The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-22
GEORGE BLISS ON THE STAND
Important Disclosures Concerning the
Star-ROute Prosecutions.
Senator Spencers Connection with the Case
-Tildens Secret Investigation
Dorsey and the Cabinet,

" <A'Hi4NNiOtN 4ldINh Nl.7-tFtVISS IllSS COu-
tinued his testimony before the Springer com
mittee to-day. In explanation of the omission
in the second Indictment of the name of Sander
son. the witness said they ran the risk of in
validating the Indictment by including Sander
son, and out of consideration for the value of
| the indictments against the other defendants,
omitted him.
Mr. Ker, who was present, interposed: Ellis
name was left out at my suggestion; | take the
responsibility"
Il want to say right here, " continued Mr. Bliss,
''in answer to all insinuations from parties once
connected with the case that no human being
suggested an emolument to me arising out of
these cases. 1 said to Mr. Brewster that was
not criminal draughtsman, and wanted to be
! excused from drawing up the indictments, and
that besides l had sufficient work of another
character to occupy my time. Mr.. Brewster
| selected Mr.. Ker"
This supposed expert had some knowledge of
his business said Mr.. Stewart
HE had more knowledge than the gentleman
who said he was supposed expert was compe
tent to judge of, the witness responded.
Mr.. Bliss continued: The long trial resulted,
undoubtedly, iniuriously to the case. 1t result
| Nu AZ AuunS SOln0 1ltJe IellOWS RullUE anu Ulle
big ones innocent. 1t was logical impossibiiity
to find one guilty without the other The YER
dict was solecism and an absurdity."
Returning to the first trial, Mr.. Bliss said: Il
learned that George E. Spencer, an ex-senator
from Alabama, could give testimony of an i'm
portant nature of the payment of money by Mr..
Dorsey to Mr. Brady. 1 have no question bnt
Spencer made such statement. He made
it to Mr.. James, to Van Wormer, personal
| friend of James, and to man named Boynton.
| OF New York, a friend of General Garfield.
| did feel certain that Spencer was doing little
| blowing, but if | did not put Mr. Spencer on the
| stand | would have been met, and ought tc have
been met, with the statement that had wit
ness to give evidence and failed to call him. BE
came here He complained that did not con
| suit HIM avoided him. made up my mind
| not to have conference with Mr. Spencer
| before he went on the stand, and ! did
not. Chandler call him Chandler because we
| we're schoolmates together-came to me, and
| said Spencer complaining because / would
not talk to him. | said if did talk to him |
would have TO tell him l did not believe him.
Chandler urged me to change my mind; Then
| he said to me- Spencer is that kind of
who has such devotion for his friends that he
| will say no if you ask if he knows anything. l
don't believe you will get anything out of him
on the stand :"
Mr.. Bliss related IN detail the efforts to get
Spencer to testify, and the search for him. He
| said: while hunting for him in the spring, in
Canada, we came upon most important discov-
| cry. A. NJ. Gibson was found up there, in com
munieation with him. Spencer went TO Europe,
and remained there until he learned the case was
| so nearly out of court that he would not be
| called"
The witness referred to the arrest of Spencer
in last November in Nevada, for contempt, and
| to the dismissal of the case by Judge Wye.
Il can say" Mr.. Bliss continued, THAT Spen-
GERS interest in the start route passed from
the government side to the other side as early as
| December"
The witness expressed a lack of confidence in
| Cook and Gibson, and continued. "Ciibson Is en-
titled to the credit of having early arrived at the
knowledge of the star-route frauds He wrote
considerable for the New York Sun. At some
tme other Tilden became so far interested
that he furnished money to be quietly used in
the investigation. At a certain stage of the
matter Mr. Tilden sent c. f. McIIain to Washing
ton He was known as the adopted son of 6ir.
| Tilden. He is a gentleman and lawyer, if these
| things can be combined
IF this is hearsay,' interposed member of
| the committee, I'VE do not want it"
Il am not going 70 affect Tilden," the witness
responded.
Mr.. Bliss continued: ''McLain came to Wash
ington and went back. and said things were
! properly managed. He was a law partner of II. e.
| Knox. Knox was a chum of James A Garfield
| Tilden obtained this information, and if he had
| been nominated by the Democratic party he
| would have made campaign on the starroute
| frauds. If he had, there would not have been
need for an electoral commission. But Tilden
| did not and he did not give
| his information to Hancock Late in
! February. after the presidential election, Knox
| proceeded to communicate the star-Poute frauds
| 20 General Garfield. l think that was why Mr.
Dorseys influence with him ended. The Cabinet
was not made up as Mr.. Dorsey wanted it. My
personal relations with Mr.. Dorsey were social
and pleasant. 1 attended the famous Dorsey
dinner He wanted man in the Cabinet and
wanted the same man in the same position"
What was the gentlemans namel' asked Mr.
Springer
-"Tll tell you; it was Charles J. Folger We
wanted him for Secretary of the Treasury, but
he not put in Mr. Garied's Cabinet He
was offered the Attorney generalship and de-
elined"
Mr.. Bliss said that during the trial of the star
ants were in possession of information supposed
to be belonging exclusively to the government
counsel
Question-Was any explanation made to the
grand jury when Kellogg was indicted, that it
was serious matter to indiet United States
senator2
Auswer-One of the colored julymen said it
would be serious matter
Mr. Millikin inquired of what Cook complained
when he was discharged from the government
servicel
THAT confidence was not maintained in him"
said Mr.. Bliss. The truth was we could not
traverse the fact. 1t was a great relief to me-
such relief that | went off and broke two bot
ties of champagne.
Further examination of the witness was post
poned until Tuesday week Adjourned until
Monday.