Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-06
A STAR ROUTE GILMAN.
JAMES NIVIDLY PORTRAYS A
SCENE WITH GARFIELD.

raj MacVeagh were examined to-day bv
Mr.. Springer's committee relative to the
expenditures of the Department of JUS
tice in the prosecution of the star route
cases. OF the committee there were pres
ent Representatives Springer, Stewart,
FOran, Crisp, Hemphill, Bowen and Mil
liken. After explaining how he gained
his first knowledge of the existence of the
star route frauds While he was Postmas-
ter at New York, Mr.. James gave a his
tory of the circumstances attending his
entl ance to President Garfield's Cabinet,
as follows:
went to Washington on the night Of the 2d
OIL March, 1881. In answer to a telegraphic dis
patch from WhitelaW Reid, which under
STOOD TO represent Gen. Garfeld's desire
IN GARFIELD's PRESENCE.
On the 3d called on him, in company with
Mr. Reid. Mr.. Reid said in substance. ad :
dressing President Garfield, that he had asked
me TO come on as he president Gariield) had
DESIRED ana had told me that it was in refer
ence 10 some suggestion Of my name for Post
master General; that | had said that if the
Treasury Department was likely TO come to
New \ Ork did not want to be in the wav
and that he (Mr- Reid had assured me that
lhat was now settled. President Garfield,
addressing me, said: "1hat is absolutely set
tied. The Treasury Department cannot go to
New York.
THE FACTIONS IL NEW YORK.
Mr. REID continuing said that he had told
me that President Garfield expected to yet
on satisfactorily and without friction with
both factions IN New York, and hoped thar
my appointment, if made would help to that
end, but wished to know whether in case
controversies should be forced uDOn him. he
could be sure. if l were made Postmaster
General, that my political affiliations in New
lork would not interfere with my hearty
support OF his administration. President
Garfield said: Yes, that is about it; and /
then replied: Such a contingency. in nv
Judgment, will not arise; but If it should. if
accept your nomination, | must, as
gentleman, either be loyal to the President or
resign.
POSTAL INIQUITIEs.
Gen. Garfield said, THAT is satisfactory"
and the conversation then turned to the work
OF theTost Office Department. President Gar
HELD sad That he was afraid that there was
something very wrong in the department it.
sell; lhat II so he expected me 10 find il out
and then put the plow in up to the beam. and
after that to subsOil it.
Mr.. Dorsey was not present at this inter
view, nor did Mr.. James see him, neither did
he call on nor meet senator Conkling or Vice
President Arthur.
EXHIBITS OF CORRUPTION.
After describing the preliminary investiga-
tlons into the Department affairs, Mr.. James
continued: ''In the early part Of
April, fortified with facts and
figures, laboriously and carefully col
ANttNtf AioltttOi W OoQMHrl and myself
called on the President and exhibited a com
parallve statement of the most corruptlv ma
hIpulated star routes. He displayed great
surprise anu wished TO know If the figures
h3d been verified by the records. He also
added that he had been prOvidentiallv saved
from railing into trap which had evidently
been set for him, and seemed to be
contemplating some peril which he had es
capped. lie asked whether the paDers had
been shown to the Attorney General. re-
plled no, when ne requested me to call with
Ghat Olnclal ana Mr.. woodward the next day
In conformity with his request we called the
next afternoon and a lengthy consultation
ehsuSu, IN answer to my suggestion as to
Whether II would not be wiser to institute
clEll stuts Tor the recovery of the money OBJ
tanned through dishonest contracts rather
than TO commence criminal proceedings
against implicated parties hesaid mo"
STARTLING PICTURE.
"One moment, Mr.. President" +" said the Attor
ney General, consider whether or n the Post
master General Is not right before final de-
c'sIOn. Remember that these Droceedings
may strike men in high places; that they may
result IN changing the Republican majority
IN the United States Senate into a Democrotie
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 Won
could not have been elected Look those
1acts squarely in the face before taking
linal stand, for neither the Postmaster Cen
matter. " ~
The President walked across the room. re-
Iected a moment, and said: "No | nave
sworn 10 execute the laws. Go ahead regard
less OF where or whom you hit. | direct Won
both not only to probe this ulcer to the Int
tom, but to cut it out"
This closed the conversation
Shortly after the conference above referred
TO ex-senator Dorsey called on me at Wash
ingtOn, and in the presence of Woodward de-
nounced Gen. Brady bitterly, and urged that
he be removed ''"'
On April 10 Inspector Woodward addressed
me communication strongly urging that
the II terests of the pending investigation and
OF Ine department demanded the retirement
Ol Ihonhas >. Brady from the Office OF Second
Assistant Postmaster General. The same
evening Mr.. Woodward and myself called
upon the President, to whom referred the
lettef; lie at once directed Gen. Brady's dis
mlssal. l explained to the President that
Gen. Brady had previously told me that
whenever his place was wanted his resigna-
uOn was at the Presidents dsDOsal. that NV
relatlons with the Second Assistant Post
masters General, official and otherwise, had
always been OF friendly character: that
Ihis was a most painful duty, and that
| hoped that he would allow me to ask for
his resignation. He declined and directed
letter to be prepared, which | signed. ASKING
the PRESIDENT for Gen. Brady's instant re-
moval. Early the next morning the Presi-
6ent sent for me, and said that he had re-
hected on what ! had urged, and realizing
my embarrassment, was willing that l sbould
ask for Gen. Brady's resignation. Gen. Brady
at once resigned
The greater part of Mr. James testimony
referred to matters shat became public dur
ing the progress Of the star route trials. lie
SAID IN conclusion: ~ desire to say to the
committee that / gladly avail myself
OF the opportunity afforded by
their summons TO present to them aud to the
public this statement of the essential facts of
my connection with the star route proceed
ings. / deem it due to the truth Of history
ana matter Of justice to myself and stin
more OF Justice to the memory Of the late
PRESIDENT Garfield. His conduct in the whole
allair was honorable and courageous in a high
degree, ana was inspired by q lofty sense of
the duties OF his Office. IL nc had taken a
lower view OF his obligations as Chief Magis-
trate and as an honest man it is nv firm
Dellef that he would not have fallen a victim
TO an assassin's bullet.
GOVernor stewart, member of the com
mlttec, saId; Your belief, Mr.. James, Is that
Tue ASSASSINATION OF Garfield was in cOnse-
quence OF star route mattcrsg"
Il don't say that" replied the witness 81
mean, Judging from the clamOr of the people
anu clippings found in the assassins pocket
things"
MACvEAGH's TESTIMONY.
EX- Attorney General McVeagh testified
that the first information he had relative to
Ihe proposed star route investigation was
when he was advised by the President to con-
suit with the Postmaster General, which he
did His testimony cOrrobOrated that of Mr.
James and his reference was Drincipallv 10
matters already Of record