The Portland daily press., 1885-04-28
DICKsoN'S CASE.
Conclusion of the Trial for Attempted
Corruption OF the Star Route Jury
Verdict of MOI Guilty.

WASHINGTON, April 27.-Ex-Attorney Gene
raj Brewster was called TO the stand this morn
ing in the trial of William Dickson, charged
with attempted corruption Of the Star Route
jury, of which he was foreman.
Gen. Brewster testified that early in the
Star route trial the witness Kennedy came
and told him that Dickson wanted to take
ride with him (Kennedy) and to talk about
the Star Route trials, and about what was CO.
ing on in the jury room. He (Brewster) was
indignant and told Kennedy not to dare to
talk with the jurymen, as it would be an
outrage upon the government. Witness pro-
ceeding said that he told Kennedy emphati-
eally that he had no right to talk with Dick
son, and it would be criminal in him, and ne
(Brewster) would report it to the court. Wit
ness knew ex-Marshal Henry only as a
marshal of the court whom he remembered
at an interview with him about the selection of
talismen.
State whether or net you told Mr.. Henry
that the country would hold him responsible
II the defendants were not convicted?
Never word; it would be an insult to.
Mr.. Smith entered vigorous objection.
This witness was not brought here to make an
argument.
lively colloquy ensued between the coun-
sci, court and witness The former maintain
ed that tins witness was brought here not to
give testimony, but to make an argument be-
fore the jury. The proceeding was extra aordi-
nary and it was an outrage upon the de-
fendant.
Brewster-I am not to be treated here in this
way. was not brought here to be insuted.
Mr.. Smith said in the course Of his sub
sequent remarks that he expected the bitter
ness which had been brought out during the
progress of the trial, in his opinion, by the
dense stupidity of the gentlemen who repre-.
sented the government.
The district attorney asked if the court
would permit this kind of language to be used,
and the court then said that he must request
the counsel to be respectful to each other
Smith said the whole inquiry was irrele-
want. They were seeking to bring in this wit
ness who had the deepest possible interest in
the case because they had brought down in
his humble Judgment reflections of a most
serious character upon the witness now on the
stand. This witness was here full of malice to-
wards Dickson.
Brewster-Will yon allow that, sir. pro-
test as member of the bar. L am not to be
told that come here with malice. / am un-
der oath.
Smith, am submitting my remarks to the
court.
Court-I think you are entirely wrong. 1t
is unnecessary for you to make any personal
reflections.
Smith to witness Mr.. Brewster, you have
stated here that you became very angry, that
you were very indignant, that you were very
much outraged. will ask you sir, if you did
not know that at the time Of the first Star
Route trial you didn't have in the employ of
Vi INC department OF JuSGlCo oz men emplOy ou
as detectives, spies and informers upon that
jury2
The question was ruled out.
Smith then produced copy of local news
paper containing an interview between the
witness and Marshal Henry, and reading from
1t asked If he told the marshal "if this trial
miscarried the censure falls upon you, and
you will nsver escape. it as long as you live?"
Brewster L never did say that l
called upon him as an accused man. told
him if it tHrned out that these talismen were
put there by him designedly why then he
| (Brewster) would see him punished and he
| (Henry) would never escape the consequence.
This concluded the evidence and arguments
were begun.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Wells argument
Mr.. Smith announced that the defence had
| concluded TO submit the case without argu-
meme. Judge Macarthur then charged the
jury. He said the material matter to be in
quired into was whether the defendant made
an attempt to curfupt the iHry. The jury
then retired and after an absence of half an
hour returned verdict of not guilty.
Dickson this afternoon entered suit against
ex-Attorney General Brewster for libel laying
damages at $4,000, in having to a newspaper
reporter used the following language of and
concerning him: Dickson sold that trial.
Bowen was bad man too, nearly as bad as
Dickson and that is saying great deal"