National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-10
THE PRESIDENTS SINCERITY.
Mr.. George Bliss interviewed with Re-
Gard 20 the star Route Prosecutions.


Gard 20 the star Route Prosecutions.
The New York Herald yesterday published
an interview with Mr.. George Bliss with
reference to the evidence given by ex-Attor-
ney General MacVeagh before the Springer
committee. The following is part of what
Mr.. Bliss said
"Mr. Macveagh, as I understand, admits
that Gen. Arthur urged him to remain in
charge Of the star route cases qs special coun-
sol, even IL he did not remain as attorney
general. Now, whatever Mr.. MacVeagh's
opinions may have been in reference to Gen.
Arthur's probable course, he has never, to
my knowledge, mentioned any fact rs to what
Gen. Arthur did or failed TO do, tending in
any way to show that tho President did not
intend to prosecute the star route cases
earnestly, or has not done so, unless IL be such
n fact that the President refused or was UNI
willing TO remove Col Corkhill until after
Guiteau's trial was closed. 1 think this came
to an end in February 1882.
Now, COL Corkhill had had the active
charge of the preparation Of that case, and was
regarded as in a measure necessary to its trial.
II Gen. Arthur had removed him before tho
trial was concluded he would have been ex-
posed-and iustly-to the accusation OF
Gripping tho prosecution of Guiteau. His
refusal to sanction Col. Corkhill's removal
previous to the close of that trial was, 1t seems
w
praise and not to censure. Col. Corkhill, II
must be remembered, never had anything to
do with the star route cases.
In general l can say that Gen. Arthur,
| from the commencement TO the present time
has given to the counsel engaged in the star
route cases every support in his power This
| statement, coming from me. will of course be
regarded as that of personal friend of the
President, and therefore in some degree
biased but tho other two counselors Messrs
Merrick and Ker, ,aro both democrats, and
know that they have never hesitated to ex
press, both publicly and privately, that the
| President and the present attorney general
have given all the support in their power
| Really, IL seems to me, in the light of the
facts, to be absurd at this late day to be dis
| cussing the question whether Mr.. Mac Veagh't
| expectations that the star route cases would
not, under Gen. Arthur, DO pushed, were OF
were not we'll founded. If any other proc
were wanted of their incorrectness than what
l have referred to il seems to mo it can be
found in the position OF bitter and persona
hostility Of Mr.. Dorsey and his associate.
toward Gen. Arthur. l may add, however
| one fact that is perhaps not generally known
That is that while Gen. Garfield felt himsel
at liberty to receive Mr.. Dorsey privately a
the white house, Gen. Arthur refused to SCI
him except as he chose to come publicly ant
in the day time, like any other citizen"
| Mr.. MacVeagh suggests that one of his
reasons for his resignation was that his re.
naming in the cabinet might be an ombar.
rassment to the President in dealing will
these cases. Would 1t have been SOP"
I'm fact don't think it would have boen
but can easily see how Mr.. MacVeagh NIGH
have thought it would be, as he in common
with large portion of the public at tina
| time, misjudged Gen. Arthur"
"Mr. MacVeagh says there was q que stior
raised at tho opening of these cases as to
whether civil or criminal suits should be
brought. Was the decision arrived at in
your opinion wise or unwise one?'
II think the decision to bring criminal
proceedings was the proper one If investiga-
ton showed that evidence could be obtained.
"Mr. MacVeagh also says that he had never
contemplated conducting the cases in por
son--"
"Yes, Mr.. MacVeagh knew that tho dutie
of the office of attorney general were sucl
that it would be impossible for him to be per
sonally concerned in the prosecution. Mr.
Brewster, not having occupied the office s.
long, misjudged as to this, and announces
that he would take an active part in til
cases. While he did take some share HI
was, think, mortified to find that the dutie
of the attorney general were such as prac
tically to render any continuous or eiIectiv,
participation impossible. Mr.. MacVeagl
also, happen to know, considered that tn,
presidents of the office were against the attor
ney general taking part in trial for wha
was regarded as mere misdemeanor, how
| over seriouSu