The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-08
TIE STAR ROUTE SCANDALS.
Ex-senator Spencer Testifies Before the
Springer Committee.
lie ContradictS Parts of POstmaster-Gen
eral James's Testim0ny-HOw the Pros
ecutiOns We're Brought About

of Alabama now a resident of Nevada, was ex-
amined to-day by the Springer committee con
corning the starroute investigation. early in
January 1881, he said. 81 went from Nevada to
New York on business. One day, while walking
on Broadway, l met James, then postmaster at
New York and he asked me TO accompany him
to his office. did so, and when at the office he
told me he wanted to go into Garfelds Cabinet
as Postmaster general, and asked me to assist
him. I said 1 would assist him, and afterwards
did render what aid could. When he had been
appointed Postmaster-general, I said to him
he hal an opportunity few men had in
a lifetime to make great reputation.
He asked how l replied, he could
make the PostOfice Department selfsustaining
the first year and the next year could reduce
postage to two cents. Howl he again asked.
by breaking up the star-route ring replied.
took pledge from him that whatI said should
be strictly confidential Several men connected
with the ring lived in the West and were al
most neighbors of mine, and desired that my
name should not go to the public as informer.
Afterward, / went to General Garfield and re-
ceived pledge from him that what should say
to the Postmaster general should be confidential.
He gave me the same assurance that James had
given, that my information should be secret 1t
was at my suggestion, then, that Woodward was
selected to take general charge of the investiga-
ton. One day while in the Postofice Depart
ment, Tyner insisted that Woodward should not
be appointed. then said thought Woodward was
the best man to take hold Of the matter. He was
appointed and given general directions for
making the entire investigation. In the winter
of 1881 / remained in New York and used to
meet A. NJ Gibson. He told me what he knew,
and afterward showed me table of the ninety
three routes he had prepared We met in Wash
ington and together went to Woodwards room,
whore he was made acquainted with Gibsons
information. / remained in Washington about
three months most of the time getting up evil
dence for the star-route cases. | remained in
Washington until Garfield was shot l made up
my mind that beyond saving the government two
or three millions of dollars year, the investiga
ton would be a failure. Receiving no pay for
what was doing l paid little attention to the
subject, and in the latter part of March, 1882,
went to Nevada and remained until June"
Mr. Spencer then gave account of his return
to New York, his being subpenaed to Washing
ton, 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 Secre-
tary Chandler Bliss came to the latter one day.
They went out and talked two or three hours. L
interrupted them several times but Bliss said
q
Ter that he desired not to see me until l went on
the stand and if / didn't swear to what he ex-
pected he would crOssexamine me. l remained
here until court adjourned went TO New ork
and showed Senator Conkling my subpoena. He
saw it was not in legal form, and advised me to
go on 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.
'Iwant to state, said witness, that of my own
knowledge | knew no material fact, that would
be admitted as evidence that would tend to con
Wet Through Secretary Chandler this was
stated to Bliss
g Witness referred to the testimony of exPost-
master general James, in which he said that
Spencer told him Dorsey had gone to Senator
Speneer's room and said See how do bust
ness" whereupon he placed Ave or six thou
sand dollars in envelope, put it on table,
and Brady came in, took the envelope
and money and left II did not say that had
seen Brady and Dorsey in room together 1
never saw Dorsey pay Brady any money. James
was mistaken We have talked so much on the
star route investigation that he may have got
things mixed. If | made such a statement l
must have been drunk. am not in the habit of
getting drunk.
''Then you understand" asked Mr. Stewart,
member of the committee that the statement
of Mr. James concerning the payment of money
by Dorsey to Brady made out Of whole
clothF'
II certainly never heard of the payment of the
money. Dorsey at one timew very bitter on
Brady, and was anxious for his removal as Sec
ond Assistant Postmaster general"
The witness then testified concerning the star
route prosecutions.
81 always felt he said. that the government
took the most complicated case. ] felt as if it
was incorporating before the public and could
not see why complicated case should be taken
when there were some that were not com
plicated. l do not think anybody was ever
prosecuted, except the Dorsey combination. That
held about Is per cent. of the expedited routes
in my recollection the smallest per cent.
Thore was seandalous gossip connected with the
talk why second indictment was not
found but as | do not know anything as fact
do not like to repeat it. Second Assistant Post
master general Elmer told me an agreement had
been made to compromise with the larger con
tractors and combinations. They asked for arbi-
traton. and said they were willing to pay back
the money if the government proved it had been
taken illegally The arbitration board was to
consist of one man representing the government
and one representing the contractors. These
two were to select third. Mr.. Elmer said he
had been selected on the part of the government,
Colonel Ingersoll on the part of the defendants.
and the third man was to be George Bliss.
The board never met such action be-
ing entirely Illegal 1t was an open
secret that the contractors had to pay 81 1-3
per cent for expediting and increasing the serv
ice. No one ever told me that In the shape /
could swear to it, but never had any doubt but
it was a fact 1t was supposed TO go to the Sec
ond Assistant Postmaster general, but was not
in the secret, and do not know certainly"
Mr. Spencer said he was anxious to break up
the star-route ring to vindicate Kinds, formerly
a contractor. and now a resident of Decatur,
Ala. He had been prosecuted while contractor,
the witness asserted, and the latter was anxious
to see the prosecutors come to grief.
A, NJ Gibson Is expected TO appear tomorrow.
The Caholzia Murder.
ST LOUIS, March THE skull of the peddler
,nT1rdered near CahOkia Ill several dayS ago.