The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-27
THE STAR ROUTES AGAIN.
Revelations Concerning the Relations of the
Prosecuting Lawyers.


Prosecuting Lawyers.
WASHINGTON, May 26.-W. W. Ker, one of
the counsel for the prosecution in the star
route cases, was examined by Mr.. Springer's
committee to day in reference to the quashing
of two indictments because the defendants were
indicted by their initials. Mr. Ker said he
wanted full names, but Geo. Bliss told him it
was impossible to get them. There were also
indictments for perjury against one G. H. Dick
son, who is now holding a confidential position
in the Department of the Interior. He swore
falsely as to the value of property. The indct
ments are still standing, The Attorney general
wanted Mr.. Ker to examine the witnesses pri
vately and prepare brief for Bliss but Bliss told
Ker to never mind that he would look after them.
So Mr. Ker had nothing to do with the witnesses
When Walsh and Moore were spoken of as wit
nesses, Bliss discredited them and said they
were not worth having anything to do with
Merrick, who had previously been appointed one
of the counsel afterwards found out that both
men were valuable witnesses, and was very
angry that neither had been subp9naed About
the middle of the first trial." continued the wit
ness, 'other counsel and myself were at the
Postofice Department. was waiting in side
room for Merrick. He came, and as we walked
towards the door he said in an excited manner:
What do you suppose Bliss wantsl He wants us
to let Dorsey 60 suggested that he mighl have
thrown that out as an expedient. Oh, he re-
piled, he wants to let Dorsey go. He also want
ed me to go to the Attorney general and say
three lawyers were too many in the case, and to
advise The Attorney general to dismiss you, and
let himself and me remain I told him to go
and tell the Attorney general was, anxious to
get out of the cases. Merrick replied that he
would go out if 1 left he said he wanted me to
stay and help him watch Bliss. The Attorney
general was not told of this interview until l
told him myself. When / did tell him he got
up walked the floor and accused me of derelic-
ton"
"In closing the first trial. the Attorney general
made the argument. There had been q desper-
ate effort to save Dorsey by showing that he was
not in as deep as the rest The Attorney gen
eral showed that Dorseys name appeared ninety
six times in the cases. At the beginning of the
second trial | was told to take charge of the wit
nesses and examine them before they appeared
on the stand and Mr.. Bliss acquiesced. / took
them and found that Bliss, on the first trial, had
not brought out half they knew. Then we had
new witnesses. The testimony all was strong
against Dorsey and there was no doubt of con
viction.h
'lts strength does not appear in: the result, "
interposed Mr.. Stewart.
Il had nothing to do with the result. The
first jury would have convicted if it had not been
for the foreman. On the second Jury there were
men who could not read or write. In the first
trial we had seventy-seven witnesses, 2,300 pa
pers, and 3, 2S6 pages of printed testimony; in
the second trial we had $50 witnesses, 2, 761 pa
pers, and 4, 481 pages of testimony"
mo wonder the jury did not convict, said Mr..
Stewart.
There was no disagreement among counsel
in the second trial Bliss made up his mind to
go for Dorsey, and he did go for him as vigor-
ously and viciously as any of U.S."