National Republican., 1883-01-20
TIE srAR ROUTE rR1A1.
Lively Coiloquics Between CounseI-The
Judge Promises Physical Enforcement
OF the Rules

lively ColIoquics Between CounscI-The
Judge Promises Physical Enforcement
OF the Rules
In the star route trial yesterday, a motion
by Gen. Hcnkle to exclude o certain paper
from evidence, led TO wrauge between tho
COUNSEL in the course of which Mr.. Merriok
remarked that there were some papers that
the defense did not want.
Mr. Ingersoll replied that they wanted no
papers that were not competent evidence
They had right to object TO any other papers
without having their course commented upon
as suspicious. The court agreed with this
view of the matter, and informed the prose-
Cution that they must further identify the
paper. John VI. Major, sub-contractor on
the route from Redding to Alturas, CAL, was
then placed upon the stand. He testified
that he carried passengers in addition to the
mail making the trip in sixty hours in win
ter and forty-two hours in summer although
the original contract schedule was 105 hours.
Mr.. Ingersoll objected to the evidence
because IL did not tend TO show fraud. His
argument was supported by several quaint
prcsumptive cases. illustrative of the points.
| Mr.. Bliss replied by asserting that the ovi-
dence offered would provo that Brady made
extravagant and unnecessary orders. ltwould
also throw light upon the methods preparing
petitions.
Mr.. 1ngersoll appealed to the court to rule
out the evidence. The prosecution had been
cropping around in the garret of the imagina-
| tion seeking for stray cuts and broken wheels.
| The whole crime seemed to be that the con-
| tractor made money. IL was n notorious fact
| that tho government was the hardest pay
master in the world to deal with. The steps
of the capitol had been worn hollow by the
footsteps of claimants; the buttons had been
| nearly all torn from the coats of congressman.
/ Il Ia.
story of n claimant who came here in 1912,
| hitched his horse to the railing of the treas
ury, and went in, after explaining that ii
would take him about an hour to collect his
claim. ellis grandchildren are still trying to
collect that claim" said Mr.. Ingersoll. "Tho
man has passed away; the horse has passed
away, and oven tho post at which he was
hitChed has been worn away" Laughter.
Tho court finally decided to admit the cvi.
dence, saying that it dcspaired of ever getting
the counsel to understand its position. They
seemed to believe that the court should only
deal with abstract questions of law. He had
not said word to the jury.
A number of exceptions were noted.
Conversation between the witness and
Dorscy's agent were ruled out upon objections
by the defense.
James Mccormick, postmaster Mt Redding
CAL, testified as to the time occupied in max
ing the trip over the route.
Another wrangle was caused by an attempt
of the defense to put in q paper which they
asserted would show that the failures on
these routes were from causes beyond theii
control.
The court refused to allow the paper in evi
dence at this stage. But counsel persisted
and n lively passage occurred between Tho
court and counsel
Mr.. Bliss resented the imputation that ht
had suppressed papers.
Mr.. Ingersoll said he did not charge him
he Just let the paper itself do that. He de
sired the court to read the paper; he wished
it to see what papers the prosecution refused
to produce. His request was refused, and the
court sharply reminded the gentleman tina
he could not but be conscious that he wa
violating all rules of practice.
Mr.. lngersOll. / am not rs smart as th
court thinks l am. just let me read th
paper.
The Court. But don't want to hear 1t.
Mr.. Merrick asserted that the paper wa
already in evidence, Other counsel Joined il
the discussion, and the confusion becam
greater. The court called for order and eX
claimed with warmth: II will not hea
another word on the subject. l shall inter
pose with physical force to arrest this dis
order"
This stern injunction had its effect AM
quiet was restored. Mr. Bliss proceeded wit
. the presentation Of auditors reports and war
rants.
The court then adjourned until Monday.