New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-06
THE STAR ROUTE CASES.
MIR. JAMES AND MIR. MAcvEAGH TESTIFY.
THE HISTORY OF THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
GARFIEID's INTEREST IN 1T.

GARFIELD's INTEREST IN IT.
WASHINGTON, March INSTRUMENTATION
eral James and ex-Atomey General MacVeagh were eI
amlned to-day by Mr. sprngers Committee relative TO
the expenditures OF the Department OF Justice In the
prosecution of the Star Route cases OF the committee
there were present Representatives Springer Stewart
Fyon. Crisp Hemphl, Bowen aud Milliken. Mr.. James
read statement as follows:
TMAsTER-G GENERAL JANIEs's STATEMENT
In common with most citizens who took a
lively interest in public affairs had read the comments
OF the daily papers the alleged Star Route iTregu-
larties had watched the developments OF the Congress
sional investigations OF 1873 1879 and $780, and had
discussed the subject with various postal officials but my
attention was first specifically called to the matter 10y
ex- United States Senator George L. Spencer, OF Ala
bama and other well-informed gentlemen II their
belief that millions OF dollars had been wasted
necessary star service-service much OF which had
never been performed and which procured by i'm
proper means. 1t was also maintained that an honest
thorough investigation would render practicable re
trenchmens, without detrimcnt TO the service, which
would not only make the Post Office Department self
sustaining but would yield respectable revenue to the
Treasury.
known. The publicity given TO them, added TO the TACT
that while Postmaster at New-York, when asked by
stephen W. Dorsey to certify in my official capacity, 10
oG ., he Post Oicc DoDaTtment refused 10 do so
may account the bitter opposition my appointment
to Cabinet position which developed In certain
Invent to Washington on the night Of the Cd of March,
in answer to teegraplic dispatch from Mr.; Wmtelaw
Reid which understood 10 represent General GarneS
desire On the 81 called on him ut the Riggs House. In
company with Mr.. Reid, between ana 10 a. m AFTER
shaking hands and talking for moment. Mr. Reid said
in substancc addressing General Garfield. that he had
asked me 10 he General Garfield mad de-
sired and had told me it was IN reference to some slg
cestion of my for Postmaster General; that had
said that if the Treasury Department was likely to come
TO NewYork did not want to be In the way ana mat ne
reid had assured me that was now settled General
Garfield addressing me- said: Ihat Is aosolu'ey SET
tied the Treasury Department cannot go TO New-I
Mr. Reid, continuing, said he had told me that General
Garfield expected 10 get on satisfactorily ana without
friction with both the factions IN fOih anu oe t
my appointment, II made, would hclp 10 that end-pt
wished to know WHETHER IN case controversies s4ouu
be forced upon him. he could he sc II were maze ost
master General, that my political affiliations IN New
Administrations General Garfield SAID les that ls
about it -; and then replied: Such contlngency, III
my Judgment will not arise, but II Should II accept
your nomination. must rs gentleman either De oysi
TO the President or resign" General Garfield SAID
TO the work OF the Post Office Department. sad that II
went into It should Ike to carry out plan had
already formed OF going abroad 10 finish up study Of
the London methods for city free delivery service and
the General replied that he would arranse tat ne then
Ws b Euecd me- To- nd it out and then nut the
ponch I'm 10 the beam and after that to subsOil it, lie
asked what knew Of the frauds replied that my
Ino Wedge derived from the newspapers from the
Investigations which had taken place and from hearsay
The only persons present at the conversation were tne
President MIR Reid and myself left for NewYOrk in
The afternoon train with my friend. Charles T. Smith. OF
PHILADELPHIA. Mr. Dorsey not present az TINS Inter
view nor did | him. neither did call on nor meet
other conversation or communication OF any sort direct
or Indirect with General Garfield until after my name
had been sent To the senate.
PRESIDENT GARFIELD URGES An INVESTIGATION.
on the 9th OF March, after my appointment as Post
General the President sent for me and brought
IN the subject OF the star Route service. He said he
was satisfied that there had been wful waste Of the
prbc money and gross corruption; that while he did not
wish to have mail facilities necessary to the welfare Of
any community curlle ali 3inecc,' ia; any
CANT service must be TolcutesSF c oii mat me service
actual P,lg inIrrsf. that the proposed nvesfip,-
ou must aimed at system and moi 40 men, bat tldt
II the inquiry should disclose the fact that any person or
nersons had been guilty Of corruption fraud that
non or those persons must be handed over 20 the De
uartment OF Justice. He instructed me 10 pursue TINS
until there were no more facts o ascertain
ana asked: How do you propose 10 proceed = replied
that with his approval. should telegraph T. H. Wood
ward of Connectcut formerly Chiet Special Agent Of
the Post Office Department and man OF character ana
integrity who. while in the Department, had rendered
great service 10 the Government IN hreakug up the
practice Of bidding" in connection with star
Route CONTRACTS TO come To- MaIngior; ana Ihht
would place the investigation IN MS hands Inc IIeslden'
said thai this met with his entire approval
on my way back to the Department met Senator
Hawley and Governor Jewell. Of Connecticut; Amy
request both thee gentlemen tcegr1ied TO MI Wool
ward u accept the position OF Inspector IN reny to ny
telegram Mr.. Woodward met me in New-Iork. on the
18TH OF March, when asked MIN to become my con
frauds. He accepted, accompanied me to washington
and was commissioned an Inspector on the an OF
March notified the President OF Mr. Woodward
arrival lie sad that he was much annoy cI IN resrd 70
certain larse post 3ices II Noitn Slr2na sC, 10
in anDointnents in this connecticut that only 1T TO
he nosnasers and those having the confidence OF the
ucole shsuld be appointed, and that Mr. Woodward
had formerly lived in the south nc Thought II would ne
we'll to place all the applications for appointment IN his
hands ana let him visit the cities in which these offices
we're located inquire into the fitness and character OF
the applicants, and recommend the person hest equipped
for the place These suggestions were carried ont, and
m consequence little progress was made in the star
Woodward's absence visited Ncg-York and then
informed by MIR. David +. Nelson, clerk IN the New
York Post Once. that MrJohn SWnton one OF me edlt-
ors Of Thc Nor York sun, would If. 50 desired place me
in communication with gentleman who would mater,
ally aid me in the impending investlgaton. sent ~ord
to Mr.. Swnto that he would confer favor upon me Dy
connected with me Ner York SnH aS us Washington cor
respondent, calling on me at the Department, making
valuable suggestions, and placing ia my 1dIs eYuehce
Of great Importance bearing upon star Route matters
and me-. hOds. 49,
With the imperfect insrumentalitie Fat hand and in
the face OF the most serious obstacles pan OF opera
lions adopted and the preliminary invesgatic was
command were maze a'allaDle' Steps were ulheh 10
authenticate specific OF abuse long suppressed re-
ports OF Inspectors doubtful service were eNhuned
md consulted and where me originals We're hot dlscoA
cradle in the contract division Of the Second Assistant
Postmaster Generals occ copies were procured from
those who made them, and inspection OF the doubtful
service Ivy experienced and trustworthy agents OF the
Department was immediately ordered by telegraph.
The state OF affairs thus revealed truly appalling.
Aldays OF contractors NJ which Increase OF service
and edition we're unhesitansB ordered were Iteey
accepted when the most superficial inquiry on the
pant of Inspector procured at small cost would nave
saved untold thousands 10 the Department Inspectors
designed by law 10 jealousy guard thc interests OF every
branch OF the service and advise the
of any abuses irregularities which might NJ any Time
or I'm any place fall their notice, percmpoIy
forbidden TO trench upon the star Route domain by
power which appeared 10 be greater than that OF the
mead OF the Department and whose unsp0ken WORD was
obcyed as law.
This vast and important service stretching for thou
sands of miles east west north and south IN regions OF
country infested by bands Of hostile Indians or desperate
outlaws and often accessible only by blackboard or
on horseback was relcgated Ia the care OF one man,
borne upOn the rolls OF the Department ~ an Assistant
SUPERINTENDENT OF Railway Mail Service, and vino oc-
embed desk in the office OF the Second Assistant Post
maser-Genera Manfestly there was method In all
az thp M a
sure came the conviction that the personnel OF the De
partmcnt and OF branches OF The service was IN
fenselv hostile To the new order OF things and must he
nnreed No sooner had this work begun than bitter and
malignant attacks appeared in the columns Of star
Por organs on the President. the Attorney General
The General and whoever else suspected
of "A dsDOsitOn promote clean honest AMI business
Of