filed subcontracts on the routes. This
led to trouble between Senator Dorsey and
himself the senator charging that he had
been unfairly treated inasmuch as his Sc
curity had been impaired.
Mr.. Henklc offered to show that Dorsey
and Vaile had rumpus in the bank" and
that the former struck his name from tho
agreement, but the court refused to go into
details.
Witness testified to "high old quarrel at
Dorsey's house, in which Dorsey complained
that his securities had been deprecated"
The quarrel ended in dividing up the routes.
A valuation was made of the routes and
straws drawn for their possession, witness
taking 40 per cent, Miner 80 per cent, and
S. w. Dorsey 80 por cent.
Mr.. Henkle. Where did Brady come in?
A. l knew nothing about Brady.
Continuing, he said that he went to Dor
sey's house to effect u separation, for nothing
on earth would have made him go on with
Dorsey.
After the April following, witness did not
see Dorsey until June, 1881. subsequently
witness consolidated his interest with
Miners. As to his feelings toward Dorsey III
that time, witness never disliked man SO
much in his life as he did him. They were
now friendly because Of their common
prosecution.
"One touch of nature makes the whole
world kim" interjccted Mr. Ingersoll.
The witness denied positively the whole
conversation Mt the National hotel described
by Rerdell, in which tho latter was offered
some mail service and its enormous profits
pointed out The witness said that he would
have been perfectly willing to have with
drawn all Of his money and drawn out of the
business If he could have done 30. y
The matter of suit brought by Rerdell
against Vale and Miner for salury as super
intendent of some of their routes came up,
with letter to Dorsey asking him to stand q
part of the expense of the suit.
He was asked to explain his letter to Dor
sey wherein he intimates that unless Dorsey
causes Rerdcll to withdraw his suit, it might
appear who the real partners were in the com
bination. Mr.. Merrick objected, saying that
the letter needed no explanation, its meaning
was plain upon its face, but the question was
allowed.
He testified that there was n loss on the
Bismarck Tongue river route, instead of there
being Gigantic frauds ON the government /"
that the contractors spent $4,000 on that
route over and above receipts, and in the re-
mainder of his testimony he made n general
denial of all the charges in the indictment.
The crOss-eXamination by Mr.. Bliss was cal
culated to bring out an admission Of concert
of action among all the parties in the trial.
but the witness denied everything tending in
that direction.