Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-29
MIR. STROBACEE,S DEFENSE.
He Makes Some Startling Statements
Before the Committee Investigating
His Case.

he ACCUSES Mr.. BREWSTER CAMERON OF MALICIOUS
PERSECUTION-ACTIoN ON THE PART OF THE AT
TORNEY GENERAL WHICH Mr. NILLIKEN CONSIDERS
EXTRAORDINARY.
The examination in the Strobach case before the
ment OF Justice took an unexpected turn this
morning. EX-MarShal Strobach was on the stand
In his own defense. He stated that all that it was
claimed that he had Overcharged for his services
did not amount to more than s35 or $40. and that
the prosecution OF him was prompted by malice
Mr.. Brewster Cameron, he said, had In the first
place tried to prevent his appointment, making 1t a
personal matter, even going far as TO call upon
the President 10 endeavOr TO prevent II. To show
that it was not simply desire on Mr.. CameronS
the agents sent to investigate his Office,
had himself been dismissed from an Office
ne held on Charges OF having present
partment, be said, had made charges against many
other officers for rendering false accounts amount
Ing to thousands OF dollars, yet they Were not
prosecuted But the agents were all sent to prose-
cute him upon. a charge involving, according to
their claim. not more than $40. The whole power
or the department was turned upon him. and a
man named Rice. who was VIGOROUSLY his lthe
W1tness) bitter enemy. was employed TO prosecute
him. lie then entered into history OF his trial
under the indictments of the department., to show
that he mad been honestly acquitted.
AT this point the question WAS raised as to
whether or not sucn testimony admissible, the
chair (hr HemphilD Icing disposed TO think that
1t Vas not.
Mr.. MILIIKEN THINKS THE CASE EXTRAORDINARY.
Mr.. Milllken, one Of the committee spoke UP,
saying that there seemed to be something eNtraor-
binary about the whole matter, and he was not
quite certain that he understood It, He believed
however, that Mr.. StrObach was before the COM
mittee to defeGd himself against Ger, ain charges
and he did not see how he could do this if he
not permitted to enter upon the charges In his
testimony. at seems to me- he said. ''that the
committee is trying the gentleman upon charges
under which he has once been tried by jury and
acquitted. 1t seems extraordinary to examine into
the action OF jury in this manner. There is no
reason for our reviewing this case II it has been
tried 10y competent jury believe In the sanctity
OF jury, unless there is proof before us to show
that 1t was corrupted"
This view of the case excited considerable dis
cusSion in the committee, during which it was
developed that the investigation related entirely
the charges before tried and the reports OF the
agents OF the Department OF Justice and the Attor
ney Generals letters impugning the jury that tried
the Case.
Mr.. Miiken then said that he would be in favor
of giving IT Strobach clean bill of health upon
the verdict OF the jury, he believed the commit
tee had no right TO assume that the case had not
been fairly tried. Ii any one with proof that
case. 81 want TO be distinctly understood" he
said 81 do not think it the duty OF the committee
TO decide this case, for or against There seems to
be q bitter feeling on both Sides
LETTERS SUBMITTED By MR.. STRoBACH
Mr.. Strobach asked to be permitted to place In
evidence the letter of the Attorney General stating
that he entered mole pross in the further indict-
mentS against Mr. Stroblch because he could not
hope to bring him TO justice while he had the
power OF marshal. together with his attorneys
reply TO the letter and his letter asking his attOr-
ncy TO make the reply. as he did deem IL proper
to reply in person to his superior. These he SUP
pleluented with the statement that he had no in
fiuence with the jury, the Attorney General had
Implied In his letter that he had, and that he
wanted to show that the whole affair was perse-
cutiOn.
The chairman questioned his right to submit his
attorneys letter In evidence.
This provoked considerable discussion ard the
papers finally admitted, the witness assuming
the statements in his attorney letter as his own.
r.. MIILIKEN MAKES AN INQUIRY.
Mr. Milllken here inquired how it was that the
Attorney General had published his reasons for
nolie pressing the cases IL was, he said, a very
extraordinary proceeding. Had the Attorney Gen
eral entered into newspaper controversy with one
of his Subordinates? He did not know, he said,
that 1t was customary TO give reasons for taking
such action.
Mr.. Strobach, breaking in. said that it was even
worse; that the Attorney General has instructed
the district attorney to put the communication on
file In the court and that the judge had allowed
1t, being utterly aStonished at such proceedings
81 wish to say said Mr. Mfiken, ."that deem It
a very extraordinary thing that the Attorney Cen
eral should enter into controversy with one OF his
subordinateS. want this to go on record deem