The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-01-19
CURIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES
In Connection With the Grab of
$4,000 by Brewster, AttOrney-Gen-


eraI.
In the report of the Secretary of tho Treas.
ury, showing, as requested by the resolution
introduced by Senator Van Wyck, the amounts
disbursed TO special counsel and others for
services in the Star Route cases, appears tho
item OF 5000 paid to Mr.. Benjamin II. Brew
ster for services rendered prior to his entry
into the Cabinet as Atorney-General.
The Washington correspondent of the New
York Truth recently referred TO this matter
and said:
IThere are some curious circumstances al
legged to surround this transaction, especially
In view OF the fact that in the annual report of
tho Attorney General for the fiscal year ending
June so, 1882, in the statement showing the
number OF assistants to the United States at
torneys, their employment and comp snsatlon,
appears on page 81 the item Of $1,000 pad to
b. Il. Brewster, Eastern District of Pennsyl.
yania, for services In Star-Routo cases. This
report was for the period from December 1,
1881, to December 1, 1892
''The report of the Acknowledgement for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1888, also contains
q similar statement, showing the number of
assistants and their employment and compen-
sation from December 1, 1882, to December /,
Mr. brewster. The question, therefore, arises
how is Il the records Of the Treasury show
that So 900 were paid Mr.. Brewster for scr
vices In Star Route cases, when the Attorney
Generals report accounts only for $4,000?
An ExOrbitant Fee.
"The story goes that Attorney General MIC
Yeagh employed Mr.. Brewster as assistant or
special counsel in the Star'Route cases, and
although his services were hardly more tn an
nominal, and such as could have been per-
formed by any reputable attorney In the land,
Mr.. Brewster wanted $4,000 as his fee. This
was considered exorbitant by Attorney-Gen-
eral MacVeagh, who finally allowed and paid
him ~, 500; and this Is the amount shown In
the report OF the Attorney,General for the
year ending June 80, 1882, Mr.. Brewster
having succeeded Mr.. MacVeagh as Attorney.
| General early In January, 1882.
at leaks out that when Mr.. Brewster came
| into ONCE as Attorney. General among his first
| acts was to make out an account for the other
| $4,000 claimed TO be due him on account OF
star-Route services, which no approved him
| however, folt called upon to advise him that
| this course was irregular and might make
| trouble at the First Auditors and First Comp.
troller's offices, and perhaps create newspaper
comment.
"Mr. brewster insisted that the amount was
| due him; that he was hard up and must have
| some money. Finally 1t was arranged that the
account should be made out and presented TO
| Solicitor. General Phillips, who was acting as
Attorney.General pending the interregnum
| created by the resignation OF Attorney.General
Nacveagh and the appointment OF his sue
| cessor Mr.. Brewster.
| An Evasion.
Complying with the demand OF his superior
| oricer, Solicitor, General Phillips approved the
| 1881, TO cover his incumbency as Acting At.
| torney-General. That this was done, and that
| Mr. brewster rocblV6u inc money buDS0quout
| to his entry into the Cabinet is said TO be be-
yond successful contradiction.
"The First Auditor, however, before whom
| lowance In settlement OF accounts, made q big
kick and insisted that Mr.. Brewster's account
| had already been fully liquidated by the al.
lowance of $4,000 paid him on approval OF
| Attorney General MacVeagh. This compli-
Gated matters, and the devil WAS TO pay at the
| Department OF Justice. However, as First
| Auditor Reynolds did not have strong politi-
| cal backing and moreover was a Blaine man.
| no was made 10 see the danger or removal
| should he offend member OF the Cabinet.
| "The extra $4,000 was thereupon duly
| audited, and the heart OF Mr.. Brewster made
| correspondingiy glad. Now Mr.. Brewst9r may
| have had some shadow OF claim to this extra
$780, and II 80 the amount should be IN
| The fact that It was not 80 included create
| suspicion that the deal was not clean, AMI
/ hardly, II any, better than STAR Route expedl-
| lions and double pay for same services,
| 1.-THE fact that the disbursement Of 5000
| to Mr.. Brewster for services IN the STARK PUTS
casea Is shown fox the Arst time by the rop ut
| Of the Secretary N tho Treasury, when T. Il
| not shown, as II should have been, By the At
| torneyGenerals report, looks ms II some mo-
| 1.-Two had underlied Its original concaalmsn',
| especially as the amount should haYQsep-
| peared itemized In tho report OF lSS3ggks re-
CURED by law. Mr.. springer's coRsAttae VIII
look into this matter" aya
q. AslgbeststCo.,
| O1S Ninth street Iid4,l4west, are ceiling antique
| furniture, .mLR.r1d brass andtroua, fender7
C ca "ds o-se's at faOnionsly loa