The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-03-06
JAMES ON THE STAND.
The Ex.Postmaster General Tells the
Story Of the Star.Routes
Aud Gets in Very had view or
Dorsey The Danville Knves-
tigation--- Congress.
News Notes.

WASHINGTON CITY, Mareh 6.-EX-PoSt-
master James was examined by the house
committee on expenditures in the department
of justice. Witness produced printed
statement of the star-route investigation
prosecution The alleged frauds were brought
to his notice by Senator George Spencer,
Before witness was made postmaster general
ne was called to Washington by Whitelaw
Reid Together they called upon the presi-
dent, and he was informed that he was offered
the postmaster generalship. The star
route measures were talked over. The
President said there was something rotten in
the poStofflce department, and that he ex-
pectei witness to "put the plow in to the beam
and suhs0il it." On March Q. 1881, the presi-
dent again brought the matter to the notice
Of the Witness and said that he ex-
pecte1 witness to cut off the frauds.
If upon investigation it was found
that any persons were guilty, they were
to Be turned over to the department of jus
tice. Witness proposed to call Mr.. Wood
ward into the inquiry, and it me t the ap-
prevail of the president. John Swinton,
editor Of The New York Sum- suggested the
name OF A. IL. Gibson as inspector and he
was accepted and put to work. Here wit-
iISSS SuttIDl iiltO a iSiiSCu} dlldblNS Vi etlC
details of the work Of Gibson and Wood
ward Witness suggested to the
president that civil suits be first
instituted against the accused. The
president thought criminal suits should be
in,titutod The attorney general warned the
| president that criminal suits might strike
men high in official position, and turn the po-
| litical tide to the Democrats. The witness
| said Dorsey called on him to denounce Gen.
| Brady, and demanded his removal. Witness
| recommended Bra,ly's removal to the presi-
| dent. who took the matter under adj
| vase lent. After concluding that Brady's
| resignation should not be demanded, he re
| considered, and consented to it. Witnes;
asked for it, Brady Immediately handed i
ia. Then Dorsey began to hedge He ctilged
and crawlel; his brazen efProatery disap-
| Pealel in his pleas for cieneacy. The story
| Of Rerieli's confession was rehearsed. anC
was directed especially a. tho alleged de
| plorable character e Dorsey. Witness re
| lated that upon visiting the president with
William A. Cook, he found Dorsey
| and his attorney, In sersoli, in conversation
| Cook warned the president that something
awful" was about - hap en. James said
| that Bliss, Gibson, Woodward, and other:
retained in the case oil rot TX their salaries
| Right here I wish to say" continued tht
! witness, that what l say of ether postof1ic
officials l want to include Gibson" Tn,
statement OF the witness close with the as
s9rtion that had the president not taken tht
step he did against the slar-routers in TIL
prosecution he wouldn't have fallen by tn
assassins bullet"
why do you state that the assassination
of Garfield was the fruit of the star
route prosecuti ns:7 inquired Stewart
| Witnass-I do not state that
Stewart-That's the Inference to b
drawn from yorr assertion I thin
you uecd to explain your insinnation." Wit
ness said he wouldn't make the assertion be
cause he didn't know it. But take it from tn
character of the newspaper clippings foun
upon the person Of the assassin at the tim
the deed was committed and bis head wa
turned by the assaults upon the president b,
the press on account of the star-route prose
| cutions
At the close of James examination ex
Attorney General Wayne MacVeagh took tn
witness stand