The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1884-06-26
STAR ROUTE MYSTERIES,

Hon, Richard 7, MerrIck, Star route
counsel for the Government, made some
Interesting revelations in his testimony
before thu Springer Committee He
brought out the fact beyond controversy
that Kellogg, of Louisiana, plucked
Price, the swindling contractor Of $2O,'
900 under the plea that the money was
to bc used In the interest of the Repub.
lican party and Kellogg has stated he 30
used 1t. Kellogg was screened from in-
dictment and punishment until he
could plead the statute of limitations.
The late j. W. BOsler, Of Carlisle, In
dian aud Star route contractor for years,
acquiring wealth, has been Blaine's
closest friend In Pennsylvania. He was
Dorsey's partner, aud the PostOfllce De-
partment show that One'half OF the
money yielded by the Dorsey expedited
routes was paid to him, Mr., Bosler was
not Indicted but the Government SUM
moned him to appear asa witness aud to
produce his books and papers He was
unwilling that Mr., Merrick, a Democrat,
should soc hlg books, because they con,
tained records Of political assess
mants," Mr.. MerrIck did not see them.
He wss also unwilling TO appear as a
WitnesG, and 40 the request Of one OF his
"frlends" he was excused from testify
ing, counsel having secured from him o
letter which the Government desired to
use, This friend" made hls request to
Mr.. Nerrick, and that gentleman on
Friday refused to tell the Springer
Committee the friends" name. The
testimony Is as follows;
Mr., Bosler was subpenaed to appear
as q witness that he had received the
original letter. He was detained In
Washington, and while waiting TO be-
called to the stand Mr.. Merfiek said he
was approached by an individual, who
asked that Mr.. BOsler be relieved from
the subpoena. Mr., Merrick replied that
all he dCsIfed was the letter, and II that
could be obtained he was willing TO ex-
cuse the witness, An effort was made
by several members Of the committee TO
get Mr.. Merrick to tell who the indiyld-
ual was that asked for B0sler'a dis.
charge az witness. He refused, how
ever, TO do no. In reference to the books
Of Mr., B0slor, which the counsel for the
prosecution decided TO examine, Mr..
Merrlck said objection was made TO his
looking NJ them, because they contain.
ed an account OF political assessments.
Commenting ON this extraordinary
development, The New York Times says;
II is generally understood In Wash.
ingt0n that the man who procured this
favor for B0sler and by his influence
deprived the Government OF the testi-
mOny which B0aler and his books might
have been forced TO give against the de-
PENDANTS. was James &. Blaine, whom
the Republican party has nominated 10
be President Of the United States.
If Mr.. Blaine served any member Of
the Star route ring rot included In the
Dorsey party, when he was President
Garheld's chief adviser or after he had
retired from the Cabinet to become a
historian, he has reaped his reward, for
II was by the assistance OF men thor.
0ughly familiar with Star route opera.
tions and associated with tho Star route
contractors as partners or counsel that
he broke iuto the South by the road that
they had cleared for him through the
Arkansas delegation,