The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-08
STAR ROUTES,


Yesterdays Proceedings Before Far.
Springer's Committee.
WASHINGTON, Mar. 7.-Ex-SeDator Spencer
of Alabama, now resident of Nevada, was
examined to-day by Mr.. Sprlnger's committee
concerning the Star route investigation. He
said: Early in January, 1881, went from
Eevada to New York On business. One day
while walking on Broadway / met Mr..
james, then postmaster, and he asked me to
accompany him to his office. did so, and
when at the Office he told me that he wanted
to go into Garfeld's Cabinet as Postmaster
General, and asked me to aid him. l said
would assist him, and after@ard did render
what aid could. When he had been ap-
pointed Postmaster General, said to him
that he had an opportunity that few men had
In lfetime-to make great reputation. He
asked how, and replied that he conld make
the Pos'-office Department sslf-sustaining the
first year, and that the next year he could
reduce the postage to two cents
"How?" he again asked.
"By breaking up the Star route ring /
replied.
took pledge from him that what said
should be strictly confidential. Several men
connected with the ring lived in the West.
0hu NCt6 AclSuUOTb OL mine, and
desired that my name should not go to the
public as an informer. Afterwards / went to
see Gen. Garfield and received pledge from
him that what should say to the Postmaster
General should be confidential. He gave me
the same assurance that Mr.. James had given
that my information should be secret 1t was
at my suggestion then that MIR. Woodward
was selected to take general charge OF the
investigation One day while in the Post
office Department Mr.. Tyner insisted that
r-~1 nt@~ L.
then said that / thought Mr.. Wood W ard was
the best man to take hold OF the matter. He
was appoi' tod and sivou general directions
for making the entire investigation. In the
Winter OF 1881 remained in New YORK and
used to meet Mr.. Gibson. He told me what
he knew and afterwards showed me the table
OF 80 routes which be had prepared. We met
In Washington and together went to Mr.
Woodward's room, where he was made ac-
Qusinted with Mr.. Gibson's information I
remained in Washington about three months,
most OF the time getting up evidence for the
Star route cases. Out West the subject was
one of great public notoriety. One case re-
member distinctly it was a route on which
the government was paying for service sor
seven times a week, and receiving it but three
times. told Mr.. james of the route before
MI Brady was removed, and suggested that
reliable inspector had brtter be sent to investi-
| gate the case. He talked with Mr.. Brady
about it and the latter said that the service
| inspector afterwards reported the facts as
had given them. Ia June ex-senator CLAYTON
| OF Arkansas met me in Washington and said
| II this Star route investigation was going on
| in earnest Rerdell had story to tell. He
| said, however, that Rerdell was bad man
| and he did not place much confidence in him.
| The story, il true, would have made Com
viction. Rerdell's evidence referred to all the
| routes that the Dorsey combination had
| When he offered it tn those to whom he made
| it they failed to take his affidavit Dorsey
| afterwards got him to make an affidavit to
| another story. / remained in Washington
until Garfield was shot. / made mn nv mind
| that be,ond saving the government $4,000 900
| or So 10000 year the investigation would be
| failure. The service would be reformed,
| but there was no evidence by which a convic-
| tion could be obtained. Receiving no nav for
what was doing, l paid little attention to
| the subject, and in the latter part of March,
1882, went TO Nevada and remained until
! June.
Mr.. Spencer then gave an account of his
arrest in Nevada in November last for con.
tempt and OF his acquitfal in Judge Wylie's
court. II want TO state" he said, that OF
my own knowledge / knew of no material
| fact that would be admitted as evidence that
would tend to convict, and through Secretary
| Chandler this was stated to Mr.. Bliss"
Witness referred to the Testimony Thursday
| OF ex-Postmaster General James. in which he
said according TO Spencer's statement that
| Dorsey had gone to Senator Spencer's room
| and said, "See how d. business" wheruupon
be placed VI, 600 or Sc 900 in an envelope, put
1t on the table, and Brady came in, took the
envelope and money and left "T did mot say