Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-05-13
BITTER ON BLISS.
The Sfar-ROufe Attorney Denounced
by walsh as
Dishonest Man Before the Springer
Committee-Brady's Methods.

WASHINGTON, May 12.-E. S. Hutchin-
son, foreman OF the Star-route juries. tes-
titled before the Springer committee to-
day that George Bliss said before the
grand jury, in connection with the Kel-
logg case, that it was serious thing to in
dict United States Senator.
John A. Walsh then took the stand, and,
after relating the story of how he became
a Star-route contractor, said: 81 was to
Hines said he wanted money and said if /
didn't pay he would get left. Well 1
replied 'l'll get left anyhow He wanted
$4,000, and he proposed to have the pay
on the route increased. | asked him how
to get more pay. He said it would be
easy enough. l agreed to pay Hines the
money ,and almost Immediately the pay on
the route was increased to S135,000 annu-
ally for the next three years. But the in
crease did not last long. A regular whirl-
wind was raised, and an investigation was
begun. The newspapers claimed that
there was fraud, and that l was in ca
boots. 1 was called before an investigat-
ing committee, with Blackburn as chair
man. l told the committee it was making
a mistake, but the committee went on
Nothing came OF it, however. After the
investigation | was approached by Charles
Andrews, nice young man, devoting his
energies and talent to the Fifth Auditors
office. He handed me list. l was glad
to see any list. He had me down for
$4,000. What for?' L asked. That Con-
gressional investigation he said. We'll, /
don't have any money for Congressional
investigation Then Andrews said the old
man wanted to see me. Brady was the
ok man. went to see him. He asked
me about the money. | said Andrews
was not in earnest. Yes, indeed he re-
piled. My God,' 1 said, Il haven't any
SS000.' Shortly after the route was cut
down one trip. Witness told how Brady
asked for ginger. He said he was not in
creasing routes for amusement, and wanted
$4,000 for the Congressional investigation.
| tried to make Brady feel bad," said
Walsh, ''and told him l thought he would
be indicted. He said there was no dan
ger; that he had a corner on the grand
jury" Shortly afterward Brady declared
Walsh failing contractor.
Walsh began to review Bliss's testimony
before the committee, and contradicted
the attorneys statement that the Prescott
and Stanhope case depended on his testi-
| mony. He said there were other wit
| nesses that could have been called. Wit
ness said: 'Bliss puts me in the attitude
of committing perjury to convict myself"
He continued: 81 had talk with Mer-
rick at one time, and told him what testi-
| mony l had given to the grand jury rela-
tive to the Kellogg case. Merrick replied
| that Bliss had not informed him of the
| nature OF the testimony. He said: Geo.
Bliss is id scoundrel,' and | replied
| that there was no difference of opinion
between US. When before the Hutchin-
| son grand jury | got into most hostile
| atmosphere. The case against kellogg
\ was SO strong comment is unnecessary.
| That was the time Bliss said it was a seri-
1 Gus thing to indict United States Senator.
| / recognized that the defendants were well
represented before the jury. One iuryman
named Tinsdale was very impertinent, and
Iesorted to a rigid cross-examination. !
| think the effort ON the part OF the grand
| jury was to discredit me before the petit
jury and the country. l had my papers
there, but the jury did not seem to want
them, when Bliss remarked it was serious
| thing to indict Senator. Thought these
men knew their business. There was
enough evidence before that jury to make
| the future treats its witnesses as they did
me they will have to be extraordinary
men,"
Walsh said he was afterward invited by
Merritt to appear before the grand jury
He continued: 81 refused, if the govern
ment was to be represented in the grand
jury room by. Bliss. He was not an hones
man any more than any of the defendants
at the. bar. have beenIharsh on Brewster
| From what | have learned | am satisfied
have treated him unfairly, in fact ard il
part, and have not done him justice.
am willing to apologize. He was entan
gled, and George Bliss is responsible fo
entangling him."
Il l. l..