Daily Republican., 1884-03-15
Had 0u,se.. Assemblies

WASHINGTON, March 12.-In tn
Star Route investigation to-day, viii
liam A. Cook, Of counsel for the Gov
eminent In the recent prosecutions
testified that, shortly after his appoint
ment, he had an interview with Presi
dent Garfield. The latter had said tina
the cases involved many who had beef
his special friends, and, while he ex
pected the counsel TO act under the At
torney General. he wanted 1t under
stood that he was the head Of the peo
pie, and be desired the witness 10 com
municate with him ut any hour on tn
cases under consideration. The Presi
dent said " want . most thoroug 81
and impartial investigation Of tn
facts, and wherever 1t conducts yoI
l want you to go, irrespective Of per
sons"
"Of the conversation at tho interview
on Wednesday night before the Presi
dent was asssssinated. already mention
ed in the Press dispatches, Mr.. Cook
said " said TO the President that he
shou Id be careful of his movements. A
bitterness had arisen between the
'Stalwarts and Half-Breeds,' and
there we're connected with the cases
men of extreme views. l said 1t the
time there might be q resort TO violence,
such was the impression then on my
mind.
my suggestion for moment touched
the President, but he responded there
was no danger. The bitterness Of feel
ing was 90 strong that would not have
s,pia al hnI -fxaN
against the Postmaster General and the
Attorney General. l don't think used
at that interview the language actually
placed on my lips by MI. James, but
stated, In substance, what have given
you. The idea had was that the feel
ing Of bitterness was 40 strong that 1t
might operate on the minds of some Of
those involved 10 such an extent ~ to
lead to violence-that 1t might assume
tho form Of desperation.
In answer to the question II any
efforts had been made to learn II
Guiteau had any accomplish. tho wit
ness said ~ went to the Office Of the
District Attorney and suggested
that line of investigation. l
went further and sent letter to the
General and said l weuld
prefer my assistance in the prosecution
Of Guiteau without compensation. The
line OF investigation that would have
led to the proof that Guiteau had asso-
ciates was dropped. IDever received
IN answer from my letter to the Attor
ney General, except . statement that
Tho President had selected others TO
prosecute the cases.
Tho inference drew originally was
that the shooting Of the President was
not the result Of the individual action
If Guiteau. and l have never become
'ully satisfied that that inference was
Incorrect. l could not conceive 1t pos |
Iible that he had been around Washing. |
on for . considerable time without
orming acquaintances.
"He could not have been here az
Kermit, and he must have had asso-
,iates. think so still. In addition,
he act was 20 bold and daring, and ut
he same time 80 cowardly, that it
eemed he would not have attempted it
without acsOmplices. And this was in
with what had suggested to
he President In connection with the |
bitterness Of feeling and the differences
'etween the Stalwarts and Half
Breeds"
In the further course of Mr.. Cooks
Examination he claimed that both the
weakness Of the case and the method of
rial resulted in the acquittal of Dorsey
nd Brady. Being asked II he recon-
nended TO the Attorney Genera, when
e resigned, who should bs indicted.
he witness replied : 81 made no
TO Mr.. Brewster, be-
ause was satisfied that it would have
zen useless for me to have done so.
Because when | went to him AMI
ffered suggestions, he said must re-
member that he was largely indebted
or his position to Bliss. Mr.. Bliss was
n intimate frierd of the President.
he Attorney General said he must al
Nv him to conduct the case. The sug.
estions of Mr.. Bliss were accordingly !
arried out and my suggestions were of
o consequence.