The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-27
MR.. KER TO MR.. GIBSON.
letter to the Principal Assistant of Ex-
Postmaster General James.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-William W. Ker,
one of the governments attorneys in the star
route cases, has written an open letter to
the Attorney general, of which the following is a
copy:
"P-HILADELPHIA, Feb. 81, 1884.
Hon. Ben jamin Harris Brewster, Attorney-gen-
Sir understand that the papers relating to
the prosecution in the star-route cases have
been handed over to. the House committee on
expenditures III the Department of Justice, of
which Mr.. Springer is chairman. I am informed
that for some time past A. NJ. Gibson has been
permitted to have free and unrestrained access
to those papers. to handle them, to COPY them,
to compare them and treat them in every way
as II he were their custodian or regularly en-
ployed by the committee for that purpose. |
am also informed that this A. M. Gibson has
made extracts from accounts rendered by
myself and others, and that as
a special correspondent he has
written communication to various newspapers,
who have published them. In these communica-
TONS extracts from the accounts have been falsi-
he'd, distorted and interspersed with mmen
and criticisms of his own, so as to seriously re-
fleet upon the honor and integrity of myself and
others similarly criticised. | am further in
formed that A. M. Gibson publicly stated, in
New York city, that he had prepared q resolu-
ton to be offered in Congress to compel the
Postmaster general to produce before the com
mlttee of Congress the papers relating to
- "AAAtA AVA RAAho -
contemplated, and that he was prepared to
sell to whoever needed them extracts from or
copies OF the papers. which would enable the
defendants or persons interested, to beat the
government in any trial that might be insti-
tuted. This is the same A. M. Gibson who was
formerly employed as a special counsel for the
government in these star-route cases, and who
either resigned or was dismissed by you shortly
after was employed by you. This is the same
A M. Gibson who, while employed and paid by
the government, was also employed and paid by
the defendants who were being prosecuted, as
Colonel Bliss informed me that the books of
James W. Bosler will show the amount paid by
HIM to Gibson, and the date of its payment.
Tins is the same A.. NJ. Gibson who, while EN-
ployed and paid by the government to prosecute
the guilty parties, made an arrangement as | am
informed, by which he agreed for the sum of
$l0,W0 to hand over to the defendants in one of
the cases papers that were on file in the Post
office Department that would be important as
evidence on the part of the government,
and that seriously eliminated the defendants.
lie was prevented from carrying out his agree
ment by the faithful public officer who
discovered it and changed the combination Of
the lock of the safe in which the papers were
placed. | am certain he is not a proper person
to be IN the employ of a committee that may be
called upon to examine into his official action,
and probably recommend his punishment. an
sure lie Is not a proper person to be permitted to
handle papers, vouchers and accounts. the alb
~straction of one of which, or the change of a fig
ure, might bring innocent persons into disgrace
and Gsrepute. These facts may all be known to
you, and probably are. l have no right to com
municate with the committee of Congress until
called before it, but J feel that / have a right to
bring these facts to your attention and apply to
you, the head of the department. to which | was
attached, and ask that, to the extent of your
power, you will protect myself and others who
are interested against A. NJ. Gibson and persons
OF like character. l am, very respectfully, your
obedlent servant, VIM. ". KER."