Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-03-14
STAR ROUTE SIN.
"Reminiscences Related by ex-Sena-
tor Speneer-The Inception of the
Prosecution-Why Spencer Dodged
the eIssue-Ex-SenatorS Spencer Under
Oath.

| HheIateu DI e4sSena-
tor Spencer-The Inception of the
Prosecution-WhyS Spencer Dodged
the eIssue-Ex-Senator Spencer Under
Oath.
washington Telegram.
Ex-senator Spencer of Alabama.
now a resident of Nevada, was ex-
amined to-day by the Springer com
mittee concerning the star route in
! vestiga' ion:
early in January, 1881" he said
Il went from Nevada to New York
on business. Oae dav, while walking
on Broadway, 1 met James, then post
master at New York, and he asked
me to accompany him to his office.
| did so, and when at his office be told
me he wanted to go into Garfeld's
cabinet as postmaster general, and
asked Ele to aid him. l said | would
assist him, and afterwards did render
him what aid could. When he had
been appointed postmaster general, l
said to him that he had an opportunity
that few men had in lifetime to
make a great reputation. He asked
how. l replied, he could make the
pOSIoLhSC oCpii
the first year, and the next year could
reduce postage to two cents. ''How?"
he again asked ''By breaking up the
star route ring" replied. I took a
pledge from him that what l said
should be strictly confidential.
Several men connected with
the ring lived in the West
and were almost neighbors of mine.
and l desired that my name should
not go 10 the public as an informer.
Afterward | went to Gen. Garfield
and received pledge from him that
what [ would say to the postmaster
general should be confidential. He
gave HE the same assurance that
James had given, that my informa-
ton should be secret. 1t was at my
suggestion that Woodward was select
ed to take general charge of the in
vestigation. One day, while in the
postoffice department, Tyner insisted
that Woodward shonld not be appoint
ed. then said l thought Wood ward
was the best man to take hold of the
matter. He was appointed, and given
general directions for making an en-
tire investigation. In the winter of
1881 l remained in New York, and
used TO meet A. NJ Gibson He told
me what he knew, and afterward
showed me table of ninety three
routes he had prepared. We met in
Washington and together went to
Woodward's room, where he was
made acquainted with Gibson's infor-
nation. | remained in Washington
oh hA,,t thran he &c
in getting up evidence for the star
route cases. [ remained in Washing
ton until Garfield was shot. l made
up my mind, instead of saving the
government two or three millions a
year, the investigation would be a
failure. Receiving no pay for what |
was doing, [ paid little attention to
the subject, and in the latter part of
March, 1882, l went to Nevada and
remained until Jnue'
THAT FAULTY SUBPOENA.
Spencer then gave an account of his
return to New York, his being sub
ponaed to appear in Washington; Of
his coming here and remaining two
weeks, and of his efforts alone, and
with Secretary Chandler, to secure an
interview with George Bliss
While sitting in one of the hotels
with Secretary Chandler, Bliss came
to the latter one day. They went out
and talked two or three hours. | in
terrupted them several times, but Bliss
said he did not want to see me. He
told Secretary Chandler he desired
not to see me until [ went on the stand
and if didn't swear to what he ex-
pected, he would cross examine me. l
remained here until court adjourned
went to New York and showed Sen
ator Conkling my subpoena. He said
it was not in legal forla, and advised
me to go and attend to my business.
[ asked if my staying in Washington
had not waived my rights to leave.
He said no, and followed his advice.
want to state that of my own knowl
would be admitted as evidence that
would tend to convict, and through
Secretary Chandler this was stated to
Bliss.
The witness referred to the testi-
mony of ex-Postmaster General James
in which he said Spencer told him that
Dorsey had gone to Senator Spencer's
room and said See how | do business"
whereupon he placed S.. 600 or Sc 900
in an envelope, placed it on the table,
and Brady came in and took the en-
velope and money and left.
l didn't say that l had seen Brady
and Dorsey in a room together. [
never saw Dorsey pay Brady any
money. We have talked so much on
the star roate investigation that he
have got things mixed. If I made
such a statement | must have been
drunk. | am not In the habit of get
ting drunk.
WAS IT A FICTION?
"Then you understand" asked
member of the committee, that the
statement of James concerning the
payment of money by Dorsey to
Brady was made out of the whole
cloth?'
1 certainly never heard of pay
ment of money. Dorsey was at one
time very bitter against Brady and
anxious for his removal as second as
sistant postmaster general"
Witness then testified concerning
| the star route prosecutions:
always felt that the government
took the most complicated cases. l
felt as if it was masquerading before
the public, and could not see why
complicated cases should be taken
when there were some that were not
so complicated. l don't think any
body was ever prosecuted except the
Dorsey combination that held above
Is per cent. of the expedited routes,
in my recollection the smallest part
There was scandal and gossip connect
ed with the talk why second indict-
ment was not found, but as l do not
know anything as fact, l do not like
to repeat it.