Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-03-14
STAR-ROUTE INVESTTGA 7ION.

EX-SENATOR SPENCER AND LAWYERS gibson
AND COOK TELL WHAT THEY KNOW ABOUT
THE TRIALS AND WHY THEY FAILED.
Ex-senator Spencer formerly of Alabama
but now of Nevada, followed ex-Postmastor-
General James and Mr.. Nc Veagh in giving
testimony before the star-route committee.
He said that in January, 1881, Mr.. James ask
ed him to help him into Garfelds cabinet as
postmaster general, and that ho did so. When
he had been appointed postmaster-g general
Spencer said to him that he had had an op-
pOrtunty that few men had in a lifetime to
make great reputation He asked how, and
Spencer replied that he could make the post
Office department sef-sustaining the first
year, and that the next year he could reduce
the postage to two cents. How z" he again
asked by breaking up the star route ring"
Spencer replied Spencer took pledge from
him that what he said should be strictly con-
tidential and then gave him what help he
could in the way of evidence. Before long
however, he concluded that there was no ev.
idence to convict anybody, and that IT, only
result would be to reform the service. This
fact was stated to Geo. Bliss through Secre-
tary Chandler. Spencer said that he did not
tell James that Brady had visited his room
and taken an envelope containing $1,000 or
$4,000 kept by Dorsey. James was mistaken
They had talked SO much about the star-route
Investigations that James may have got things
mixed concerning the star route prosecutions
Spencer then testified concerning the star
route prosecutions II always felt" he said,
that the government took the most com
plicated case l felt az il it was masquerad-
ing before the public and could not see why
a complicated case should be taken when
there were some that we're not SO conplicat.
ed. l don't think that anybody was ever
prosecuted except the Dorsey combination
that held only about 10 per cent of the expo.
dited routes
A. NJ Gibson, employed as special counsel
in the star-route cases, was next on the stand
The most interesting part of his testimony
was that in which he intimated that the rea-
son that Geo. Bliss, leading counsel for the
government insisted on taking up the COM
plicated Dorsey Brady case was that there
was more money in it for the counsel. He
gave figures showing that the total amount
paid for Mr.. Bliss services including salary
and personal expenses, was $ji, 1872, an aver
age of something over $3.50 day for salary
and over $40 day for personal expenses. Mr.
Ker received 1872, 9l4, or over $3.50 day.
For preparing indictments in star-route and
straw-bond cases he charged $4,000. One
of the indictments was abandoned and a new
one framed in its place by Mr.. Merrick. The
government paid in all for counsel fees in
Washington S1sG, LAG, of which, beside the
amounts credited to Messrs Bliss and Ker,
Mr.. Brewster received $50, 900, Mr. Merrick
S37, 800, Mr.. Cook about $1,000, and Gibson
$4,000
William A. Cook, special counsel, was on
the stand Tuesday. Mr. Cook said he had an
interview with Garfield the Wednesday be-
fore he was shot and the President said II
want most thorough and impartial investi-
CATION Of the facts and wherever it conducts
0
sons" Mr.. Cook said he cautioned the Pres.
ident to take care of himself, for intense feel
ing had been aroused, and violence might re-
suit. In reply to the question, did you be-
lieye that Guiteau had associates 2" Mr. Cook
said The inference drew originally was
that the shooting OF the President was not
the result of the individual action of Guiteau,
and have never become fully satisfied that
the inference WAS incorrect. could not con-
ceive it possible that he had been around
Washington for a considerable time without
forming acquaintance. In addition the act
was so bold and daring and at the same time
so cowardly that it seemed he would not have
attempted it without accomplices. person
came to me saying that Guiteau, accompan-
led by two or three persons was in his estab-
lishment seeking pistol. had an affidavit
to that effect. The party was a secondhand
clothing dealer and also dealt in pistols. /
do not know his real name, but will get it for
the committee The party did not know the
persons accompanying Guiteau, but describ-
ed them. They seemed to be unknown per-
sons to him and he was well acquainted in
the city. l had q consultation with Mr.. Cork.
hill, the district attorney, concerning an in
vestigation that might lead to the discovery
of others associated with Guiteau. Immedi-
ately after the assassin was incarcerated he
was taken in charge by the district attorney
and others and very few were allowed inter
views with him." Mr.. Cooks suggestion in
regard to ferreting out these accomplices was
never followed up. He believed the star
route prosecutions failed because a compli-
Gated case was taken instead of a simple one.
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