Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-11
STAR ROUTE INvESTIGATION.
Examination of A. M. Gibson Before the
Springer Committees.

The examination of A. M. Gibson was
continued today before the Springer com
mittee. Gibson in his testimony said it was
hinted to him that the Attorney General and
Bliss wanted him to resign from the Star
Route prosecution. He did not know why,
and in an interview they both asked him to
go on with his work. Mr.. Milliken asked
the witness what he meant by saying that
they wanted him to resign.
"Gentlemen don't always mean what they
say" replied Gibson.
Then you mean they lied?" asked Mill
ken.
"Oh, | wouldn't use so harsh a word as
that" said the witness.
1--WE are dealing in plain statements here, =
interposed Miliken, land that is a good old
Anglo Saxon word"
II understand Bliss and Brewster wanted
me to resign. They wanted to manage and
control the cases themselves, and they did
not want such letters as had written to the
Attorney General.
"Dd you ever find any fault with the
cases 2"
THE grounds of my difference of opinion
was that a single case. a case involving one
or two routes, should be tried, and not one
involving 1874 routes, as did the case in which
Dorsey was interested. If you want my
theory or philosophy of cases | will give it. >
"Let us see about this we are not study
ing philosophy" suggested Mr.. Milliken.
Continuing, Mr.. Gibson gave as his theory
the following "In the first place. in the in
vestigation which was begun, the main OBJ
| ject seemed to be to get as much as possible
into the newspapers. The result was TO
raise expectations in the public mind which
were never realized. Dorsey was disturbing
the element owing to the fact that the gen
/ Al III IL
had made a speech at a banquet in New
York, in which he had eulogized him. For
political reasons think it was determined
to proceed against him without regard to the
strength of the case
$50 in your Judgment the government fell
compelled TO proceed in that case because
Dorsey was in it?' was asked.
The question ofisalarysmight have had some
thing to do with it, replied Gibson. "Wber
men get $500 dav, it is not human nature
to abbreviate." In explanation, the witness
referred to the Executive Departments, ant
said 'Mr. Geo. Bliss received Nov. 8, 1881
a retainer of 81, 800, and rendered January |
1882, bill for So, ,000-sbout sl70 per day
His expenses were additional. at the rate of
s7.77 per day. This was for a period Of 80
days of service, including two days at Elder
non making a contract with the government
He rendered another bill March 4, 1872, fo
S6.2O0, which was at the rate of SI05.70 pc
day for salary, and 80 per day in addition
| for expenses. No case was tried betweeI
Jan 10 and March.4. On March 26. 1882
another bill for 81 ,444 was rendered. s6.s0'
being fee, and the rest expenses. This
was for period of IS DAYS, at sl56 per day
for salary, and sl4.5O per day for expenses.
On Sept q, 1882, a bill for 200 for sal
ary, and ss63, 81 for personal expenses wa
rendered. This included a period Of IL day
services; at s2ll per day for salary. and 81:
day for expenses. Other charges we're eDum
Grated. The total amount for DIR. Bliss
services, including salary and personal ex
peuses is s54, 1872, an average of something
over $50 per day salary, and expenses 81
per day personal expenses. Mr.. Ken re-
ceived S3l ,9l4, and was actually employed
"a days, on an average Of sI30 day. He
made one of the most remarkable charges,
think, that anybody ever heard of; for pre-
pairing an indictment on the Star Route AM
Straw Bond cases, he charged 80 900. Ons
! of the indictments was abandoned, and
new one framed in its place by Merrick- Tn,
government paid, in all, for counsel fees ir
Washington, sl44, l46 Of which, beside thu
amount credited to Messrs. Bliss and Ken
Mr.. Brewster received 5000, Mr.. Merrick
S37 800, Mr.. Cook about 81 900, and my
self about 5000.