Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-25
KEY EXONERATES KER.
THE LATTER's PROPOSITION TO
COLGROVE EXPLAINED.


Evidence, not Money, the Price Pro-
posed for Abandoning Prosecution
COlgrOve Horror Stricken at the Very
Suggestion of Brfbery-Light on
Boone's Sharp Expedition Tactics.
WASHINGTON, June 24.-Judge John
J. Key made his appearance before the
Springer committee to-day and testified
that he was attorney for J. B. Colgrove in
the star route cases.
Mr.. COlgrOve wanted the witness 10 assist
him in relation to an Indictment which he
thought was about to be found against him in
connection with his mail contracts. The wit
ness had two conversations with Mr.. Ker at
the court house building. The witness OBJ
ject was to inform Mr.. Ker Of Mr.. Colgrove's
character. and to convince Mr.. Ker
TO indict Mr.. COlgrOye. The witness became
satisfied that Mr.. COlgrOve was not guilty of
the charge against him, and he desired to
explain the facts to Mr.. ker and satisfy him
OF Mr.. Colgroye's innocence. The witness
went to Mr.. Merrick and explained every
thing, including his reasons for believing Mr.
Colgrove innocent. Mr.. Merrick said that he
could do nothing. but referred the witness to
Mr.. Ker, and gave him letter Of introduc-
tiOn to the latter.
KER sKEPTICAL.
Mr.. Ker listened until the witness completed
his statement and said: 81 dont't believe that
these men are innocent. have proof that
they are guilty.
The witness cautioned Mr.. Ker that he
could not believe Mr.. Boone in his testimony
against Mr.. Colgrove. He told Mr. Ker that
he had seen letters from Mr.. Boone to Mr..
COlgrovc attempting to blackmail the latter
Mr.. Ker replied: "Let Mr.. COlgrove make this
thing good to the government
The witness thought that Mr.. Ker meant
that Mr.. Colgrove should make restitution of
tho IL t4rac qliapnb ha hod
received from the government. Mr.. Ker added
that "that was all that he would do" The
witness reported to Mr.. Colgrove what Mr..
ker had said. Mr.. ColgrOVe was much ex-
cited, and again denied that he had improp-
erly received dollar from the government.
We said that if indicted it would ruin him.
He would rather pay the money. even though
he did not owe it, than he indicted. Judge
Key advised him not to make any payment. as
that would be an indirect confession Of guilt
The next day Mr.. Colgrove said that he had
decided TO stand trial rather than tacity ad-
nit wrong on his part by paying any money
to the government
WHAT KER WANTED.
The witness reported Mr.. Colgrove's decis-
ion to Mr.. Ker. who said: "You don't UNDER
stand me. 1t is not his money that | want,
but If Mr.. C0lgrOve will give me information
that will enable me to convict these parties [
Will drop the prosecution" The witness re-
piled that his client should not turn informer
The charge against Mr.. ColgroveS was of con-
spiracy with Messrs. Boone and French, pos
tai clerks. to defraud the government.
Judge Key swore that he did not understand
Mr.. ker to make any corrupt or i'm
proper suggestions, and in so testifying
entirely.
Mr.. Ker said that he did not wonder
that Mr.. Colgrove got mixed up, sFor'' he
added, - have not slept since last Saturday"
Mr.. Colgroye was recalled He said that
since he testified on Saturday, when he said
that his counsel, Judge Key, had told him that
Mr.. ker had said that for the payment of
$4,000 the matter would be dropped, he had
seen his counsel. and had voluntarily told the
Chairman yesterday the facts. The witness
did not inquire OF his counsel whether the
money was wanted for the government or for
the counsel.
"sIMPLY HORRIBLE"
The proposition coming at that time to him
was simply horrible. The witness labored
under the impression it was TO go TO the
counsel. The witness was prosecuted most
outrageously himself for three years. Sian
ders OF the worst kind were circulated
against him. The witness did not recognize
Mr.. hers authority to make any demand on
him whatever. In answer to Inquiries, the
witness said that he never had any corrupt
dealings with John L. French, and believed
Mr.. French to be as pure as sun
light. He d scribed one trans
action in which Mr.. Boone figured Mr.
Boone had route in Florida which he said
had been ruined by cyclones. Mr.. Boone
went to the witness and others and said:
''This route is ruined. and want YOU fellows
to keep your hands off," Mr.. Boone said that
he was going to get it raised to $4,000. The
witness asked how it was to be done, to which
Mr.. Boone SAID that there would be no other
bidders. Mr.. French came to the witness and
to others and said that there was plan to
bleed the government in connection with this
route, and he (French) wanted the witness
and others to put in bids.
A STRAW BID.
Among the bidders was notary public in
Washington, whose bid proved to be straw
bid. He was a handy man for Boone. The
witness charged Boone with putting in a
straw bid, whereupon the notary public went
to Mr. French and in the witness, presence
admitted that his bid was a straw bid He
asked Mr. French's pardon, and promised if
the matter was overlooked not to DO such a
thlng again. This route was let to
the witness for $l4,5O0. The wit
ness sub.let il for Sl3,5OO, making $1,000
from the bid. His bid was an honest one, and
there was nothing to be concealed about it.
The witness was asked why he did not tell
these facts to Mr.. Ker. He replied that Mr..
her was inaccessible. lie was like the Auto
crat OF all the Russas. The witness said that
he was still an extensive star route contrac-
tor. Last year he held contracts for carving
the mails over 100000 miles. On many of
his routes he was compelled to pay more than
he received from the government.
COLGROVE STICKS TO HIS SUSPICION,
There was one thing more that incensed the
witness, and that was Mr.. Ker's proposition to
Judge Key that if the witness would giYe
some points against Mr.. French the whole
thing. including the 81, 1000, would be dropped.
The witness still understood that that was the
proposition. The witness was very indignant
why didn't you say to Mr.. Ker that you
didn't know anything against Mr.. French?''
why, couldn't get at him; he was as high
as the SUM-"
The witness reiterated that he had been a
target for abuse for years.
The committee adjourned till tomorrow.
Effective Work by Lynchers.
GALVESTON, June PA special from