The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1884-03-15
epENCER on TnE sTANp.


A089e St8h -
Ex-senator George e. Spencer was
examined before q Committee OF The
House . few days ago, concerning
the Star route Investigation. He said:
Early in January, 1884," AZ went
from Nevada 10 New York on
business. One day, while walking
on Broadway, l met James aud he
asked me to accompany him to his
office. When at the Office he told me
he wanted to go into Garfield's Cabi-
net. and asked me TO aid him. After
wards l did render him what aid l
could. When he had been appointed
Postmaster General, | said to him he
had an opportunity few men bad in
life TO make q great reputation. he
asked how. / replied that be could
make the Postotfice Department self
sustaining the first year. and on the
next year could reduce the postage to
two cents. "How?' he again asked.
BY breaking up the Star route ring
l replied. / took a pledge from him
that what l said should be strictly
confidential. Several men connected
with the ring lived in the West and
were almost neighbors OF mine, andl
desired that my name should not go
before the public IS an informer.
Afterwards l went 10 General Garfield.
He ave ME the same assurance that
my Information should be secret. 1t
was at my suggestion then that Wood
ward was selected to take general
charge of the Investigation. One day,
while in the Postoffice Department,
Tyner insisted that Woodward should
not be appointed. l then said l
thought Woodward was the best man
TO take hold of the matter. Hc was
then appointed anu was given general
directions for making the entire
investigation, In the Winter OF 1881
| remained N New York and used to
meet A. NJ. Gibson. He told int
what he knew. and afterwards showed
me a table of tho ninety-three routes
he had prepared. We met in Wash
jngton aud together went to Wool
wards room, where he was made nc
quainted with Gibson's information.
| remained i'll Washington about three
months, most of the time getting up
evidence for the Star-route cases. !
re mained in Warrington until Gar
field was shot. l made up my mind
that beyond saving the government
81, ZOO. 900 or $4,000. 900 a year the
investnont was a failure. | received
no pay for what I was doing. | paid
little attention TO the subjrct, and III
the latter part of 1882 l went to Ne
vada, and remained until June.
Spencer then gave All account OF his
return to New York, his being sub
penoed to appear i'll Washington, of
his coming here and remaining Two
weeks, of his efforts alone and viii
Secretary Chandler to secure an int
view with Geofg- Bliss. WI lie sitting
IN one OF the hotels with Secretary
Chandler, Bliss came to the latter one
day. ssThey went out and talked two
or three hours, / interrupted them
| several times but Bliss said he did
| not want me. He told Secretary
Chandler he desired not to see me un
til | went on the stand, and i'll did
| not swear to what he ex pected be
would have me cross examined. !
remained here until the court adj.
journed, when l went to New York,
| and showed Senator ConkliDg my
subpoena. He SAID it was not in legal
form, and advised az o go and attend
to my business. asked il my stay
ing in Washington had not waived
my rights 10 leave. He said NO
and | followed his advice"