National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-07

ought to be removed but tho President
thought IL was not his duty 20 remove him
until Guiteau had been tried. He had SAID
that the limit of Mr. Corkhill's Official posi-,
tion would be the trial. Why ho was retained
longer Mr.. MacYeagh said no did not know
He never was entrusted" the witness tes-
tilted, with anything of tho star route cases.
He was never allowed to know anything
about the cases. l could not see, under the
circumstances, how l could hope TO have
moral support in these cases, ana II was
moral support that | needed. The record
evidence, with tho inspectors reports, was so
conclusive that nothing moro could be de-
sired. The question of the accidents of juris-
prudence were to DO considered. These were
to get grand jury that would indict, and
twelve men who would afterward convict"
Mr.. Springer, turning to tho testimony
given ye terday, asked the witness to whom
he referred when he said that President
Arthur had selected man for attorney-gen-
eral and afterward changed his mind.
"The man was subsequently made Nom
Der of the cabinet" Mr.. MacVeagh replied.
The witness was asked to explain the soloc-
ton OF counsel in the star route prosecutions,
aud the compensation preferred for services.
Immediately before the death of President
Garfield" Mr.. MacVeagh said, II asked MIR.
Brewster and at the suggestion Of Postmaster
General James, Mr.. Bliss to DO government
counsel. Mr.. Gibson had previously been
employed (about April 22) rs assistant in the
department of justice with special detail to
work up star route cases. About June Mr.
Cooke was appointed. Mr.. Bliss and Mr.
Brewster were brought into active work
about Sept. 10. No letter WAS sent to Mr..
Gibson, it seems, concerning his appoint.
ment, but communications in the usual
formula were sent to Mr. Cook,
Mr.. Bliss, and Mr.. Brewster. These com
munications had tho clause that COM
| 1.v h. NNAw 49,
general when the cases were ended. left
the department Oct. 25 not expecting to re-
turn except to introduce my successor. While
| in Philadelphia | was in consultation with
Mr.. Bliss and Mr.. Brewster about their fees.
! don't remember what was said then. l
ought TO have said and presume did say,
that the cases were of great Importance and
difficult, aud that the attorneys would be
decently and honorably compensated &C.
cording to the service required and their own
standing at tho bar. Before my formal resig-
nation each of these gentlemen asked fol
| $500 on account of services rendered. This
received my commentator and was paid on
tho approval of Mr.. Phillips acting attorney
general. The subject of per diem, 500 day
and expenses, had been talked of. pointed
out that thought it was impossible for the
| attorney general to make contract.
| About New Years, after l had resigned
| Nov 1i), Mr.. Brewster consulted me about
a settlement of his account. 1t was then
known to me that no would DO attorney gen
eral. He said he would present bill fol
$1,000, crediting the government with $4,000
| Mr.. Bliss proposed TO make his bill $4,000
crediting the government with $4,000. He
| had been more closely engaged in the work
| than had Mr.. Brewster, and asked greater
compensation. said l had no right to inter
fere, hut it seemed to me that the charges
were reasonable. | wrote to Mr.. Phillips
| in, hot I M Univ m lOO nuf
900 should not be paid. They were subse
quently paid the amounts asked.
! Shortly after Mr.. Brewster was made at
torney general, l received letter from him
asking my opionion about the compensation
to be paid Mr.. Gibson and Mr.. Cook. NJ.
recollection was that these gentlemen haC
been employed assiduously seven or eigh
months, and thought that the sum of s., 0Ot
would be reasonable, and / said If l was in hi
place l would pay that"
Mr.. Stewart asked, SIN view of the magni
tude and Importance and the great sum o
money involved in these prosecutions, AM
tho professional standing of Mr.. Bliss and Mr
Brewster, do you think, Mr.. McVeagh, tina
per diem charge of 500 o day and expcns
was unreasonable?"
/ certainly think such charges would b
reasonable for limited time, but whethe
they would BIO reasonable for one year or tw
years is different. | do not think the charg
was too high. when made by person of Nj
Bliss standing at the bar, and when h
leaves his office in New York and remain
here for time. Such services by such law
yers are really worth the sums asked"
IF the time was so days or 100 days,
asked Mr.. Van Alstyne, was the charg
proper"
Even if the time was $50 days, think
under the circumstances, that the charge WA
reasonable. We have to take the actual Gil
cumstances to judge properly"
In your Judgment was thore any neglcC
on the part of officials of the government i
pushing these cases?" asked Mr.. Stewart
Certainly nothing of the kind during IN
time"
"Itwas reported that Garfield proposed you
removal from the cabinet" said Mr.. Springer
Will you explain thatW
81 came into the cabinet as Presiden
Garfeld's choice. | never allowed anybod
to ask the President for my appointment, an
took means to let him know l did not seel
tho place. l cannot believe that he contem
plated any such act. If he did, l made /
easy for him at one time to dispense with IN
services. He made an appointment in III
department while 1 was absent that
objected to- lie knew that / must so out
the appointment remained. | had tendere
and pressed my resignation. The night befor
he was shot he was exceptionally kind an
cordial / had no reason to doubt from til
moment ! entered his cabinet till he died bu
that | had his confidence to the fullc:
extent. He complied with my wishes in tn
case of the appointment and induced me I
remain"
Ex-senator Spencer Is expected to appear
before the com mi ttee to-day.