National Republican., 1884-04-03
Further Testimony Of Mr. Bliss as to the
Management Of the Cases.
A Halt Called by the Attorney General
to Save Further Cost.
Mr.. Bliss Regards Hundred Dollars a Day as
Reasonable Compensation.
The Attorney General Seeking Informa-
tion 10 Answer an Inquiry.

he said, they amounted to $ii5,670. Tho
witness enumerated tho indictments found in
the star route cases. OF indictments found
against parties in Mobile, for giving alleged
bogus bonds, Mr.. Bliss said he desired to
prosecute the bondsmen. II was overruled,
however" he continued, "by the attorney
general. He wanted to cry halt. There had
been 80 much talk about expenses, think he
was influenced mostly by counsel fees"
"YOur fees were still going ?" said Rep
resontativo Fyan.
"My fees would havo gone on, sir" the
witness replied.
Are you still counsol?'
mot now; my relations ceased practically
early in January-it may have been Feb.
ruary. My relations formally ceased last
week"
Fix a date when the government decided
terposed aff. Fyan.
IL think it must have been last October"
How much did you charge for examining
these casosg"
81 charged by the day for my sorvices2'
Can you approximate how much those
cases cost--S5,O0Op
NO. sir; not $500 or 5000. I don't think
tney huueu uOllAr TO my ices.
In the course of his testimony Mr. Bliss
said: There was one postofiice called Hayes
and named after the ex-president that we
could not find"
ut was fraud, them" intcrposed Mr..
Springer.
ut was about as difficult to find it," re-
piled Mr.. Bliss" us it is difficult to find him
now"
ain your opinion, was there undue inlu-
brOuuht tD hear the grand iuryp p
So far as the Salisbury and Parker con-
tracts wcro concerned, l never saw undue
influence. j never got any indication that
the friends of Parker or Salisbury knew the
cases were before the grand jury. ltindicted
in the Dorsey case, aud in these cases 1t didn't.
l can't understand it,"
'Wero you of the opinion that your asso-
ciate counsel were endeavoring to secure an
indictment?"
Both were as earnest as myself"
Did you ever say DOrsey's case was weak2"
II never said it, because ! nevor thought
it. l certainly was not fool enough to run
down a case was trying"
Have you at any time criticised the way
the prosecution was conduciedW
mo, sir; no, sir; no. sir"
you made no such statement in an inter
view?"
II can't keep up with the interviews. At
one time paper here published an interview
with me when had been out Of tho city for
several wceks.v
Mr.. Bliss then referred to the fees he received
as government counsel. At the request of the
attorney general, he said he had recently
written letter TO him on this Same subject
the attorney general desiring the letter that
he might comply with n recent resolution of
the senate calling for an account of counsel
fees in the star rate cases. The witness read
the letter, which, in substance, is as follows
when first informally approached by
Hon. Thomas l.. James as to being retained
as counsel for the government, / expressed
my unwillingness to bo retained, on the
double ground that, however faithfully
counsel served the government, they got no
thanks and that there was always difficulty
in collecting the compensation. / remember
that in personal letter then written
l stated that my experience was that the
reasonable compensation was always cut
down half, and that then you had to en-
ploy corkscrew and claim agent to collect
it, Experience shows | was right. In spite
of my expression of unwillingness l was in
vited to meet Attorney General MacVengh
and Postmaster General James, and as re-
suit agreed to be retained. The proper rate
of compensation was then talked over.
stated to the attorney general that for some
years | had not received less than 800 day
and expenses for professional services away
from home; that l should be paid at that rate;
thhI ulu not cOn5luer thaV thhU covered the
labor involved in the preparation of any
elaborate argument, and that for such labor 1
should be allowed something additional At
this conversation l agreed to be retained and
was informed you were also to DO retained"
The letter then goes on to show that the
compensation asked was not excessive, by
comparing it with that received by the district
attorney Of the United States at New York
and by his assistants, and cites as Just and
reasonable certified accounts rendered by him
when such district attorney, ranging from
800 TO $3.50 day for services given by him
in suits wherein the government was sued
individually. 1t then continues: "You will
perceive that though the rates vary, they are
In no case less than 800 day, and these
allowances are certified as just and reasonable
to an officer drawing salary Of $4,000 year
] trust what have said will enable you to
fully answer the resolution of tho senate as
far as l am concerned. IT, however, you
desire any further information, shall be in
Washington early in the coming week, and
will furnish it,"
Mr.. Bliss, continuing, said that Mr.. Brew
stew wrote q letter to Mr., MacVeagh when
the compensation to counsel was first talked
of, i'll which he asked that 81, 800 be paid to
both Bliss and himself for services then rem
dered, and asked that 500 day be paid while
occupied in the case, together with expenses.
"Mr. Brewster" Mr., Bliss bald, makes no
ulUerenCo between borVlCeS AZ nome ana scr
vices away from home. mado a distinct
difference. / had been so badly treated by
former attorney general that l determined
not to take another case without perfect
understanding before hand as to what should
receive"
Mr.. Bliss said he regarded his conversation
with Mr.. MacVeagh as verbal contract, by
which he was TO receive 500 q day oil the
time that he was absent FROM home; that he
was not to be required TO travel at night; that
500 day would not be sufficient if there
was o long argument, involving strain on
brain and body, and that his expenses should
be paid. 81 am certain" ne continued, "Mr.
MacVoagh would not have employed me if
he had thought the services would have been
so long. MGGYeagh did not think 800 day
excessive"
What was your entire charge?'
"Fitty-nine thousand five hundred aud
thrty-two dollars. or this amount $i,3i2
woro for expenses. About $4,000 of it is still
unpaid
dMr, Gibson says you got $3.50 dayP"
THAT mot true. My bills covered greater
periods than no reckonod."
How many mon did you convict~ asked
Representative Fyan.
"Only two
Were they pnDiahed'"
mo, SIR"
Did you collect any money for the gov
ornment"
mo, sir Pvo not gone into tho insurance
business"
would you charge for Sunday" Mr..
Springer inquired.
81 think my bills will show that l charged