Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-03-05
STAR ROUTE INVESTIGATION.
Of Ex-POsfmassef General
James,

STAR ROUTE INVESTIGATION.
Testimony Of Ex-Posiuaassef General
james.
HSfoHf % rKI yHGuNINs or m PROSECUTIONS.
Ex-Fostmastsr General James and e1-Atoorney
General MacVeagh were examined to-day By Mr..
OF the Department Of Justice In the prosecution OF
the star route caseA OF the committee thsre were
present Representatives Springer, Stewart, Fyan,
Crisp, Henphfl, Bowen and MNuken.
MR.. JAMRs SAID
his attention was nrst specifically called to the
matter BY ex-Cnited States Senator GeorRe z
Spencer. OF Alabama, and other weuinforned gen.
temen 1t was their belief that millions Of dollars
had been wasted in unnecessary ''star" service
and which was procured by improper
means means II was also maintained that an
cable retrenehments without desriment to the SER
wee wee winch would not only make the Post once
department self-sustaining, but would yield re-
spectacle revenue to the Treasury.
THE OPPOSITION TO Mr. JAMES ArfourxrTr no GAR
FIELDS CABINET.
continuing, M James said: THAT entertained
such views was more or less well known The pub
hc1ty given TO them added to the fact that, while
postmaster at New YORK, when asked by stephen
large number OF papers connected with the con-
tract ONCE OF the Post ONCE department. refused
5 The bitter 70
oped In certain quarters
went TO Washington on the night OF the "a OF
from MI: whitelaw Reid, which I understood TO
represent
GIN. GARFlIID's DESIRE.
On the ID called on him in company with Mr..
Reid. between and 10 q N. Mr.. Reid said, In sub
stance addressing Gen. GArneld, that he had asked
nm o. ho 90 AID hoA
desired. and had told me it was In refer
ence TO some suggestion Of my name for Postmaster
General; that had said that II The Treasury de-
tie way and that :. Ssd had S
assured me that Yves now settled Gen. 0arneld,
a me, said: That is absolutely settled
told me that CEN Garnssld 'e eSpec &c hs 70
s Ssn 10Th on yS1 without
pointment, u made, would help to that end, but
wished TO know whether, in case controversies
were made Postmaster General that nv poittcai
ann anlnatons In New York would not inter
Ter, ,fa With my hearty support Of his administra
l 1.-The then replied: Such contingency, in my jndg-
ment, VIII not arise, but If It should, II I accept
your you, notnhau0n must as gentleman, either De
Loyal % the President or resign Gen GARFIELD
said: That is satisfactory; and the conversation
then turned to the work Of the Post once depart
ment
Gen. Garfield said that he was afraid there was
something very wrong in the department itself;
that II So he expected me to ind 1t out, and then
put the pillow into the beam and after that TO sub
SOIL H. Mr.. Dorsey was not present at this inter-
on nor meet senator ConknG Vics u Ple ae
Arthur. On the 9th OF March, Mr. James having been
appointed Postmaster General, the President sent
route service. He said be was satisfied that there
nao oeen wiliful waste OF the public money and
gross corruption that while he did not wish to have
man Iacntles necessary to the welfare OF any
community curtailed, all unnecessary and eX-
travagant service must be relentlessy cut OF:
that the proposed Investigation must be aimed at
q system and not at men, but that II the inquiry
should disclose the fact that any person or persons
mao been guilty OF corruption or fraud, that person
partment OF Justice. He gave instructions to pur-
sue this Investigation until there were no more
facts to ascertain.
EMPLOYMENT OF WOODWARD AND GIBSON.
Witness appointed Mr p b. Woodward Of Con-
necticut, his confidential agent In the investigation
OF the star route frauds Witness visited New
York and was then Informed by Mr.. David
F. Nelson, clerk In the New York post
office, that Mr.. John swinton, one OF the
na% wn so Hsd
would materially aid him in the impending tnvee-
ugauon This resulted In MI. A. N. Gibson, for
Washington correspondent, calling on Wit
ness at the department, making valuable
Suggestions, ana placing In his hands ev1-
route matters and methods. All services
OF information at command were .made available,
and the investigation was pushed levery way.
AN APPALLING STATE OF AFFAIRS
The state OF affairs thus revealed was truly ap-
palling. Amdav1ts OF contractors, upon which in
crease OF service and expedition were unhestafngiy
ordered, were freely accepted when even the most
superficial inquiry on the part Of an inspector pro
cured at small cost would have saved untold
interests q every branch Of the services, and ID,
ular1ties which might at any time or In any place
fall under their notice were peremptor1ly forbidden
to trench upon the star route domain BY 81 power
Of the department. and whose unspoKsn word was
Obeyed as law. This vast and important ser
vice, stretching for thousands OF miles least,
vested by bands Of hostile Indians or desperate out
laws, and often accessible only by blackboard or
on horseback was relegated to the care Of one man.
ant superintendent OF railway mall service, and
who occupied desk In the ONCE Of the Second As
sistant Postmaster General This man was Ray
now collector OF customs In Maine"
PRESIDENT GARFIELD sCRPRUrn
MI James continued: "In the early part Of Aprr.
fortified with facts and figures labo1iously and
carefully collected, Mr.. woodward and myself
called on the President and exhibited a compare
tive statement OF the most corruptly manipulated
routes He disp aged great surprise, and wished to
know IL the figures had been verified by the records
he also added that he had been proy1dentially
saved from falling into trap which had evidently
been set for him, and seemed to be contemplating
some peril which he had escaped. He asked
whether the paper had been shown to the Attorney
General l replied no, when he requested me TO
call with that official and MI. woodward the next
day. In conformity with his request we called the
next day, and lengthy consultation ensued. In
answer TO my suggestion as to whether IL would
not be wiser to Institute civil suits for the recovery
OF the money obtained through dishonest contracts,
rather than to commence criminal proceedings
against the implicated parties, he said, No Go
ahead regardless OF whom you hit. l direct you
both not only to probe this ulcer to the bottom but
to cut 1t out THIS closed the conversation"
DORsEY's IDENTIFICATION OF BRADY.
"Shortly after the conference above referred TO-"
continued the witness, "ex-Senator Dorsey called
on me at Washington, and In the presence OF Mr.
Woodward denounced Mr.. Brady bitterly, and
urged that he be removed"
The Keifer.BoyntOn Inquiry.
Mr. KKIFER DENIES HAVING VISITED Mr. BOYHfoN's
OFFICE.
The Keifer- Boynton committee continued their
Investigation at o'clock this afternoon MT Cole
man, Mr.. Refers attorney, and Gen. Hunton, both
at one time attorneys for Nj McGarrahan in the
prosecution OF hts claims, were examined, and tes
tf6od fhot fhev wnflo In charoA ~ fhA Naee hoh