Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-12
FROM WASHINGTON.
STAR ROUTE INvESrIGArION.
WIN. A. Cook Examined Before the
Springer Investigating Committee.

VINO might be indicted in the Star Route case
hr- Cook declined TO accept the retainer
Shortly after his appointme Mt as special coun-
sci, ne said he had an interview with Pre.-
dent Garfield
The President at their interview had said
the cases had involved many who had been
his special friends. While he expected the
counsel 20 act under the Attorney General
he said that he wanted it understood that he
was the head of the people. and he desired
the witness to communicate with him at any
hour on the cases under consideration. Cook
testified that the President said, 81 want
most thorough and impartial investigation
OF the faets, and wherever il conducts you,
want you to go ahead, irrespective of per
sons" Witness said he had an interview
with the President and the Post Master Gen.
eral the Wednesday evening before the Pres
ldent was assassinated. said believed the
cases had made as rapid progress as posi-
ble- He said he was satisfied. Before leav-
ing said to the President that he should be
careful Of his movements. A bitterness had
arisen between the stalwarts and half breeds,
and there were connected with these cases
men of extreme training. said at the time
that there might be a resort to violence:
such was the impression then on his mind.
My impression for the movement touched
the President but he responded that there
was no danger. The bitterness of feeling
was so strong that would not have been sur
prised if it had carried itself against the Post
Master General and Attorney General. |
don't think used at the interview the Ian
euage recently placed in my lips BY Mr..
James, but stated In substance what | have
given you.
The inference drew originally was that
the shooting of the President was not the re-
suit of the individual action of Guiteau. and
have never been fully satisfied that the in
ference was incorrect. A person came to me
saying that Guiteau, accompanied BY two or
three persons. was in his establishment seek
ing pistol. had an affidavit to that effect
The party was a second hand clothing dealer,
and also dealt in pistols. | do not now tell
his name. but will get it for the committee :;
the party did not know the persons accom-
panying Guiteau, but described them. They
seemed to be unknown persons to him, and
he was we'll acquainted in the city.
had consultation with Corkhill, Dis
trict Attorney, concerning the investigation
that night, to lend to the discovery of other
associates with Guiteau. Immediately after
the assassin was incarcerated, he was taken
in charge by the District Attorney and 9TH
ers. and very few were allowed an interview
with him.
teau give any declared purpose for so doing?"
asked Milliken.
Nothing but that Guiteau was individually
responsible. The President was included in
part with those against whom there was
bitter feeling"
In reference to the Star Route prosecu-
tions, Cook said no effort was made to secure
an indictment against any person except
those interested in the Dorsey combination
and they had but a small per cent. of the
routes. Corkhill was not in the prosecu-
ton, and it was generally supposed that the
star reuters had corner on him.
Continuing, Mr.. Cook said: After the
consultation at Long Branch l returned to
Washington to secure indictments, but found
the grar d jury discharged. 1t had only been
in session two days. was told on my ar
rival at the depot that Corkhill, the district
attorney, had adjourned the jury. Its dis
charge was sudden, and unusual at that sea-
son of the year. l never was able to ascer
tain any reason for the adjournment, unless
it was because the statute of limitation
would operate in favor of a number of cases.
Question-To whom would you attach
the blame in this matter?
Cook--Blame would attach to the district
attorney. The impression was on my mind
that the adjournment was made to prevent
the indictment being found in the Star Route
cases.
Do YOU think you could have gotten con-
viction by the Washington jury? asked Mil
liken.
NV strongest conviction is, replied Cook,
that could have secured conviction. The
two lures were composed of men as honora-
BILE as could be found.
What were the wrong methods which led
to failure to convict?
The prosecution erred in presenting case
too complicated: a case embracing too many
parties Itwas discussed at tine conference
at Elberon. Bliss, at that consultation, said
he did not think there could be conviction
in it, and it was this that was pressed toward
by the prosecution as test case
Do YOU think it was the weakness of the
case or the method of the trial that resulted
in the acquital? asked Milliken.
To some extent both.
Why was that case taken instead of
strong one?
In nv Office one day, in speaking Of that
case. when endeavored to call Bliss atten-
ton to it, he said he intended to try Dorsey.
Dorsey and Boone he called head devils, and
he stated he intended to pursue them first.
Uuquestionably there was personal feeling
on the mart of Bliss towards Dorsey and
Boone.
What would have been your verdict II you
had been the twelve jurymen in the Dorsey
trial? asked Milliken.
As the case was presented, should say
the defendants were not proven guilty
Did vou recommend to the attorney gen.
eral when you resigned who should be in
dicted.
I made no recommendation to Brewster,
because was satisfied it would be useless to
do so. When l went to him | offered him
some suggestions, ard he said must remem-
Der that he was largely indebted for his po-
sition to Bliss, and that Bliss was an inte-
mate friend. The attorney general said he
must allow him to conduct the case. The
suggestions of Bliss were accordingly carried
out. and nv suggestions were of no eonss-
quence.
The witness asserted that Bliss made sew
eral arrests without letting him knew. Bliss
wrote me a letter, Mr.. Cook continued, in
which he said he had issued warrants for the
arrest of Boone and others. He said; Do
as YOU please. Say you know all about 1t or
nothing about it. That was the commission
from Bliss for me TO lie I asked the attor-
new general if he had given Bliss authority to
act without consulting me, and he said,
must do things I would not otherwise do,
because of my Indebtedness to Bliss. | said