The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-03-07

The Star

Washington, 6,-The government has
practically closed the prosecution in the
star route case. There is great interest
to know what the line Of defense will be,
from the announcement made some time
ago that Dorsey and Brady would be
put upon the stand. Dorsey has recov-
cred his eyesight sufficiently to warrant
this. The defense has as yet given no
public indication of their purpose. Mer-
rick says il Dorsey and Brady are
put upon the stand the government Will
have 8 good deal of rebutttpg testimony.
One thing you can be sure about, and
that is they won't call Buell. to the stand.
There was a good deal Of cursiDg among
them when he was called at the last
trial.
The witness again alluded to "cir-
cumstapces surrounding the signature
on papers, " but the court abruptly babe
him to drop the circumstances" Wit
uefs explained that when this filling in
and interlining was done, the parties
purposely disguised their handwriting;
so that speaking from writing alone it
would, in many cases, be Impossible to
say who done the writing.
While awaiting witnesses from the
postofice to show the revenues of the
routes, argument took place upon the ad-
instability of the evidence 10 show the
practice of Brady's measures in regard
VINO had preceded Brady, made but q
dozen such orders for .inconsiderable
amounts, whilst Brady beginning with
twenty orders for large amounts in his
first year, ran the number up to seventy
or eighty In the second year. He there
fore thought it proper to introduce such
evidence in proof of the charge Of inn
proper expenditure. IngersolI argued
during Routt's term the country was
suffering from q panic, and that the gov
eminent had been compelled TO retrench
equally with individuals. The court
said the matter had been disposed of du-
ring the first trial. 1t was too large and
vague an inquiry to go into at this stage
Of the proceedings.
After recess, Kerr, proceeded to ex-
anime several postofice and auditors
clerks to prove the revenues aud pro-
d%uctiveness Of different routes who, in
answer to an objection from Wilson, the
Court said it not understand that the
evidence was presented to show that
Brady knew how small were the reve-
nues from Route B, as the law required
that expedition be made with due regard
to productiveness, and if an officer made
expedition without such regard. then it
was proper matter for enquiry, The
Court refused to allow Wilson to ask
n of the clerks'if he knew how many
star routes paid expenses, holding that it
was not q subject proper to touch upon
in cross-exRminAtion,
Witness Boone recalled in star route
trial. and "Jones" entries which Rerdell
swore had been made by Dorsey were
submitted to witness. He hesitated,
finally said, | would not like to say
positively who wrote that. In my best
Judgment they were written by 8. w.
Dorsey or Rerdsll; would dot like to say
which. The Chico Springs letter from
Dorsey TO Rerdell, dated April 8, '79,
was next shown witness, who declared
positively that Dorsey did o write that
letter. He know that Dorsey was in
Washington At that time, for he was in
communication with him that day.
The court interposed and asked il he
knew who wrote the letter. He answered
l would not like to say. Witness was
then turned over to the defense for cross
examination. Ingers0ll offered 10 prove
it was in the usual course of business for
the defendants to sign the name Of each
other. The court refused the offer saying
it would be proper when the defense be-
gan taking upISmith sndJones memoran-
dunn Ingersoll called the witness at
tention to the entry II. Q. R. and asked
his opinion.