The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-03-13
MIR. Macveagh's Story.

Ex-Attorney General Macveagh testified
that after President Garfield was shot he con-
sidered 1t undesirable to complicate the star
route cases, and he de fred to do nothing to
compicate the President who would succeed
Garfield. He wished his successor TO 90 In as
little embarrassed "a possible Il had" said
Mr.. Macveagh, several conferences with Presi-
dent Arthur IA 10 the general subject OF the
prosecution of the star-route cases, and he ex-
pressed desire that remain and continue re-
sponsible for the prosecution, first "a Attorney
General and subsequently az leading counsel for
the Government, but felt could not do So
Explaining the talk he had with President
Garfield in the political effect of the prosecution
of the ar-routers, Mr.. MacVcagh stated that
he warned the President that 10 would strike
some of his high political friends, men promi-
nent in his election, who held letters from the
President which he wouldn't desire to have
made public. Witness explained the great
gravity of the step proposed, as there
was at the time division in the Republican
party, and he thought the prosecution might
hazard its future. Among those high in pollu-
cal position referred to- were Dorsey Brady, and
Kellogg. Witnt 80 told Dorsey's attorneys that
papers had been found in the department which
needed explanation. He also told Dorsey that
there must be an Investigation by the Grand
Jury, as he could not be injured IL innocent.
He said the matter caused GARFIELD great dis
tress but he consented. He was made aware OF
all the steps taken in the investigation, the is
suance OF warrants war proposed. etc etc. he stated
be settled by judicial investigation.
Witness dwelt upon the efforts OF Dorsey 70
have him turned out of the Cabinet, and the use
of Rerdells affidavit was referred to. The
grounds upon which Dorsey demanded the re-
moval OF witness were that he was generally a
bad man. Witness entered into an account of
the circumstances Of his leaving the Cabinet
He said 1t was attributable to President Arthur 4
sympathy with the star-routers. Witness cited
the intimate relations OF Arthur with Hugh
Hastings, George G. Gorham, and other friends
of star-routers They supported Arthur before
the assassination, and were cordially received
afterward. He thought the gentlemen had great
influence with Arthur. Witness didn't desire to
remain In the Cabinet. He suggested to the
President that he had better have another Attor-
ney General, as the citizens of the DistrioC of
Columbia believed IL he remained it was merely
to administer TO dead mans estate.
Mr.. MacVeagh testified that he did what he
could to Dust District Attorney Corkhill. but
President Arthur was set in his desire to have
Corkhill ~ osecute Guiteau.
The ex-Attorney Generals testimony next
turned upon the subject Of salaries paid to the
Governments attorneys in the STAR route prose
cutions.
The testimony on this subject tendedto throw
the res ponsibility upon Attorney General Brew
ster. In fact, he explicitly stated that Mr.
Brewster first recommended the payment OF
500 u day to the attorneys. The only account
witness passed upon really was 81, 500 70
Attorneys Bliss and Brewster prior TO the ap-
pontment OF the latter IA Attorney General
He recommended. however, that these two gen
men should be paid ST. 900 and 50, 0OO respective
ly, for services from the middle OF December 10
the LIST OF January.
Mr. Bliss first suggested 500 n day, and IL was
insisted upon by Mr.. Brewster, who wlpte sev
eral letters upon the subject OF salary, and in
sisted vi on the seitlement-of his bill before nc
entered upon the duties of Attorney General, al
he did not want tO pass upon his own bill.
Was not the saiary OF 900 per day unreason-
able?" inquired Mr. stewart, OF the committee
Not fer short time" replied the witHt 50
or two years. For 100 days it would not be an
excessive salary.