Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-04-12
STAR ROUTE TRIALS.
Miners Cross-ExaminationF Finished with
out any Improvement in his Memory
He Pricks Merrick to the Quick.

Miners Cross Determination Finished with
out any Improvement in his Memory
He Pricks Merrick to the Quick.
WASHINGTON, April 11.-Miners' cross
examination was resumed in the star route
trial this morning, but his memory was no
better than yesterday, and he failed utter
ly to remember matters which Merrick
brought to his attention. In answer to the
inquiry as to why he had written to sub
contractor that increased speed would in
volye considerable expense here, at Wash
ington. Witness said he meant his own liv-
ing expenses, and as the sub-contractor
wanted all of the allowance for expedition,
he witness) wished to impress him with
the difficulty of getting expedition so as
to get bargain. Witness was not under
oath when that letter was written.
Merrick asked if he was i'll the habit of
lying when not under oath.
Witness answered ne was making q
trade, and did as other men would have
done.
The court remarked, ''That is the law of
trade"
Merrick asked if witness had not told
Capt. Jackson, Reerders father-in-law,
after Reerdel had finished MS testimony,
that it was correct as far as witness was
concerned.
Witness replied in the negative. He had
conversation with Jackson in which the
latter had besought him to plead guilty
and witness told him he would see him in
Tophet first.
| Merrick asked if he had made that state
ment to any one connected with the gov
! eminent.
The witness sneeringly replied that the
assistant counsel had approached him and
endeavored to get the information.
Immediately lively breeze prevailed.
Merrick-Who do you mean by assistant
| counsel?
Arswer-Reerdel.
| Merrick, fiercely-He is not an assis-
tant counsel. He is one of your fellow
conspirators, and viii be so treated.
The court cautioned the witness not to use
the expression as it was piece of imperti-
nence. Reerdel had a right to be present
Witness apologized to the court.
After further unimportant testimony, the
cross examination was concluded and the
contract clerk, Elliott, was next called to
answer subpoena for certain official pa
pers.
Ingersoll asked permission to show thai
this reform administration had not cut of
the service upon the routes, said to be
| worthless.
The court said the Jewellian policy haC
been spoken of by Brady. Jewell had beer
an economical business man in small
state and believing that his business should
pay expenses carried that idea into hi
administration. The court die
not know how Secretary Teller man
aged the interior department, but 81
far as the postoffice department was con
cerned, assuredlyIhe was not in favor of tn,
the Jewellian policy, or any policy that die
not treat the service with liberality. Othel
gentlemen of distinction held the same
views, and it was not surprising that they
should believe that the Western countrl
required all the money the government
could spare, and that it would be we'll in
vested, but this was a question of inten
ton.
An error IN poncy was not crime ant
this court held no power to determine
question of policy. 1t was here to try
crime, and the jury was here to try crime
and the crime consisted of an intention. l
these orders had been made in conformit,
with an enlightened, just and liberal pol
icy of the government, but made in pur
suance of conspiracy to obtain money b.
means of false papers, afidavits an
fraud, then it was crime, no matter hoy
iustifable as an act of policy. So the
the offer to show that the same policy gov
erned other administrations would not ad
vance the case step. Adjourned.