Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-04-06
FROM WASHINGTON.
The STAR ROUTE.
vaiIe's Examination Continued Thurs.
day.

Brady prior to his intercession for Miner in
July, 1878.
He had some mail contracts at that time,
but could not say they were in his own name.
Did not know when or how he became ac-
quainted with Miner. Had no special infiu-
ence with Brady and did not know why Miner
had requested him to see Brady in his be-
half.
Brady was at perfect liberty to declare
Miner. Peek Il Co. failing contractors at any
moment in August, 1873. He had refused
Miners offer to give him the routes. He
did not want to cut Miner out; knew that
other persons had advanced money on the
routes, and he (witness) not being over self
ish resolved that if he could help Miner he
would. OF course he could have made a
great deal of money by allowing them to
tail. There were very few contractors in
Washington at that time, and the witness
could have made large sum by conspiracy
with them in this way: Agree with Sauls-
bury To take the Oregon contract, or to take
another section, and the witness would take
the third section. Then figures could be
put up to almost any amount with the CERTAIN
ity of getting the contracts. But the wit
ness did not wish to take advantage of the
government. but rather to benefit it, and
then, too, he did not wish to crush Miner.
-Quesiion-Could you not have helped the
government just as much by contributing to
the national debt?
Answer might have.
Q.-Who were the persons you referred
to as having advanced money:
A.-Miner said that S. w. Dorsey had adj
vanced money. That was in July.
Q-You knew that he was a senator and
so did not find Miner so lonely as you have
described?
A.-Dorsey was away and Miner was
much alone as he could be.
Witness did not know that Miner could
bring Dorsey's influence to bear in his favor.
As it stood when he assumed his duties, the
service was unprc fitable. after the division of
the routes. Witness offered Miner the priv
ilege of joining him or S. w. Dorsey, and he
consolidated his interest with that of witness
Did not believe that expedition had been the
order upon the Fort McDermott, Canon City
route before the beginning of the service.
Bliss inquired if the mail on Tongue River
route could have been carried on the original
schedule for the contract price $3.50 without
a loss.
Witness was sure that he could not have
carried at that price; had no knowledge of
the number of men and animals used on that
route, nor the expense of equipment. He
kept the running expenses in his head, and
ndl UO DOOks Tic TcCtlpte duu ca
penses. The government and banks kept
their accounts. Did not remember definitely
when the Tongue River service was cut down
by the department. 1t was some time in
1881.
There were quarters when the expenses of
the route exceeded 200 or S20,0 900 and
vet the pay was so diminished by deduction
that they received only $4,000 in some quar-
tiers. Had not thrown up the route at once,
because he oould not say that it would prove
loss until he had experimental with it I'M
der expedition.
Bliss wished to know how a route origi-
nally improbable could be made to pay by
prOportionaie expedition.
The witness SAID it would not, and if he
had noticed the terms of the coptract when
he assumed it, he would have thrown it up.
Jennings letter was read and the witness
having admitted its authorship was questioned
at some length upon the subject.
The witness admitted having made an fiji
davit upon the Vermilion Sioux Falls route
without having any positive knowledge of
men and stock required. The service was
described at length by witness. He said it
was often necessary to send guards with the
mail and there were no white men between
the termini.
Three hundred miles of wilderness.
commented Mr.. Merrick.
The financial arrangements between wit
ness and other defendants were examined
into at great length, and witness told how
the debts had been divided up. Witness had
negotiated with S. w. Dorsey about buying
the other men out in December, 1873; it was
about the time when the trouble occurred
about the German American Bank.
Bliss referred to the fact brought out in
Rerdell's cross-examination, that Rerdell had
borrowed money from Vale.
Witness said it was entirely a business
transaction between Rerdell and himself
Rerdel had informed him that he contem-
plated going over to the government before
the witness loaned him money: never told
Rerdell that he (witness) and Miner had
been talking over the ACCESSIBILITY Of going
over to the government, said the witness.
Rerdall told me he in communication
with the government. asked him what he
knew. At first he said he did not know any
thing, but afterwards said, 81 am full, am
full" asked him how he could go to the
stand after making so many conflicting state
ments. He said the government did net
want him to go upon the stand, they only
wanted him TO give them points. He pos
itivelv denied Rerdell's statements in regard
to that conversation.
The cross examination was then closed
The redirect examination was confined to
few unimportant questions and at its con-
clusion John w. Dorsey was called.
Ingersoll conducted the examination. Wit
ness pleaded i'll health and was allowed to
give his testimony in sitting posture.
Dorsey detailed with particularly how he
came to be associated with Peck in the mail
business and related conversation he had
with his brother Stephen, about going into
partnership with Peck. His brother had en-
deavored to dissuade him from embarking in
the businegs but he (witness) could not see
how it would result in loss if the contracts
were carried out. and finally went into the
business. Witness denied ever having con-
spired with anyone to defraud the govern
ment. He had spoken to Brady but once in
life.
Witness consulted the memorandum and
promptly informed his counsel where he
might find the disputed point in the evidence.
Ingersol smilingly remarked that the wit
ness seemed to know more about it than the
whole outfit.
The court said he seemed to know what
questions would be asked him.
The witness denied this, and said he did
not know what had been said about him.
Moore's testimony was referred to where
he says that John Dorsey told him that he
brought him on here to go into business of
which he knew nothing and he wished him