Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-03-28
THE STAR ROUTE CASES.
He Breaks the sabbath in His Pn,ri
otic Work.


WAsuiNGroN, d. c., March 20.-George
Bliss was examined to-day by the Springer
committee in reference to his connection
with the Star-route investigation. He tcsti-
fled that Postmastcr-Genera James first re.
quescd him 10 be counsel He read a letter
dated August 20, 1881, to Col. James, saying
that before he accepted the position he want
cd several questions answered contidentially
such as the following: "llas the desire to
employ me anything to do with Arthur's
possible accession to the Presidency II it
docs do not feel that with my relations to
him | ought just now to 90 into the case for
1t will be considered that am there with his
consent If not procurement and though do
not doubt he would favor going for every
guilty man, 9til TO stir up the Star-routc
gang Mt the outset of his administraton-if
unfortunately he is TO have one-would add
to his difficulties by bringing down upon
him powerful gang before he has had u
chance TO cOnqucr-ag | know he will con-
quer-thc approval of the people at large.
In other words if the Star-roulers think
they would get any favor from Arthur
should want them to remain in that opinion
till nc has won in a manner the confidence
Of the non-Star-routcrs, aud | ought not to
expose him to an attack before he has
gathered the strength 10 withstand them"
Another question in the letter was, "ls
there anybody who is believed to be guilty.
.tI b saved, protected or passed by? There is
a sort pf belief that there is something of this
kind Bliss said that Mr.. James replied that
the answers to his questions would be salts
factory ~ bim. Witness read another letter
written 10 Mr. James after accepting the
app.inlmcnt, in which he relates an inter
view with Cook who represented 10 him that
It was no; certain that he could he retained
aud suggested that he should pull the wires
f he could. Bliss didn't think he would be-
begin to pull wires In the law business Wit
ness then spoke Of the interview at Long
Bra cll with james and McVeagh, and de-
nj, d that Cook was there, as Cook testified
to being.
Witness being asked to state briefly the
ma urc OF his services in the Star-rOute cases,
sli it would be a heavy job In relation to
the Dorsey case. Witness denied having
said that it was weak case as had been rep
resented before the committee. He said
when DOrsey's clerk had gone back on the
government that it weakened the case.
Witness said he found many of the state
mCnts made by Gibson to be mere infer
enccs, but on booking into the papers he de-
cidCd that the case was strong and said it was
he strongest one they had. 1t was selected
deliberately. Witness denied knowing why
the grand jury was adjourned, and in, rea-
ion t. the statute Of limitations he said he
never felt that it barred procedure in these
cases, and in most cases the statute of lim-
tations had not barred proceedings. Witness
declared that he devoted sixteen hours
day, including which he was sorry to say
sunday from Tuesday morning to Friday
night, in attending to the cases. Saturday
and Monday he looked after private business.
lie was constantly at his desk while in
Washington, aud when he was away he took
papers to examine.
You ask me what | did in these cases.
said the witness Il lived and breathed and
ate them for about two years. In his tesi-
mony 10 relation 10 the Lilly case witness
said that ellison was little Of a lawyer and
that when he sought his compensation it re
Quired a good deal Of investigation to find
that he was entitled to the name of lawyer.
Witness denied that the Straw bond cases in
the police court were unduly prolonged and
asked the committee 10 send for the judge
before who they were tried. He believed
also that the files Of the pOstoiiiCe depart
mcnt 50 far "a hey related to the Salisbury
cases we're incrferod with.