Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-03-07
THE STAR REUTERS.

ship and Who Signed Recommendation
Brady Increased the Expediting Bush
ness.
WASHINGTON, March 6.-The witness
Boone, was recalled in the star route
trial to-day and Jones' entries, which
Reerdel swore had been made by
Dorsey were submitted to witness. He hest
tated, looked carefully at the paper and
finally said, Il would not like to say posi-
lively who wrote this. My best Judgment
is that 1t was written by S. W. Dorsey or
Reerdel. l would not like to say which
one.
The Chico Springs letter from Dorsev to
Reerdel, dated April 3, 1873, was next
shown. The witness declared positively
that Dorsey did not write the letter. He
knew that Dorsey was in Washington at
that time, for he was in communication
with him that day.
The court interposed and asked if wit
ness knew who wrote the letter. He an
swered he would not like to say.
Witness was then turned over to the de-
Tense for cross-examination.
Ingersoll offered to prove that it was in
the usual course of business for defendants
to sign the names of each other.
The court refused the offer, saying it
would be proper when the defense was be-
gun.
Taking up "Smith' and ''Jones" memo
randum Ingersoll called witness attention
to the entry M. G. r., and asked his opin-
ion.
Witness asked if he might be allowed to
consider other circumstances in making
his answer.
The court responded in the negative
Witness thought the limitation was I'M
fair but finally said the memorandum down
to profit and loss favored Dorsey's hand
writing. The remainder which included
Smith and Jones' entries favored the hand
writing of Reedel. Witness again re-
verified to circumstances surrounding the
signature of papers but the court abruptly
babe him to drop the circumstances.
Witness explained when this fitting, this
lnterlining was done the parties purposely
disguised their handwriting so that speak
ing from writing alone, it would in many
cases be impossible to say who did the
writing.
While awaiting witnesses from the post
Office to show the revenues of the routes
some argument took place upon the ad-
INSTABILITY of evidence to show the prac-
tice of Brady's successor in regard to the
expedition. Bliss said Routt, who had
preceded Brady, made about a dozen
such orders for inconsiderable amounts,
whilst Brady beginning with twenty or
ders for large amounts in his first year
ran the number up to seventy or eighty in
his second year. He therefore thought it
proper to introduce such evidence,in proof
of the charge of improper expedition.
Ingersoll argued that during Routt's term
the country was suffering from panic, and
that the government had been compelled
to retrench equally with individuals.
The court said the matter had been dis
posed of during the first trial. 1t was TOO
large and vague an inquiry to go into at
this stage of the proceedings.
After recess counsel proceeded to ex-
anime several postofice auditors clerks to
prove the revenues AID productiveness of
different routes. In answer to an obiec-
ton from Wilson the court said it did not
understand that evidence was presented to
show that Brady knew how small were rev
enues from the routes, but the law re-
quired that expedition be made with due
regard to productiveness, and if an officer
made an expedition without such regard,
then 1t was proper matter of inquiry.
Court refused to allow Wilson to ask one
of the clerks if he knew how many star
routes paid expenses, holding that it was
not subject proper to touch upon in cross
examination.
The defense having objected that the
evidence of productiveness did not come
down to recent date, the court replied, If
they thought they could show that Brady
was so far sighted as to perceive expe-
dited routes would be productive within
few years, he ought certainly to have
credit for that course.
Ingersoll declared that as matter of
fact, there was not star route west of
the Mississippi river that was not oper-
ated at loss. He referred to the early
days of the overland route where the
government carried at cost of SIS letter
for which they received three cents.
How, he inquired, were they to draw the
line.
The court again quoted the limitation
imposed by the law upon expedition allow
ances. Certainly the governments evil
dence was competent when it embraced a
statement of revenues for two quarters,
before and after the expedition orders. If
the defense could show there be no abuse
of power and that orders had been wisely
made, they should not be excluded because
the government had not gone that far.
By mutual agreement the counsel waived
the reading of a number of official pa
pers, and Merrick said "that is the govern
ment's case, your honor" AS it wanted
only an hour of the usual hour of adjourn
ment, upon the motion of Mr.. Ingersoll
the court adjourned. The defense are ex-
pected to begin their case tomorrow.