The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-30
THE STAR-ROUTE PROSECUTIONS.
A Democratic Wall Because McDevitt Was
Sent to the Penitentiary.

.
WASHINGTON, Sept 29. The committee on ex-
penditures in the Department of Justice, which,
during the last session of Congress investigated
the star-route prosecutions, has completed its
report for submission to the House on reassem-
bling The report is signed by Messrs Springer
(chairman) Van Alstyne, Hemphill Fyan and
Crisp, Democratic members of the committee
It details at length the history of the starroute
frauds from the Hayes administration down to
the time Of the commencement of the suits, and
declares the frauds upon the service could not
have been committed without the knowledge
corporation and assistance of Thomas J. Brady
and that not only contractors but many other
persons in high official position in the govern
ment-were either criminaIy cognizant of the
frauds or guilty participants therein. It de-
clares that the amount out of which the govern
ment was defrauded in the star-route mail serv-
ice during President Hayes's administration,
exceeds $4,oDO,OO0 At one time the govern
ment was paying $3.50, 009I per year for carrying
mails to Offices that yielded less than $4,000
revenue. The story of the attempt to arbitrate
the Salisbury and Parker cases is told at some
length, and 5hs report has the following to say
concerning these Combinations:
It appears from the evidence that two of the most
powerful combinations of postroute contractors were
known as the Salisbury and Parker combinations.
All efforts at procuring indictments against these par
ties failed material witness against Salisbury was
one Thomas A. McDevitt who held large amount of
expedited services 1t seems McDevitt had been In
dicted in Philadelphia for fraudulent bidding
tain routes in Texas--a matter quito distinct from
those IN which his evidence chiefly sought. Mr..
Woodward was directed by Attorney general Mac
Neagh and Postmaster-gener James to procure an
affidavit from McDevitt as to his knowledge of frauds
in the Salisbury McDevitt made afun state
ment of all the facts within his knowledge, and
given by Woodward an implied promise Of Immunity
in consideration of his making full disclosures The
binding force Of this implied promise
recognized by Mr.. James and Mr.. MacNeagh.
McDevitt added that he would freely communicate
any further information within his knowledge
standing this full disclosure on the part of MeDevtt
and the implied promise of immunity which he had
pressed to trial and McDeVitt wasconvicted and
sent to the penitentiary for one year. Woodward
protested to the President and Attorney that
in the trial and conviction of McDevitt the solemn
pledges of the government had been broken and urged
executive clemency in his behalf, which was not
granted Woodward testifes. also that McDeyitt was
witness whom he should have relied upon to break
into the Salisbury combination. and show their meth
DDS OF doing business and that he the only witness
accessible tomake proof against the powerful com
bnation but that the goveTnment took that witness
and sent Em to the penitentiary.
The report continues:
The manner of procuring expedition was reduced to
science. The afhdavits Of contractors and others
used as foundation upon which expedition and
increased service allowed The brazen effrontery
and perjury of these afdavtmakers is without par
ae s y me history q criminal 2; prosecutions Ada
by contractors just they laid up supplies of grain
for their horses These afdavits the sole meas
OF the cost of expedition and other evidence
was required by the Department for granting in
creased service and increases of speed which cost the
government hundreds Of thousands of dollars. A
stock Of these blank afidavits was kept hand and
blanks filed when occasion required their use, and
papers fled with the Department were the basis of
securing large and valuable additions to contracts 4
Thus perjury was made the basis Of all the frauds
perpetrated.
A considerable portion of the report is devoted
to the subject of employment and compensation
of attorneys. The amount paid for this purpose,
so far as ascertained, was $l44 846 of which
George Bliss received $57, 1872
A review of the testimony. in explanation Of
the failure of the government TO secure eonvic-
ton in the two starr trials is given, but the
report says the committee had not time to pur-
sue an investigation in reference to the attempts
to bride Jurors In reference to contractors not
indicted, the report says:
From tabular statement from the office Of the
Second Assistant Postmaster general, the amount
which it was claimed could be recovered from the
Salsburys and Parkers is estimated at 1864 4O3 |
While the record evidence IN the Postofice Depart
ment at the beginning of the investigation by the de-
partment, was meager against the Salisburys and
Parkers yet evidence subsequently procured through
special agents sent out for that purpose showed that
the operations of these parties contractors were
glarngy fraudulent and that they should have been
indicted and convicted and prosecuted in the civil
from the government Some mysterious and power.
full influences must have operated to their i'm
munity.
The next subject considered Is relative to the
failure to indict ex-governor Kellogg, and the
report says George Bliss seemed to oppose the
efforts looking toward such Indictment and
upon this point continues as follows:
There is wide issue Of yeracity between Bliss and