Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-07-03
THE ATTORNEY GENERALS TIES.
TIMONY.
He Explains Matters AbOut the Stal
Route Prosecutions,

Mr. BLISS WAR on COOK AND erBsoN-xR BLrss'
ANXIETY TO HAVE DISTRICT ATTORNEY coRKHnL
REMovED-rHR ATTORNEY GENERAL DENIES STATE
AESTS MADE BY Mr. BLiSS-wHY Mr. NERRICE WAS
RAPLoYEp-FAcTs ABoCr THE sTRoBAcH AND OFT
NAN CASES.
Attorney General Brewster was examined before
the Springer committee this morning. He said that
after his appointment as counsel for the govern
ment In the star route cases he went home and
prepared the arguments upon the informations,
and studied up those cases. He made an argument
IN court In opposition to the motion to quash the
information After that he was appointed Attor-
ney General. He believed his fees amounted to
about 5000 for services as special counsel This
was all paid before he became Attorney General
A MI Bilss s. was employed before witness was con-
nected with the Department OF Justice, and he did
not know anything OF Bliss contract, nor the rate
OF his compensation
COOK AND GIBSON
"What was the cause OF the dismissal OF Messrs
Cook and Gibson?" asked Mr.. Springer.
The witness replied: "Mr Bliss asked that they
be dismissed, saying that 1t was not safe to have
Them IN the case. Cook and Gibson came to me,
alSo with their side OF the case complaining that
Bliss treated them very badly. They said that he
displayed want OF confidence in them which not
only reflected discred1t upon them, but seriously
aHected their usefulness, and complained that they
were not allowed access to papers. Mr.. Woodward
Joined Bliss in recommending their dismissal say
Ing they were not safe TO have In the case. Bliss
sau Iat ne believed they were furnishing informa-
tlon 10 The other side, and he had TO change the
comDlnation on the safe they were disclosing the
contents OF papers kept there to the defense"
Witness was diSIncllned 10 dismiss these gentle
men at that time, but Bliss insisted upon il SO
StrenuouSly that witness was about to dismiss
them when he received their designations
BLISS WANTED DISTRICT ATTORNEY CoRKHILL Dis
MISSED.
Witness, continuing, said that Bliss had written
letters to him, probably two three, saying that
he would not act In the cases unless Col Corkhil
dismissed from the district attorneyship. claiming
That Cor khill was associated with the defendants
ana having access TO the jury room, gave them in
formation which would assist them in meeting the
prosecution The Attorney General went to the
president and showed him the letters The Presi-
dent answered, as he always had, that he wanted
the cases vigorously prosecuted and would do all
ne could TO assist. He would follow the Attorney
Generals advice In the matter. II he desired Cork
hlllS dismissal he should be dismissed. Witness
said that he did not desire the dismissal of Cork
hill He had done good service In the Guiteau case,
were still necessary. Besides he deemed it unjust
10 DISMISS him upon general charges under the cir
SENATOR EDMUNDs ADVISES THE EMPLOYMENT OF
AERRICK.
The witness went to see Senator Edmunds, who
agreed with him that it would be a harsh thing to
turn Corkhill out Witness went to see Edmunds
because, as chairman OF the Senate judiciary COM
mittee, he would have voice in the removal. by
having to pass upon the confirmation OF Corkhills
successor. Senator EdmundS suggested that Mr..
Merrich be employed TO assist Bliss, as this would
remove the case from politics. Bliss expressed de-
light at the employment of Merrick.
The witness said that Mr.. Ker was appointed
because OF his experience In drawing indictments,
Tor Corkhill, and told him it was within his (wt-
messy power to remove Lin on the spot.
CoRKHILL PROTESTED
that he had not been fairly treated, and, while ad-
mittng his social relations with the defendants,
declared his only object be discharge his duty
n ha orlylf
fair treatment, and he was willing to submit TO
the Judgment OF the Attorney General that II, at
any time he should appear derelict. he would be
name 10 ~ fhe e aI b usy Uorkn a put ms
surprised when he learned that ker was prosecut-
ing the cases, and that Bliss had put him at that
trouble with Mr.. Bliss about his bill, saying he
Thought Nh. Bliss was very uncivi about the mat
ter Bliss claimed 5000. but finally s4,7oo was al
lowed him. but 1t Is yet unpaid Bliss finally &C
cepted the witness ruling In the matter
THE ACCEPTING OF PRICE As A WITNESS
The witness said that Bliss testimony about the
conference in regard to accepting Price as witness
was correct. He said that Bliss and Merrick got
the case unless his view of the matter was ac-
cepted. Until he read Ker's testimony the wit
ness never knew that Bliss had withdrawn the case
because OF bis witness0 decision to accept Price as
a witness
wALSHS CHARGE THAT SECRETARY CHANDLER WAS
CONSULTED.
The chairman inquired about Walsh's charge
that Secretary Chandler consulted as to prose-
cutting Kellogg, and that Bliss had written some
letter or letters against that prosecution.
The Attorney General furnished the following as
the only letter he received from MI. Bliss on that
point:
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT.,
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 20, 1889.
Ny Dear Str:-As to the matter Which spoke Of
to you this m. as to the using OF Price as wit
ness, why not consult with Secretary Chandler on
the political view OF t? or course, you would not
consult any one on the legal aspect; but the mat
ter may be productive OF great difficulties Merriek
may get ugly II he does not have his own way and
make trouble In the case on trial At the same time
we cannot any OF us allow Price, who is indicted
and guilty, to escape unless he gives us some one
more guilty, and does 1t certainly. Without Walsh
Price Is 81 little or no use to us and Walsh is not
get clear case through Prices assistance against
any one. except, perhaps. Brady. and situated as
get proof against Brady In another case than that
on trial. Price cannot aid us In the one on trial
Merrick has become greatly interested to attack
Kellogg. think politics affect him. He may
claim to have promised Price protection. think In
fact.he has done only condt!onaly. He certainly
mad no legal right to It without consulting you and
TO do 1t without consulting me. Think, in facthe
has not done 1t, but he may be willing to have 1t
OF something he has done than your CON
sent to do the same thing. The matter may come
to shape where you will have to "put your foot
down" but think the wise way is to tempor1ze at
least till this trial is over AT worst 1t may become
to accept anything Merrick has done in
promising Price immunity, but that does not in
volve consent1ng TO prosecutions against others
with Prices assistance, unless your Judgment tells
you that such prosecutions ought to be Instituted
am very anxious about the whole matter.
Yours truly, GEORGE BLISS.
The Attorney General said he was not pleased
with the letter and made no reply 10 it. He was
placed tn difficult position, as he felt 1t would In
jure the case TO let Bliss go out Oft
WALSH GETS POSSESSION OF INFORMATION
The chairman asked II witness talked with Secre-
tary Chandler about the matter Gen. Brewster
replied that he did not; that he could not permit
anybody to talk with him upon the political aspect
o1 any case he had charge OF Attorney General;
look AT the political phase OF matter involving the
dispensing OF Justice Being asked II he had any cor
with Secretary Chandler, the witness
replied that when Walshs letter complaining that
witness wrote to Bliss about It. Bliss in reply
denied all OF Walsh's accusations, but Walsh had
that the Attorney General was party
TO the enOrt to suppress the Kellogg case and that
he had been in consultation with q m mber OF the
Cabinet Bliss reply to the Attorney Generals
delayed, but meantime the witness was advised
that Secretary Chandler was the member OF the
Cabinet referred TO by Walsh, and that Mr. Chand-
Ter wanted the Attorney General TO write him q |
whole thing. Bliss, in his reply denying Walsh's
expressed the opinion that Walsh was
under the influence OF the defense but cautioned
the Attorney General not to let his (BliSSo letter
get out, as 1t would offend Walsh, who was gov. |
ernment witness, and might drive him out Of the |
case The witness did write to Secretary Chandler
and enclosed copy of Bliss letter. In response
Secretary Chandler denied Walshs charge that he |
had made any attempt TO shield Kellogg but Joined
IN Bliss caution to keep the whole correspondence
mn tn fhn Dav~I