The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-07
Mr.. MacVeagh's Testimony.


Mr.. MacVeagh's Testimony.
To the Western Associated Press.
WAsErNGroN March 6-Ex-A Attorney gener-
al Macveagh continued his testirnoney to-day
before the Springer committee relative to his
connection with the starroute cases. Those
cases would present themselves to anybodys
mind as having very grave political complica-
TONS One of the gentlemen accused, 5. w.
Dorsey, had been United States senator and an
active member of the Republican party in the
recent canvass. Another gentleman whose
name was the subject of common rumor was
then Republican United States Senator, W. P.
Kellogg, and at that time the Senate was he
publican by one majority In addition to this
there was perfectly well-marked and univer-
sally known division of opinion in the Republic
an party. Mr.. MacVeagh remembered ex-
planning very fully to President Garfield, in the
presence of the Postmaster general, the very
great gravity of initiating such investigation.
At first appearance the figures were so startling
and the uniformity of evidence Of mismanage-
ment so absolute, that it seemed to him that as
chief executive General Garfield ought to con-
slider before taking any step from which retreat
of that step would be. If he (MacVeagh) was
Joined to these cases, and started them, there
was no way of stopping them short of an exhaust
i've examination before jurors, except the re
source the President always had Of dispensing
with the Attorney generals services. and that
might be embarrassing, also. 1t was one of the
misfortunes of the case, Mr. MaeVeagh said,
that up to this time no efforts had been made to
secure indictments against the three gentlemen
most prominently mentioned-Dorsey, Brady
and Kellogg. Tt was, then, impossible to make
an intelligent exposition of the cases.
al had said to Dorsey and his counsel, Mr.
Macy eagh continued, that we had no charges
to formulate We were not then in position to
do so--had found record which evidenced
guilt We had also started a train of inspectors
to investigate, but not until they reported
could we tell what ought to be done
I had n doubt, unless there was something to
change the impression given by the records, we
would have to proceed against these gentle
men"
The witness entered into details of the pro-
posed manner of conducting the details of the
prosecution. He said on one occasion he found
himself, without pre-arrangement, however, at
the Postofice Department with Postmaster gen
eral James, Dorsey and IngersoQ. 1t was then
supposed an investigation through regular jul
dicial channel would be feasible. This prose
cutioIa Macy eagh said, was source of anxiety
and, l might say, of distress to President Gar
field II was understood that he favored prose-
cution in the court Other methods, however
of correcting the wrongs were pursuing were
suggested. Dorsey asked me if l proposed to
disregard the wishes of the President
/ answered ! had no knowledge that
the President wished any other method of
prosecution than the ordinary channel. went to
Eastern college to see my boys graduate, but
received kilograms summoning me back imme-
diately to counteraet the efforts of Dorsey and
others to have me turned out of the Cabinet. If
| replied at all, | sand the object was not near
enough to my heart TO shorten my visit, and l
did not return until | expected to. When [ re-
turned was told that vigorous efforts had been
made to turn me out ON the ground of base con
duct, it even being intimated that had engaged
in plot to steal papers sent to the President
I was only interested to know if the Presi
dtnt had seen fit to receive such charges
He said he had declined them. These
charges had been made by Rerdel Before the
death of President Garfield l thought it my
duty to remain; after his death l thought it my
duty to leave was known to have been in
very ardent political sympathy with President
Garfield on all questions. about which the Re-
publican party was so strenuously divided, al
most into two hostile camps at Chicago Upon
everyone Of these questions l had been
in as hearty accord with him as
/ had been in hearty and strenu-
Gus opposition to President Arthur
Mr. Arthur was well known to entertain and to
sentimental politicians, of whom was one and
I was known to have leng entertained and fire.
quently expressed very low opinion of practical
politicians, of whom he was one and these gen
tlemen certainly must have seen that the Presi-
dent who called me here and had sustained me
under great obloquy and abuse in these prosecu-
tions, being dead and buried, l was in no
position whatever to bring to these cases the
requisite moral support. The opinion of these
gentlemen was intensified by newspapers edited
by Messrs. Hastings and Gorham. They had
steadily taken the side of President Arthur
and as steadily opposed me with
as mean words as their tongues
could express. When Mr.. Arthur came here |
found him III close utilization with these editors.
When you gentlemen, consider these things
and when you add the condition of affairs as
they existed in the District of Columbia, think
YOU will see the improperly of my remaining in
a prosecution against such gentlemen. At first
President Arthur agreed with Gorham and
others that ought to retire, but subsequently
he saw his way clear to ask me to remain. The
reports of unfriendliness between President
Arthur and myself were untrue Nothing but
the utmost kindness and frendliness existed"
MIR. MacVeagh said he desired to have
District-atterney CorkhiIl removed, but the
President differed with him. and said that Cork
hill should remain to prosecute Guiteau. The
witness did not consider 800 day an unreason-
able compensation for attorneys in the star-route
cases.
TT was reported that Garfield proposed your
removal from the Cabinet said Mr.. Springer
"Will you explain that"
81 came into the Cabinet as President Gar
fields choice. ] never allowed anybody to ask
the President fer my appointment and took the
means to let him know did not seek the place
I cannot believe he contemplated any such
act If he did. l made it easy for
him at one time to dispense with my services
He made an appointment in my department
while was absent that objected TO. He knew
/ must go out if the appointment remained. l
bad and cSpdr NV att no
night before he was shot he was exceptionally
kind and cordial. l had no reason to doubt
from the moment entered his Cabinet until he
died but that had his confidence to the fullest
of the appointment, and induced me to remain"
Ex-senator Spencer is expected to appear be-
fore the committee tomorrow.