New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-12
TWO STAR ROUTE INVESTIGATIONS.
W. A. COOKS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ELLIS
AND CONTRACTOR BROTT.

w. A. COOKS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ELLIS
AND CONTRACTOR BRoTT
WASHINGTON. March 11.-Wilham 4. Cook
was examined to-day by Mr. springer's Committee lie
asserted that he offered retainer OF $4,000 Dy
Colonel T. Wood defend the star Route men, but re-
fused IT, President Garfield had said TO him that the
cases involved his friends and that he wanted to
he communicat d with, but also desired the nvesgd-
ton To be impartial and thorough. The wit
ness expressed TO the President ms fear thai
there might violence in connection with the cases. ana
urged him to he careful in his movements. MI COOK
added that the trial OF Gueau the line Of nveNga-
ton which might shown that the assassin had as
sociale was not pursued lie had obtained the ahd'Ni
OF dealer in secondhand clothing, which asserted ''
Guitcau in company with other persons Sought u '"'
pistol IN the depoucu', store.
In reference 10 the ar Route prosecutions. Nj Cook
said No effort wil made TO secure an Indictment
against any person. S,cpt those interested IN the Dorsey
combination and they had only small percentage OF ne
rou,cs Nj Corkhu not in the prosecution ana II
was generally supposed that the star Reuters had corner
on him. Bliss cOnten slated the removal OF G"rhelu-l
don't mean that-of Is ukh,n. 1.-The witness said that
he never could find any reason for the sudden
adjournment Of the Gland Jury in the Star Route cases.
but suspected that Il was because Mr.. COrkh thought
the Statute Of Limit fous would be favorable 10 some %
the cases With SOHO yelJctancc he said that the Diane
for the failure Of tn Grand jury take cognzance OF
the star Route casc, TO be LAID on Mr. CorknIl en-
;
cases the witness had procured indictments against LAy
and Brott These have slumbered since The failure
10 convict persons indicted due 10 the fact that
the prosecution erred in presenting case too cOnp-
Gated which involved too Inany persons. He thought
the prosecution OF Dorsey aud Boone due TO personal
feeling against them the part of Bliss The witness
did not 20 to Brewster because lie was satisfied that
would have been useless for him 10 do When he did
offer sges Nj Brewster the latter reminded him
that he rewser largely indebted for his position
10 Bliss, who q friend Of the President.
MI Cook said that he practically ignored after
Arthur became President. Bliss caused arrests to he
made without letting him know OF the Gyldence " men
Mr. Cook protested to Attorney General Brewster the lat
ter said Od fellow don't get IN bad humOr and related
Greek fable. the moral Of which that he
must do things that he would not Otherwise
do because OF his Indebtedness to Mr.. Bliss
Mr. Cunk questioned al length by the committee con-
corning certain papers that had been In his possession
The House Committee Post Offices and Post Roads
of Representative Ellis Of Louisiana with The star Route
contracts, The inquiry was under the authority Of
resolution offered by Mr. Ellis in the House. Mr..
Ellis informed The committee That suOltruaS lAd
been issued Tor Post ONCE Inspector Woodward, Mr.
BrOit, Contractor who said 10 have paid Mr..
Ellis money aid ia securing star Route contracts lie
was there sworIl-contrary tne usual cust1ndt his
own request, ana IN hs testimony emphdtcdliy denied
To t'"' him ' for '' aiding i'' Mr. Blolt The latter
had piaccda denial OF ihc accusation ID writing IN thc
hands az INSPECTION Woodward The paper containing
the ac.I-to not signed hy amy body hut pmpored
70 a. CONVERSATION WIN Hlolt a'r' to NI
BrOtt, Dr. Peterson. CAPTAIN Sllo NI. IfdIArIr ana
other star Route contractors ana llEet iItA vas such as
Inspector Woodward testified That the ptlcr contain
ing the memorandum OF c0nN estlon WIN MI. biott
without Mr. BIous knowledge, some time after the CON
Vcrsation. 1t wa IN no sense an official paper copy
William 4 Cook. The vital point Of the con'c creation
was IN relation % the sixth Auditor ana the Deputy
Sixth Auditor The inference was that the memorandum
T6th lii,I Mr. sI m connection @h Ire charges
lstf bad ttHu Dol ID