The Indianapolis journal., 1884-06-16
THE sTAR-ROUTE INQUIRY.
Continuation of Merricl<'s Testimony BefUr,
the Springer Committee.

Continuation of Merricll's Testimony Before
the Springer Committee.
WASHINGTON June 14-R. T. Merrick con
tinued his testimony before the Springer com
mittee to-day. Witness said Hutchinson, fore
man of the grand jury which failed to indict
Kellogg, called at his house last night and main
tanned that he Hutchinson was correct in his
testimony, that the jury expected Price 10 sup
plement Walshs testimony Merrck told
Hutchinson he must be mistaken, as it was
known that Price was not available and could
not appear. Merrick insisted to Hutchinson
that the latter must have misunderstood Bliss.
Hutchinson had declared that Bliss promised
the jury that Price should follow Walsh in his
testimony before the grand jury Hutchinson
insisted to Merrick that he was not mistaken;
that Bliss did positively promise that Price
should appear after Walsh and testify
before the jury in the Kellogg case.
Hutchinson stoutly maintained his position,
and said that as Price did not appear after it
was promised by Bliss, the jury did not iudict
Kellogg. Mer1ick said his understanding with
the other counsel was that Price was not ex-
pected before the grand jury and hence his
irmness in insisting at first that Hutchinson
must have been mistaken in saying that Bliss
had promised to produce Price Price was sub
against Kellogg, and Price prepared a statement
which witness considered sufficient to fasten
guilt upon Kellogg Bliss was strongly opposed
to using Price as a witness against Kellogg, and
when the Attorney general finally decided to ac-
cept Price Bliss declared that he would with
draw from the case, and did retire for one day,
and witness and Ker went or without him.
Finally Bliss was persuaded to return Speak
ing Of the indictment against Kellogg Merlick
said that in his judgment it was as good and as
solid as any that ever went into court of JUS
tice. Merrick maintained that the payment of
money to Kellogg, and not the passage of a
draft to him, was the offense. He could not say
why that issue was not tried, as he did not try
the case.
The chairman inquired about the conference
between government counsel, testified to by &er
in which Bliss stated that kellogg had admitted
to him that he did receive money. from Price,
but not for personal use, that it was for political
use.
Mr. Merrick said he thought there was such a
conversation.
Mr.. Bliss, who sat by, spoke up, saying Kel-
logg did not make such statement to him. He
said that he Bliss called upon Kellogg in pur-
suance to a letter from the Attorney general.
Kellogg admitted that he had asked Price for
money for political uses; that Price claimed he
had no money but finally said he had some post
Office drafts, and if Kellogg could get them cash
ed he would let part of the money go for politi-
cal use if desired Kellogg maintained that he
got no benefit from the money, but he took that
means of getting money for political purposes
from Price who was interested in political
object in view in Louisiana
Mr. Merrick denied Mr.. Walshs statement
that he (Merrick) had said Secretary Chandler
approached him on behalf of Kellogg. Chandler
had never spoken to him the subject
Mr. Walsh's testimony, to the effect that
Nerrick had told him that Bliss had betrayed
the interest of the government was referred to,
and Mr. Merrick was asked if he had said that
Witness said that when Walsh first disclosed
to him the evidence he had given to the grand
jury about Kellogg, he (Merrcl was very much
surprised that he had not been told of it by
Bliss. He might have said in substance to
Walsh that if his statement was correct and true
the governmenthad been betrayed or something
to that effect Mr. Bliss had not thought the test-
mony as strong against Dorsey as against Others
and said that if DOrseyw out the others could
be convicted. Witness admitted that he felt
some suspicion growing out of the knowledge of
the past close relations between Bliss and
Dorsey He did not believe that Bliss would be
delinquent in his duty. but he did believe that
iii his heart Bliss did not want Dorsey convicted.
Merrick said he looked upon Dorsey as the
originator and center of the whole scheme; that
he inspired it and the master mind
Bliss will be heard again Wednesday next.