The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-05-27
STAR ROUTES.
Mr. w. w. Her Tells What He knows
About the Trial

Mr. w. w. ker Tells What He Knows
About the Trial.
WARRINGTON, May 26.-Mr. W. w. Ker of
Philadelphia one of the counsel in the prosecution
of the star route cases, examined by Mr.. Sprn-
gers committee to-day. He said he was employed
Jan. 81, 1882. by the Attorney General to prepare
indictments. II told the Attorney General" he
continued, "that was Democrat, He replied
that it was not question of politics. but of the ad
ministration of Justice, and he asked to under.
take the work. About two days after L received
my commission Col. Bliss told me that must not
converse with Mr.. Cook and that must not allow
him to see the indictments. He also said that
should not converse with Mr.. Gibson, nor with Mr..
Corkhill. Col Bliss said the indictments must be
prepared before the fourth of March of the parties
would escape" Mr.. Ker referred to the indicting
81 wanted the full names Of Rerdell and Sander.
son. Col. Bliss said he did not know what they
we're and that It was impossible to get them tsld
Colonel Bliss that there might be trouble about it,
ne rSphe1 tnst The Christian names could not be
they were quashed for that reason In reply to a
questions, witness said that the parties named in
these indictments undoubtedly would have been
convicted on a fair trial. The Attorney General
wanted Mr.. Ker to examine the witnesses privately
and prepare abstracts Of their testimony for use by
Colonel Bliss on the trial, but Colonel Bliss pre-
preparing new indictments Walsh and Moore were
mentioned witnesses, but Bliss said they were of
Oau cuaIact6r AMI 10 0lscreu1U Lne, Cnat tneY were
not called; subsequently Mr.. Merrick found out
they would have proved valuable witnesses, and
was very angry at Bliss. Witness continued One
day about the middle of the first trial. Mr.. Mer-
rick met me and said, in an excited manner,
"WhRt do you suppose Bliss wants? He wants to
let Dorsey go?" suggested that he might have
thrown that out as an enpedient "Oh, no." he re-
piled. che meant it; he wants to let Dorsey go. He
also wanted me to 60 to the Attorney General and
say that three lawyers were too many in the case,
and to advise the Attorney General to dismiss you
and let himself and me remain / told him to 20
and tell the Attorney General that was anxious
to 60 and tell the Attorney General that anx-
ious to get out of the cases. Merrick replied that
would get out If left. He said he wanted me to
stay and help him watch Bliss. The Attorney Cen
eral was not told of this interview until told him
myself. ssf's ~
AT the beginning of the second tria1I was told to-
take charge of the witnesses and examine them be-
fore they appeared the stand. Bliss acQuiesced.
found Bliss the first tr al had not brought out
half they Knew. Then We had new Witnesses, and
the testimony of all was SO strong against Dorsey
that there was doubt of conviction It's strength
does not appear in the result interposed Mr.. Stew
art. II had nothing to do with the
result" was the reply. The first jury
would have convicted if it had not been for the
foreman. On the second jury there were men who
could not read or write. In the first trial we had
~ witnesses, 1880 papers, and 1896 pages of
printed testimony; in the second trial. $50 witness
es, 2,761 papers, and 4,48l pages of testimony.
"No wonder the jury didn't convict" said Mr..
Stewart.
Mr.. Ker will continue his testimony tomorrow.