Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-05-09
THE FAILURE TO INDICr KEEL.
LOGG.
Foreman John II. Mitchell, OF the
Grand Jury OF March. 'S2. Before ths
Springer Committee.

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The Springer committee this morning began the
examination Of Mr.. John 7. Mitchell, the foreman
OF the first grand Jury which failed TO fndict ex-
Senator Kellogg in the star route cases Before
proceeding Mr. Mitchell said he would like for It 10
be determined how far the committe had right TO
question him to the action before the grand jury
by the oath Of secrecy.
This question was discussed, and the chairman
taking OF the testimony OF the members OF the
grand jury, and the committee would proceed with
the examination as the reason for secrecy no longer
MI Mitchell said that he had consulted one Of
tne Justices OF the Supreme Court OF the District
on thls point, and the Justice refused TO give ad-
him JudiciaIiy. ''~ ''~' -''0 ''0''
QUESTION THE WITNESS DECLINED TO ANSWER
Mr.. Mitchell said he was foreman Of the District
grand jury ofthe March term OF 1881. He declined
to answer the question as to whether any evidence
was presented to the grand Jury against ex-senator
Kellogg. Witness said that presentments We're
made against Kellogg, Brady and others; the grand
jury was in session three months Witness had
read the testimony OF George Bliss as to the cases
he submitted to the grand jury.
Ihe Chalrman-"ls there any part OF that testf-
mony 10 which you desire TO make or can make any
explanation?"
The witness replied in the Affirmative. and then
went on 10 read from Bliss testimony TO the effect
the Post ONCE department were very meager and
had. apparently, been lnterfered with-"mnked"-
some OF them stolen. he also read Bliss testimony
, tnaI ne ald not get all the witnesses he expected
before the grand jury.
Mr.. Crisp thought it was useless to read over tes
timony already before the committee.
MI. mitchell wanted to show by Bliss himself
that the jury
DID NOT HAVE EVIDENCE 10 INpICT sAUISBURY.
The witness said Bliss would sometimes enter the
grand jury room with immense baskets filled with
papers; so many papers that it was physical i'm
possibility for the jury to examine them. Bliss
would submit such abstracts to the Jury as he saw
nt, ana sometimes submitted papers. Witness
asked the court II the jury were expected to exam
In Inc an these papers The reply was they could do
SO II tney regarded them as OF value Witness said
that whenever the grand Jury adjourned and Bliss
retired he took all the papers with him. He never
lett any OF them and In the time the jury had they
could not possibly examine the papers. Witness
could not remember Just what papers were exam
1ned The oral testimony did not bear ont the doc
umentary In some cases.
Incidental matters" brought In as TO kellogg.
THE WITNESS coSrRADrcs WALSH.
walsh was examined, and he was the only wit
ness as to Kellogg. Walsh had papers, and some
OF them were read; didn't know why all OF them
were not read. Walsh was before the fury
about twenty minutes witness did not hear Bliss
say 1t was serious thing TO indict q. S Senator
had inquired OF two other members OF the jury,
VINO SAID they did not hear It. Witness could not
remember everything Bliss said, as he was talking
all the time The jury knew Kellogg was q Sem
ator. When the jury got through Bliss thanked
them, and expressed his entire satisfaction with
their work. He said he wanted one other indict-
ment, but admitted that the evidence presented
was not sufficient for an Indictment The Jury
prosecuted its inquiry witnesses we've presented
skipping about from case to case as witnesses ap-
peared: The notes OF testimony taken Were burnt
up In the jury room
NO MPRoPER INFLUENCE.
Mr.. Stewart asked II any improper influence from
any source was sought to be exercised upon the
grand Jury.
The witness replied that the jury was composed
OF the best class OF men, and he did not believe that
influence the jury. He did not believe that more
than hve members OF the jury knew any O. The
accused by sight. No testimony except that sub
mitted by the government counsel was before the
jury. Some members OF the jury had read Walshis
testimony In the Spofford- Kellogg contested case
and 1t was talked about, but received conSdera-
tfon as testimony. Witness did not think any effort
10 suppress testimony In the interest OF any body
was made from any source
This ended MI. Mftchels testimony.
THE FOREMAN OF THE THIRD GRAND JURY TO TEs-
THY TOMORROW.
The House committee on expenditures In the De-
partment Of Justice decided to make no fnyestiga-
tion OF ex-senator Kelloggs case except so far as
may be necessary to prove the good faith OF the
government officials In securing the Indictment.
MI. Walsh, who was SubpPnaed last week to ap-
pear as witness, was discharged. The committee
determined TO subpoena the foreman OF the third
grand jury In the Star route to testify tomor
row relative to any attempt that might have been
made to shield MI. Kellogg from Indictment