The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-29
He Never Had Any Personal Connection
with the Routes, and Acted in the
Interest of Friends.
Mr.. Kellogg Declares His Innocence
of the Price Charges.
Recommendation that Mare Island Navy
Yard BE Equipped for the Construc-
ton of Steel War Ships.
DORSEY'S EVIDENCE.
His Connection with the Star Routes Was
Merely in the Interest of Friends.

His Connection with the Star Routes Was
Merely in the Interest of Friends.
WASHINGTON, March 28.-Crowds of people
were waiting at the entrances to the Grim
1nal Court room this morning, before the
opening of the proceedings in the star-route
trial, but under the stringent regulations
imposed by the marshal few persons were
admitted besides members of the bar and
others having business in the court Alter
making few unimportant corrections of
the record, Mr.. Dorsey continued his testi-
mony. His letter to Postmaster Clenden-
nin of Fort Smith, Ark, was produced, and
he was asked his reason for cautioning Glen
denim not to allow Root, Kerens and
the approval of bonds. He explained that
the persons referred to were prominent mail
contractors, and it was very important that
they should know nothing of the proposed
bids, or they might knowingly underbid for
the service. His letter to Postmaster Hay
cock was also read, and the same explana-
ton given in regard to that. Counsel Of
fered to prove that the letter had been writ
ten at Boones suggestion, but the court
overruled the offer. Witness said that the
bonds sent to these postmasters were never
returned to him, and consequently never
used. He had no interest in the contracts,
and his attempt to secure bonds was friend
iy act; had done the same thing for other
persons, notably Mayor Adams, for whom he
secured bonds for $640000 That was also
only a friendly act. Referring to the pencil
entries of figures in the route book, he said
that Miner brought the book to him and he
changed only two entries He could not re-
member the routes or figures. Had advanced
money (about $4,000 or $1,000 to John w.
Dorsey & Co. The total sum loaned to all
Peck, Miner and John Dorsey-was $13, ,300
exclusive of $4,000 afterward paid to Peck
and $4,000 paid to John Dorsey The last
transaction was with Miner, at st. Louis in
July, 1878. Witness gave two notes to Miner
who had them discounted at the German
American Bank. Miner deposited $50 600 in
postal drafts as security. Witness returned
to Washington about Dec. 1, 1873, and found
that the bank had failed, and that Miner and
Peck had taken Vale into partnership. To
protect Vale, Miner (acting as agent for John
Dorsey and Peck) had transferred a
large number of sub-contracts to him.
The effect of that operation was to destroy
the security deposited with the bank. Wit
ness was not consulted about taking Vale
into business. After some difficulty, he gave
another note, and got Vale to give his note
as security for his original notes, and both
of them were retained in bank.
Up to the time of witness's leaving the
Senate, the relations between Vaile and
himself were much strained, because wit
ness's advances had not been repaid, and
Peck and John Dorsey had been cut out of
business After much consultation an ar
rangement was finally entered into, in March,
1879, by which witness took one-third of the
routes-about thirty in number-and paid
Peck and John Dorsey $40, 900 each.
He employed Rerdell to attend to these
routes at the same time, in April. 1879 but
he retained his position in the District gov
ernment until May, 1879. Rerdell took gen.
eral charge OF the routes. He was not in
structed to open any books; there was no
occasion for it. Witness had his own books
Rerdell did keep a route book, but witness
did not see it until year afterward Wit
ness described his movements in detail dur
ing 1878, 1879 and 1880, subsequent to the
division of the routes
FAILURE TO REALIZE PROFITS.
Witness made an arrangement with James
Bosler in regard to the routes. Could not
say whether the arrangement was made here
or in New York. Rerdell remained in charge
of the routes after that arrangement. Wit
ness never had any connection whatever
with the routes held by Miner and Vaile
after the division; never realized any profits
from them, and did not see Miner or Vale
after that until the beginning of this action.
Witness's recollection in regard to his thirty
routes was that i'll some cases drafts were
given to him covering the entire contract
period, and in others sub-contracts were
given. Rerdell also held some sub-contracts
Was in Washington on April 3. 1873, the
date OF the Chico Springs letter. Never saw
Andrew w. Moore but once, and did not
know him. In July, 1878. Moore was at wit
ness house. 1ngerSoll read from Moore's tes-
timony his statement of his interview with
Dorsey about the mail service. Witness de-
clared that he never had conversation of
three words with Moore in the world. His
statement was lie made out of whole CLOTH
Witness gave checks to Miner in April, 1878,
but did not know whether or not they were
intended for Moore. Perhaps Miner has told
him something of that kind. but witness did
not now remember the $3.50 check which
Moore said had been given to him. 1t was
given to Miner, Peck & Co. Nearly all of
Moore's statements concerning witness were
denied in the broadest ann most emphatic
terms.
Witness did not recollect that he had ever
requested Rerdell to help Miner prepare
bids. Miner stopped at witnesses house as a
guest during December, 1877, and had the
use of the upper Office. If Rerdell did any
work for witness at that time it consisted of
writing few letters when he called at the
house during the evening. Witness had
nothing to do with the preparation of pro-
posals on that memorable night as testified
to by Rerdell. The only grain of truth in
that story was the circumstance OF his
sending Rerdell to Boone's house for box OF
papers.
Wftnesss reason for taking such an active
interest in the success of the business, and
for sending Rerdell out to help John Dorsey
start the Tongue river route Mas to protect
friends who had become bondsmen on the
contracts from the disastrous consequences
of m fo;Irra of opv of the routes In rafer-