National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-12

that season of tho year. | was
never able to ascertain any roasOn
for tho adjournment unlossit was because the
statute oc limitation would operate in favor
of number Of the eases. Corkhill did not
consult with me- and so far as | know he did
not consult with anybody concerning the
discharge of the jury. lie claims to have
spoken with Attorney General MacNoagh,
but there seems to be difference Of opinion
on that subject. Corkhill said TO mo on ono
occasion that he had nothing special TO lay
before the grand jury, and did not know that
/ would have"
q. 10 whom would you attach the blame
in this matterW
"The blume would attach to the district
attorney. | can not tell his purpose. Tho
impression was on my mind that the adjourn-
ment was made SO as to prevent an indict-
mont being found in the star route cases.
That may have been an unkind Inference"
Mr. Cook said that Mr. Bliss assumed tho
leadership very soon after coming into tho
case Witness had procured indictments
against Lilly and Brott, but they had never
been touched. Mr.. Woodward antagonizod
the indictments. Witness was never allowed
to 20 before tho grand jury. Bliss doubted
whether witness could 60, but Bliss and kcr
both went Witness thought he could have
secured conviction, as the jurie5 were COM
posed of honest men.
Being asked to name tho honorable men,
he mentioned Mr. William Dickson, foreman
of the first jury, and Mr.. Crane, foreman Of
the second.
Witness said that tho failure to convict re-
suited partly from the selection of too COM
plicated q case, which the jury could not un-
derstand, and partly from the weakness Of
the method of trial.
"Why was that case taken instead of
strong oneY
lin my Office one day, in speaking OF that
case, when 1 endeavorod to call Bliss atten-
tcntion TO it, he said he intended to try Dor
soy. Dorsey and Boone he called the head
devils and he stated that he intended to
pursue them first. Unquestionably there
was personal feeling on the part Of Bliss
toward Dorsey and Boone"
If he had been the jury, Mr.. Cook said, he
should have returned verdict that the de-
PENDANTS were not proven guilty. lie had
made no recommendations to Mr. Brewster
because he thought it would be useless. Ho
had Mr.. Brewster's confidence and eulOgy,
but Mr.. Brewster was largely indebted TO Mr..
Bliss, the intimate friend of tho President,
for his position, and said he must allow him
to conduct the case. Bliss was consulted,
witness was not. President Arthur said in
message that he had directed the distiu-
guished counsel to press the star route cases.
Witness thought, as the President had said
nothing to him about 1t, that he was not
considered ono of the distinguished attorneys.
President Garfield had given special instruc-
tions to witness and evinced an earnest
desire to prosecute any one involved, ire
spective of persons.
Mr.. Cook read his letter of recognition.
Mr.. Brewster said it surprised him, but he
must accept it. He said the cases had been
committed to Mr. Bliss by the postothce
department.
The witness then asserted that Bliss had
made certain without letting him know of
the evidence. bliss wrote me letter"
Mr.. Cook continued, "in which he said he
had issued warrants for the arrest of Boone
and others. He said to me, DO as you
please; say you know all about it or
nothing about it, That was a commits
sion from Bliss for me TO lie. | asked
the attorney general if he had given Bliss
authority to act without consulting me- He
again repeated that he owed his appointment
TO Bliss, and said to me, Old fellow, don't ret
in bad humor.' Then he related Grecian
fable"
I'VE are not going into Greece" suggested
Mr.. Milliken.
"The attorney general said | must do things
that would not otherwise do, because of my
Indebtedness to Mr.. Bliss. | said j could not
accept the commission to lie and left"
Mr.. Cook was questioned at length concern
ing papers which had been in his possession,
the members of tho committee desiring to
know whether they could have been removed
without the knowledge Of the witness. The
examination of Mr.. Cook will bo continued
to-day.