National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-08
A new STAR ROUTE WITNESS.
Remarkable Revelations by Ex-senator Spen-
cor, Late Of Alabama.
An Active Promoter Of the Star Route
Investigation,
How Postmaster General James Got Into tho
Cabinet
Mr.. Spencer Obtains Legal Advice From
Ex-senator ConllIng.


resident of Nevada was examined yesterday
by Mr.. Springer's committee in relation to
star route affairs. Mr.. Spencer said that
early in January, 1881, he met Mr.. james,
then postmaster of New York, walking on
Broadway, who asked him to go with him
TO his Office. While there Mr.. James told him
that he (James) wanted to 20 into Garflelds
cabinet as postmaster general. Mr.. Spencer
promised to assist him. After he was APP
pointed Mr.. Spencer told him that no had
an opportunity that few man had in life
time to make q great reputation he could
make tho postoiflce department solf.sustain-
ing the first year, and that the next yosr he
could reduce the postage to conts. This
could be done by breaking up tho star route
ring.
Mr.. Spencer exacted promise from Mr..
James that what he said should be strictly
confidential Gen. Garfield subsequently
promised that what was said on this subject
should not be made public. It was at Mr..
Spencer's suggestion that Mr. woodward was
selected to take general charge of the investi-
CATION. Mr.. Tyner objected to Woodward's
appointment. Mr.. Spencer remained in
Washington three months after the investi-
CATION began, being engaged most of the time
in getting up evidence.
Mr.. Spencer called tho attention Of Mr..
James to q route in the west on which service
three times week performed. Brady said
the service was being performed seven times
q week, but an inspector afterward reported
the facts as Mr.. Spencer had given them.
Mr.. Spencer remained in Washington till
after President Garfield was shot. He in the
meantime came to the conclusion that beyond
saving the government two OF three million
dollars year the investigation would be o
failure. The service would BIO reformed, but
there was no evidence by which conviction
could be obtained. Receiving no pay for
what he was doing, he paid little attention to
the subject, and Ia the latter part of March.
1882, went to Nevada and remained until
June.
Mr.. Spencer then gave an account of his
return to New York; of his being subpenaed
to appear in Washington; of his coming hero
and remaining two weeks; of his efforts,
alone and with Secretary Chandler, to secure
an interview with Mr.. Bliss.
"While was sitting in the bar Of one Of
the hotels with Secretary Chandler one day"
said Mr.. Spencer, "Bliss came up to Mr..
Chandler, and they went out and talked two
or three hours. l interrupted them several
times, but Bliss said he did not want to see
me. He told Secretary Chandler that he
desired not to SEQ me until l went on the
stand, and if l didn't swear to what he
expected he would cross examine me. re-.
NAMED here until the court adjourned, went
to New York and showed Senator Conkling
my subpoena. He said it was not in legal
form, and advised me to go and attend to my
business. asked If my staying in Washing
ton had not waived my right to leave. He
said no, and followed his advice.
Mr.. Spencer gave in detail an account Of
| his arrest in Nevada, November last, for con-
tempt, and of his scquittal in Judge Wylie's
court. II want to state" he said, that Of
my own knowledge l knew of no material
fact that would be admitted as evidence that
l d. .,.aA II.
Chandler this was stated to Mr.. Bliss.
The witness referred to the testimony given
| on Thursday by ext Postmaster General James
in which he said that Mr.. Dorsey had gone to
Senator's Spencer's room, and said: See how
/ do business" whereupon he placed 5000
or $4,000 in an envelope, put it on table,
and Brady came in, took the envelope and
money, and left. Il did not say that had
seen Brady and Dorsey in room together
l never saw Dorsey pay Brady any money.
| Mr.. James was mistaken. We have talked so
much on these star route Investigations that
he may have got things mixed. II / made
such statement must have been drunk,
and / am not in the habit of getting drunk"
Continuing, Mr.. Spencer said that in June,
1851, he was sitting in his room in New York
with Maj. Park. Dorsey came in greatly
excited. Maj, Park retired, and Dorsey then
told Spencer that he had heard Rerdell had
gone back on him. Spencer replied that he
was so situated that he could not tell him
anything, "
"Then you understand" asked Mr.. Stow
art, member of the committee, "that the
statement of Mr.. James concerning tho pay
ment Of money by Dorsey to Brady was made
out of whole clothP
81 certainly never heard Of the payment Of
money. Dorsey at one time was very bitter
on Mr.. Brady, and was anxious for his
removal assecond assistant postmaster gen.
ersl."
The witness then testified concerning the
star route prosecutions. II always felt" he
said, THAT the government took the most
complicated case. / felt az if it were mas
querading before the public and couldn't see
why q complicated case should be taken when
there were some that were not so complicated.
don't think that anybody was ever prose.
cuted except the Dorsey combination, that
held about 15 per cent of the expedited
routes, in my recollection the smallest per
cent"
In answer to inquiries Mr. Spencer gave
the name, and as far rs he remembered, the
| per cent. Of the expedited routes, among
Others the Sanderson combination. Sander
son was originally indicted, /" the witness said,
''but his name was dropped out, was told,
because of his initials. There was scandal
gossip connected with the talk of why q
second indictment was not found, but rs do
not know anything ms fact, donot like to
repeat it,"
'Were these efforts made to compromise
these cases?' Mr.. Springer inquired.
II think Mr.. Elmer told me an agreement
had been made to compromise. | think he
said IL was from tho larger contractors and
combinations. They asked for arbitration,
and said they were willing to pay back tho
money if tho government proved that it had
been taken illegally. Tho arbitration board
was TO consist OF one man representing tho
government; one man representing tho con-
tractors; these two to select third. Mr..
Elmer said he had been selected on the part
of tho government, and Mr.. Ingersoll on the
part of the defendants"
"Had the third man been selected ?" asked
Mr.. Springer.
mot tnRt ! remember distinctly"
Wasn't it Mr.. BlissW
IL think it was. l understood the board
never met, such action being entirely ille-
gal"
Did contractors pay anything for having
routes inCreasedY
"Three or four years ago contractors and
subContractors talked about star route mat
tiers publicly Since my connection with the
investigation they would not talk to me. 1t
was an open secret that they had to pay 33t
per cent. for tho eXpediting and increasing of
the service. No one told me that in the
shape that | cOnld swear TO il, but ! never
had any doubt but what il was a fact. 1t
was supposed to 20 TO the second assistant
postmaster general, but l wasn't in the secret
and do not know certainly"
Mr. Spencer said he was anxious to break
thu star rOuIp ring To vi nlipata Mf Hiuda