Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-03-11

that speak on that subject with the feelings and
sypathies OF one side. In the early part OF the in
Nestlgatlon There were parties who came TO my
Office and said that Guiteau had been seen I'm some
establishments seeking pistol. and that he had
been accompanied by TWO or three persons l had
an affidavit made to that effect.
'Whl was the name OF the person who made the
al1ldaVit: asked member OF the committee.
"Ihe name of the man." said Mr. Cook, ''has
passed from my mind. He was n secondhand
cl0thler On 9th street: dealer I'm weapons and piS-
tolS. He said a man called Guteau, in company
With two or three Others, visited his store.r'
"Dld he name the others?n asked one OF the COM
mitteemen.
mo, SIR said Mr. Cook
"liave you any reason to believe that they were
persons
CONNECTED IN ANY WAY WITH THE STAR ROUTE DE-
FENDANTS?"
81 have no knowledge OF them whatever" said
Mr. Cook
"What became OF the affidavte"
"My recollection" answered Mr.. Cook, "is that
handed It over to the district attorney"
"Cor&hill?"
"YeS, Sir'
"Did the description given by this dealer lead
you to believe that these persons were connected
with the star route defendantSe"
NO, sir" said Mr.. Cook, she was well acquainted
IN the city, but there seemed TO have been persons
unknown to him.
'Dd you," asked Mr.. Springer shave any con-
sultatlon with Corkhi as to the method OF the in
NeStigatOn?n
81 did" said Mr. Cook
"D1d you suggest to him that it might be devel-
oped that the star route defendants were inter-
eSted?"
IL may not" said Mr. Cook shave used the term
star reuters as we called them. but suggested to
nun strongly that the investigation might draw out
the TACT that others were associated with tuteau
"Do you THINK" asked Mr. Springer, THAT that
course OF inquiry was ever pursued?'
81 do not Think said the witness. "that 1t was
ever pursued. Immediately after Guiteau was in
carcerated he was taken charge OF by the district
attorney and the local authorities and one (or
perhaps only few was allowed any Interview
ffsl. .-Fot
WAS there" asked Mr.. Miiiiken. "any purpose
declared by the parties who took charge OF Guiteau
'Nothing." said Mr Cook. sbeyond this: that
they We're satisfied that the assassination was his
individual act.'
and you We're OF the contrary opinion:"
VI was OF the contrary opinion" said Nr Cook.
Ibid you arrive at that opinion asked Mr..
Springer from facts you had learned from inter
views with persons interested in the defense OF the
star route cases-that is, before you entered into
the employ or the governments"
"Directly after l entered the employ OF the gov
ernment." said Mr.. Cook, In reply, Il formed the
Idea that there was q
GREAT BITTERNESS AND RECKLEssNEss OF FEELING
On the part OF those interested in these cases.
was impressed with the Idea that this feeling
might be carried into corresponding performance =
Was that bitterness against the PTesident?'
asked MIR. Milliken.
''It included him." said Mr.. Cook.
"Did you, asked Mr. Springer. ''get any 1nforma-
ton Or hints from the star route defendants that
led you to the conclusion that perhaps the assassi
nation had some connection with these cases."
mo sir" said Mr Cook, "because they ceased to
converse with me when they failed TO secure my
employment by them"
Mr.. Cook stated that h arrangement with At
torney General MacVeagh his compensation in the
star route cases was to be fixed at the terini-
nation or the suit. He gave an account OF his
movements IN the case, expressing an opinion that
it would have been more desirable to have taken
up the cases OF Salisbury, Parker Roots and
kearnS, and a number OF others, instead OF those
that We're laid before the grand jury. No attempt,
hn huIh
against any parties but those called the Dorsey
combination. despite his (Mr. Cooks advice that
other cases should be prosecuted.
IN REFERENCE TO Mr.. CoRKHILL,
Mr.. Cook said 1t had been stated, directly ind-
rectly, that Corkhi did not have the confidence Of
the Department OF Justice, and it was an impress
sion that he more less under the influence of
persons connected with the star route defense.
Therefore he [N1r. Cook had no consultation with
him. This diStruSt of COrkhill existed In his mind
from his first connection with the star route
until he ceased his connection. The Garfield ad-
ministraton had no confidence in Corkhill, and Mr..
the removal Of COrkhill.
Mr.. Cook said. in explanation OF the information
proceedings, that upon returning from a consnta-
ton at Elberon he was surprised to learn that the
grand jury had been adjourned. precluding the pos
sbty OF proceeding by Indictment at that time.
"WhO had the grand jury adjourned" ?" asked Mr..
Springer.
"The district attorney, Corkh," said Mr.. Cook,
.and an adjournment so sudden and for SO long a
"What did you find was the reason for that sud-
den adjOurnment?' asked Mr.. Springer.
81 have never been able to ascertain" said Mr..
Cook, "any reason for the adjournment, unless 1t
lay In the fact that by that adjournment 1t was
supposed the statute of limitations would operate
against number OF the cases that had been made
up against Star route contractors"
Mir. Cook further stated that the district attorney
had taken this action without consultation with
him COOK Or his colleagues, or informing them.
:" He claims, believe said Mr. Cook, "that he had
spoken to the Attorney General on the subject and
In relation to that there seems to be difference OF
opinion between the Attorney General and Mr..
Corkhil' Mr.. Cook said he was never allowed to
go before the grand jury, as the district attorney
claimed that right exclusively. and Mr. Bliss at
that time Sustained him. He said he had secured
and prepared indictments against Lilly and BrOdt
on evidence which he was sure would lead to con-
victiOn.
''Do you feel certain" asked Mt. Milliken, "that
you could have got d conviction before Washing
ton jury?''
that
COULD HAVE SECURED SEVERAL CONVICTIONS"
"A great many people, said Mr.. Milliken, "be-
leved that a conviction would have been obtained
in the case that was tried if there had been an
honest jury?"
"My opinion" sal! Mr. Cook, 's that the d1fri-
Guilty not In the character OF the Jury but the
mode In which the cases were prepared for trial
and tried. There We're as honorable men on those
two urieS as the District or the nation afford"
SIT takes twelve honorable men to make a Ver-
Diet said Mr.. Milliken.
II nave E2u large experience WIN JurlPS or tn1S
District" continued Mr. Cook, land they compare
favOrably with jurlcS in other localities They are
not. ordinarily. bad men. Now, when that utleS-
tiOn was recently presented in the proceedings
against ex-senator Spencer, Judge Wylie took Oc-
caSiOn to say that though ne had had large expert
ence with jurieS he had never seen better class OF
men, take them in the aggregate than the District
juieS, and this story affecting their character was
base SANDER. He did hot think they were made
up OF bad men"
Mr.. Milliken asked the witness to name the
HONORABLE MEN ON THE JURIES
s'Thcre sits one Of them," said Mr.. Cook turning
around and pointing to Mr.. VIM. Dickson, who had
a few minutes before entered the room "That
man was the foreman OF the jury. Mr.. William
Dickson. l have been acquainted with him and
honor him. He has been antagonistic to me In
more honorable, upright gentleman nevermet."
Mr.. Milliken here checked the witness. saving he
had not asked for an argument, but the names OF
the honorable men on the jury.
''Mf. Crane, said Mr.. Cook. "the foreman of the
other jury. He is a representative republican"
"Name others, said MI. Milliken
~ cannot give you the names Of all the Others,
now" said Mr.. Cook 81 can hereafter give you q
list OF them by refreshing my recollection"
Describing the star route cases the witness said
they embraced the DOrseyS, Miner and other defend
ants, naming them, and embraced different routes
and 1t was impossible to present one clear diStinc-
tive case to the jury.
WEAK CASE SELECTED.
The case selected was not strong one. Mr.. Glib
son had prepared a thorough analysis OF the case
selected for trial which Gibson took to Eberon and
1t was read in presence OF Mr. Macveagh Bliss and
Bliss turning to witness said, sWhy, that case is
weaker than supposed don't believe there can
be a conviction upon it." Subsequently Bliss made
the same declaration to witness and Gibson, but