New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-03
MR.. BLISS AND HIS FEES.
DEFENDING HIS CHARGES WITH vIGOR.

WHAT HE KNOWS AND DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT
STAR ROUTE CAsEs--PERTINENT QUESTIONS.
WASHINGTON, April 2.-Mr. Bliss began his
testimony before Mr. Sprngers committee to-day by say
ing that the original contracts on the nineteen routes IN
cludcd in the Dorsey prosecution amounted to Sl'l3o
when increased they amounted TO $l4s61o lie enumer-
atcd the indictments found in the star Route cases or
indictments found against persons in Mobile, for giving
alleged bogus bonds Mr. Bliss said he desired to prose-
cute the bondsmen 81 was overrulea, however, he
continued "by tho Attorney General. He wanted to cry
hat there had much talk about expenses think
he was influenced mostly by counsel fees.
Q-Your fees were going on Any fees would have
gone on afr.
Q.-Are You still counsel A.-NOt now; my relations
ceased practically early IN January 1t may have been
February. Ny relations formally ceased last week.
The wtns entered into details relative to the action
OF the Grand Jury certain routes routes presented II
on which indictments might be found. Mr. Bliss said I:
There was post office. called Hayes, aud named
after the President. that we could not find"
Oft was a fraud then At was about "a difficult
to find 1t "a It is difficult 10 find him how.
The witness continued: al remember saying to mem
Der of the jury after learned Indictment had been
founl in cert ain cases. that good del surprised
The urymln said: We trle1 to do right That same
fury found indictments against Brady and Dorsey, but 1t
did not find indictments In the Salisbury and Parker
eases"
Q-Can you account for the failure OF the Grand Jury
to lind the Indictmentsl Al can't account for It, no
more than can account for the failure of Jury to con-
Wet in the Dorsey trial considered the evidence COM
plete
ON your opinion was there undue influence brought
to bear Oh ths Grand jury ASo fer as the Salisbury
and Parker contracts concerned never saw undue
influence got any indication that the friends OF
Parker or Salisbury knew the were before the
Grand Jury 1t indicted in the Dorsey case and In these
cases IT. didn't. can't understand It. OF course the
thought through my mind, could there he undue in
Auaneei looked around, bat couldn't find any.
Q-The same efforts made to secure indictments
against Salisbury ard Parker as against Dorsey and
Bradyl Ayes, perhaps greater.
Q-vere you of the opinion that your associate counsel
were endeavoring to secure an Indictment A.-Both
were earnest myself.
O-Was the evidence clear as in the Dorsey case
Ave had not the aggregation in reference to
Salisbury as to Dorsey The Salisbury routes were in tho
names of different people In single route the evil
donce strong as In the Dorsey case.
Q.-Dd yOu ever say Dorsey's case was weaki Al
never said IT, because 1 never thought it. Icertsiny
was not focl enough to down case was trying.
Q-Have you at any time criticised the way the prose
cuon was conduetedi A.-Ho sir, no sir, no sir.
Q.-You made suoh statement in an interviews A
can't keep up with the interviews At ono time paper
here published interview with me, when had been
out OF the city for several weeks.
Mr. Iis spoke of the fees he received as Government
counsel At the request Of the AorneyGelcral he sa,
he had recently written eitcr the Attorney-Goneral
desinc the letter that he might comply with a rcsOlu
ton of the Senate calling for an account or counsel fees
In the star konn cases. The witness read the letter
which in substance is as follows:
when first informally approached by Thomas L.
James TO being retained counsel for the Govern
meni, expressed my uhwiiungness to De retained on
the double erodnd that, however faithfully council
served the Government they got no thanks ana thar
there wa ALWAYS difficulty IN colecuhS me coinph'a
ton. rearUhor that in personal letter then wrltifA
ated mat nay experience was tiat tnaf e a., S
compensation vas always cut down nan ana thlt thr
YOU had % employ cOrkscrew and claim agent 10 col
iect IT. EXpencuce shows was right. IN spite OF my
EXPIRE sion OF unwingncs7, was invited 10 meet At
torncy General MacVeagh and PostmasterGeDersl
James and as q result / agreed 10 be retained. The
proper rate of compensation was then talked over. |
ci t. the Attorney General that for some years ha1
professional services away from home; that should
be paid that rate that did not consider that that
elaborate argument and that for sucn labor should be
allowed something additional, At this conversation
agreed be retained, and informed you were also
Mr. Biiss continuing said that Mr.. Brewster wrote a
sc si talked Of In which he asked that 500" De
paid to both Bliss and himself for services then rendered
and asked that 800 day be paid whc occupied IN mo
case together With expenses. Mr. Brewster. MI Bliss
said makes difference between service at home AMI
service away from home made distinct difference. ]
had he n 50 badly treated by former Attorney
General that J. determined not ,,, 70 take
ing beforehand as to what 1 should receive"
verbal contract by which he was TO receive 500 day
all The ue that ne required 10 travel ut NIGHT tna slOo
ncut involving strain on brain ana body; and that his
cXUpiiS9s Should ID" ltiiu
O-Did You understand the contra ~ with MacVeagh
10 bud his Surcessori A.Our cOnyor'aon was based
the idea OF his gong out.
O-What was your entire charge A.--Ffy-nne thou
sand f,vn hundred and thiFfy-rS0 dollars, OF this
amount S3i2 Was fer expenses; about 5000 OF II Is
stu unpaid.
Oh Gibson says you got $3.50 day. A.-That is
not true My bill covered greater periods than he reck
1nrd.
O-IIow many men did yen convictl A.--Only two.
Q.-Were they punished A.-No sir.
Odd you collect any money for the Government
A-NO sir: I've not gone into the Insurance business
O.-W1ud You charge for sunday Al think my
bills VII show that 1 charged FOR Sunday. know
worked sunday.
O-Who.e fault 90 Won think II that there were no
covicti0uSl Al think the fault Of the jury, sir
Continuing ar Bliss said d" / say distinctly that
never charged than 800 day, except, possibly,
when the trial being conducted. would consider 1t
mighty poor day IN NeW-YoTk whom don't get 500.
por1an b. Eaton laid to the other day: They are
finding fault with your fee. For years before gave mp
practice ia YORK did not think OF leaving the city
without charging 500 2 day"
Odd yOu charge the United States for the time you
occupied In trying any other while you were EN-
-L--.-L L.. L-o..L-, ~ A - No