St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-06
STAR ROUTE LIGHT.
EX-POstmaster General James
Connection With It's Pros
ecutiOn.
President Garfield Determined to
Clear Out the Nest of
Robbers.
The First Informers Turn Traitors on Find
ing Themselves in the Tolls.
An Honest Endeavor to Ferret Out the
Guilty Thieves.

WASHINGTON, March 5.-Ex-Postmaster
General James and Attorney General Mac
Weigh, were examined to-day by the Springer
committee relative to the expenditures by
the department of justice in the prosecution
of the star route cases. James said, his at
tention was first specially called to the star
route matters by ex-United States Senator
Geo. Spencer, Alabama, and other well in
formed gentlemen. It was then he believed
that millions of dollars had been wasted in
unnecessary star service, much of which had
never been performed, and procured by an
improper measure. 1t was maintained that
an honest, thorough investigation, would
render practicable retrenchments, without
detriment to the service, which would not
only make the postofiice department self sus-
tanning, but would yield respectable revenue
to the treasury. Continuing James said: That
| entertained such views was more or less
known. The publicity given them added to
the fact that while postmaster at New York,
when asked by Stephen W. Dorsey to certify
in nv official capacity, to the large number
of papers connected with the contract office
of the postoffice department. | refused to do
so, WHICH HAY dCCOuHG III Tic DllLCI OJpOSl-
ton to nv appointment to a cabinet position,
which developed in certain quarters.
I went to Washington the night of the I'd
of March, 1881, which 1 understood, to re-
present Garfield's desire On the third l
called on him in company with Reid. The
latter said in substance, addressing Gen.
Garfield that he had asked Tine to come on,
as Che, Gen. Garfield, had desired, and
oil in rafnr To
some suggestion of my name for postmaster
general and that had said if the treasury
department was likely to come to New
York, did not want to be in the way, and
that he (Reid) had assured me that it was
now settled. General Garfield addressing
me, said, that is absolutely settled, the
treasury department cannot go to New
York. Reid, continuing, said he told me
General Garfield expected to get on satisfac-
torilv and without friction with both factions
in New York, and hoped that my appoint
ment, if made, would help to that end, but
wished to know whether, in the case that
controversies should be forced upon
him, he could be sure II L
were made postmaster general, that myra-
tional utilization in New York would not in
terfere with my hearty support of his admin
istration.
Gen. Garfield said: g Yes, that is about it,
and then replied that such contingency in
my judgment, will not arise, but if it should,
and I accept your nomination, l must, as a
gentleman, either be loyal to the president or
resign.
General Garfield: "That is satisfactory"
and the conversation then turned to work OF
the postoffice department. Gen. Garfield
said he was afraid there was something very
wrong in the department itself, though, If SO
he expected me to find it out, and then pillow
in to the beam, and after that subsoil it.
Dorsey was not present ct this interview, nor
did James see him; neither did he call on or
meet Senator Conkling or Vice President
Arthur. On the 9th of March James having
meantime been appointed postmaster gener-
al, the president sent for him, and brought
up the subject Of the star route service. He
said, he was satisfied there had been Wilfull
waste of the public money and gross corrup-
ton. That while he did not wish to have the
mail facilities necessary to the welfare of any
community curtailed, all unnecessary and
extravaganza service much be relentlessly cut
off That he proposed an investigation must
be aimed at the system and not at the men,
but that, if the inquiry should disclose the
fact that any person or persons had been
guilty Of corruption or fraud, that the person
or persons must be handed over to the de-
partment of justice. He gave instructions
to pursue this investigation until there were
no more facts to ascertain.
The witness said A. NJ. Gibson, formerly
connected with the New York San as its
Washington correspondent, placed in his
hands evidence of the greatest Importance,
and made valuable suggestions upon star
route matters, and the methods, with all
sources of information at his command, were
made available, and investigation pushed in
every way. The state of affairs thus revealed
was truly appalling. In the early part OF
April, fortified with facts and figure, labor
ously and carefully collected, Woodward and
myself called on the president and exhibited
a comparative statement of the most cor
ruptly-manipulated routes. He displayed
great surprise, and wished to know OF the
figures had been verified by the records. He
also added, he had been providentially saved
from falling into the trap which
had evidently been set for him,
and seemed to be contemplating some peril
which he had escaped. He asked whether
the papers had been shown to the attorney
general. l replied no, when he requested
me to call with that official, and Mr.. Wood
ward the next day. In conformity with his
request, We called next afternoon, and
lengthy consultation ensued. In answer &c
my suggestion, as to whether it would not DC
wise to institute civil suits for the recovery OF
| the money obtained through dishonest con-
tracts, rather than commence criminal pro-
ceedings against the implicated parties. He
said E'no.'' zone moment, Mr.. president, u
said the attorney general, consider whether
or not the postmaster general Is moi
| right before final decision
Remember that these proceedings may
strike men in high places, that they may re
suit in changing the Republican majority IL
the United States senate into Democratic
majority, that they may affect persons who
| claim that you are under personal obhgaron:
to them for services rendered during the las
campaign, and one person in particular. who
asserts that without his management, you
could not be elected. Look these facts
squarely in the face before taking fina
stand, for neither the postmaster general, no
myself will know friend or foe in this matter
The president walked across the room, re
Elected a moment, and said, ''no l have sworI
to execute the, law. Go ahead, regardless:
of where or whom you hit.
direct you both 'Enot only to probe this ulcel
to the bottom, but to cut it out" Thi'
closed the conversation. Shortly after the
conference above ex-senator Dorsey called
on me at Washington, and in presence O.
Mr. Woodward denounced Brady bitterly
and urged that he be removed. The witness
incidentally remarked that in his opinion tht
publication of the reports sent to congress BY
Postmaster General Gresham would be detri
mental to the public interests. The prepa
rations made for the investigation of the
Star routes were described by the witnes:
at length, the removal of Brady
etc. every soon,' said James, dorsey be
gan to actively en- gage in his efforts to shield
himself to bring the investigation to naught
to disturb the relations of the president witt
his cabinet, and to convince the country tina
| nersecution was the primary motive OF the