Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1883-06-22

expedition OF routes running through the
unpopulated forests of the western terri
tories, the sums thus appropriated to be
divided among the conspirators. 1t was
most certainly proved that large sums of
money, amounting in the aggregate to
millions of dollars, were appropriated by
the Second Assistant Postmaster General
tor the pretended expedition of mails in
sections of the country where there was
no population to jus ify it. 1t was also
proved, as it would seem beyond rea-
sonab'e doub', that Brady, the Dorseys
aod the other defendants derived personal
profit from such pretended expedition,
and the testimony of Walsh and RerdeIl
seemed to establish the existence of con
spiracy for the purpose.
Thus it seemed that the conspiracy and
the overt acts had been sufficiently estab-
lished, and although it was given out that
the sympath,es of the loren IN and other
members of the jury were so completely
with the defendants that no conviction
coud be had, yet the country was not pre-
pared for the verdict that has been rem.
dered, and while it will Shield the accIs-
ed from the heavy punishment that threat
ened them, the testimony OF tae press OF
the different STATES since the verdict shows
that it will not be accepted by the coun-
try as an acquittal of the grave crimes with
which they were charged.
The result of this and her prominent
jury trials in late years will do much 10
shake the popular confidence in the effica-
cy and justice of this time honoied COM
mon law method OF determining the facts
of a case, and awaken the public mini to
the necessity of radical reform in the me-
thods Of selecting juries, in many of the
States as well as in the District Of Column
bia. 1t is true the stsr-route trial was one
of unusual length and extraordinary ccm-
plication. Indeed, to the outside obser-
yer, it seemed that the case was unduly
protracted; and that the immense volume
OF the chaotic mass of evidence introduce
ed might have been by proper manage
ment very much reduced, and the perspi-
Guilty of the crime and the certainty of
justice greatly advanced thereby. 1t is
difficult to understand why the peculations
of these corrupt officials and The circum-
stances of their crime could not have been
presented to the jury in one month as well
as six. We suppose. however, that, out
of Difference for the eminent counsel en-
ployed by the government, it must be ad-
mitted that the peculiar nature of this re-
markable crime rendered the great prolix-
ity of detail in the evidence necessary.
This extraordinary case has been regard
ed by many as a practical indictment OF
the Republican party and its management
OF the public affairs of the country. The
great prominence of ex Senator Dorsey in
Republican politics, his intimacy with the
late Mr.. Garfield and other prominent
leaders, and his liberal contributions to
the campaign fund of the party, has given
additional force TO this view of the case,
and given rise to the suspicion that the
populations OF Dorsey and his CO -conspir-
ators were carried on with the knowledge
and connivance of Others high in Repub-
lican councils. 1t was recognition of
this political phase of the case,i is thought
that induced the present administration
to prosecute the case with so much vigor,
real or pretended, and employ a pro ninent
Democratic lawyer for the purpose. Had
a conviction been secured. and the con-
spirators been condemned to the punish
ment their great crime deserved; or Gas
was doubtless hoped by the administra-
tion) could the country, as we'll as the ig-
norant, obtuse and probably corrupt jury,
have been convinced of the innocence of
the defendants, then the political signi6-
canoe of the case would have been success
fully counteracted.
But the result of the trial has been far
different. The evidence in the case has
convinced the country of these dishonest
officials, and the enormity of their crime,
and this verdict has been heralded through
out the land by the almost unanimous
voice of the press, regardless of political
sentiment. The result has also been to
arouse in the minds of the people pain
full suspicion that official corruption can
never be adequately punished in a court
organized uuder Republican laws and a
jury selected under Republican legislation;
but that under such circumstances the