St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-06
STAR ROUTE LIGHT.
Ex-Postmaster General James
Connection With It's Pros
ecutiOn.
President Garfield Determined to
Clear Out the Nest of
Robbers.
The First Informers Turn Traitors on Find
ing Themselves in the Tolls.
An Honest Endeavor to Ferret Out the
Guilty Thieves.

General James and Attorney General Mac
Weigh, were examined to-day by the Springer
committee, relative to the expenditures by
the departm ent of justice in the prosecution
of the star route cases. James said, his at
tention was first specially called to the star
route matters by ex-United States Senator
Geo. Spencer, Alabama, and other well in
formed gentlemen. 1t was then he believed
that millions of dollars had been wasted in
star service, much of which had
never been performed, and procured by an
improper measure. 1t was main tanned that
an honest, thorough investigation, would
render practicable retrenchments, without
detriment to the service, which would not
only make the postoffice department self sus-
tanning, but would yield respectable revenue
to the treasury. Continuing James said: That
I entertained such views was more or less
known. The publicity given them, added to
the fact, that while postmaster at New York,
when asked by Stephen w. Dorsey to certify
in nv official capacity, to the large number
of papers connected with the contract office
of the postoffice department. | refused to do
so, which may account for the bitter opposi-
ton to my appointment to cabinet position,
which developed in certain quarters.
l went to Washington the night of the I'd
of March, 1881, which 1 understood, to re-
present Garfeld's desire. On the third
called on him in company with Reid. The
latter said in substance, addressing Gen.
Garfield that he had asked Tine to come on,
as Che, Gen. Garfield, had desired, and
told me it was in reference to
some suggestion of my name for postmaster
general, and that had said if the treasury
department was likely to come to New
York, did not want to be in the way, and
that he (Reid) had assured me that it was
now settled General Garfield addressing
me, said, that is absolutely settled, the
treasury department cannot go to New
York. Reid, continuing, said he told me
General Garfield expected to get on satisfac-
torily and without friction with both factions
in New York, and hoped that my appoint
ment, if made, would help to that end, but
wished to know whether, in the case that
controversies should be forced upon
him, he could be sure if
were made postmaster general, that myra-
tional utilization in New York would not in
terfere with my hearty support of his admin
istration.
Gen. Garfield said: &C Yes, that is about it.,
and then replied that such contingency in
my Judgment, will not arise, but if it should,
and I accept your nomination, must, as a
gentleman, either be loyal to the president or
resign.
General Garfield "That is satisfactory" :"
and the conversation then turned to work OF
the postoffice department. Gen. Garfield
said he was afraid there was something very
wrong in the department itself, though, if so
he expected me to find it out, and then plow
in to the beam, and after that subsoil it.
Dorsey was not present at this interview, nor
did James see him; neither did he call on or
meet Senator Conkling or Vice President
Arthur. On the 9th of March James having
meantime been appointed postmaster gener-
al, the president sent for him, and brought
up the subject of the star route service. He
said, he was satisfied there had been wilfull
waste of the public money and gross corrup-
ton. That while he did not wish to have the
mail facilities necessary to the welfare of any
community curtailed, all unnecessary and
extravagant service much be relentlessly cut
off That he proposed an investigation must
but that, if the inquiry should disclose the
fact that any person or persons had been
guilty of corruption or fraud, that the person
or persons must be handed over to the de-
partment of justice. He gave instructions
to pursue this investigation until there were
no more facts to ascertain.
The witness said A. M. Gibson, formerly
connected with the New York San as its
Washington correspondent, placed in his
hands evidence of the greatest Importance,
and made valuable suggestions upon star
route matters, and the methods, with all
sources of information at his command, were
made available, and investigation pushed in
every way. The state of affairs thus revealed
was truly appalling. In the early part of
April, fortified with facts and figure, labor
ously and carefully collected, Woodward and
myself called on the president and exhibited
comparative statement Of the most cor
ruptly- routes. He displayed
great surprise, and wished to know of the
figures had been verified by the records. He
also added, he had been providentially saved
from falling into the trap which
had evidently been set for him,
and seemed to be contemplating some peril
which he had escaped. He asked whether
the papers had been shown to the attorney
general. I replied no, when he requested
me to call with that official, and Mr.. Wood
ward the next day. In conformity with his
request, we called next afternoon, and a
lengthy consultation ensued. In answer to
my suggestion, as to whether it would not be
wise to institute civil suits for the recovery OF
the money obtained through dishonest con-
tracts, rather than commence criminal pro-
ceedings against the implicated parties. He
said mo" zone moment, Mr.. PRESIDENT -
said the attorney general, ''consider whether
or not the postmaster general is not
right before final decision.
Remember that these proceedings may
strike men in high places, that they may re
suit in changing the Republican majority in
the United States senate into Democratic
majority, that they may affect persons who
claim that you are under personal obligations
to them for services rendered during the last
campaign, and one person in particular. who
asserts that without his management, you
could not be elected. Look these facts
squarely in the face before taking final
stand, for neither the postmaster general, mol
myself will know friend or foe in this matter.
The president walked across the room, re-
flected moment, and said, ''no 1have sworn
to execute the law. Go ahead, regardless
of where or whom you hit.
direct you both "not only to probe this ulcer
to the bottom, but to cut it out" This
closed the conversation. Shortly after the
conference above ex-senator Dorsey called
on me at Washington, and in presence OF
Mr.. Woodward denounced Brady bitterly,
and urged that he be removed. The witness
- +lo+ -, \, ~
publication of the reports sent to congress by
Postmaster General Gresham would be detri-
mental to the public interests. The prepa-
rations made for the investigation of the
Star routes were described by the witness
at length, the removal of Brady,
etc. every soon," said James, dorsey be-
gan to actively engage in his efforts to shield
himself to bring the investigation to naught,
to disturb the relations of the president with
his cabinet, and to convince the country that
nersecution was the primary motive OF the