The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-24
Capt. Charles E. Henry Tells What He Knows
of the Efforts of Cameron in Behalf
of Attorney General Brewster,
An Alleged Attempt to Secure a Jury
Favorable to the Government.
Thomas +. Ryan Appointed to $4,000 Place
in Alaska-Mr. Hendricks Still at Work
Hunting Offices for Friends.
SCANDALS RECALLED.
Charles e. Henry's Testimony in the Trial
of Foreman Dickson.

bribery trial, to-day, the defendant William
Dickson, who was foreman of the first jury, was
examined. In the course of his examination he
was asked to state why he charged that Attor-
ney general Brewster engaged in a conspiracy
against him, and in replying to this inquiry
said certain persons, whom he named
among them James r. Young, who was
at the time chief clerk of the Department of
Justice, told him that Bowen zone of the persons
alleged to have approached Dickson with an Of
fer of bribe) was a scoundrel and confidence
man, and that Young had said he was surprised
that Bowen had been appointed to position in
the Department of Justice; that he (Young)
told Brewster that Bowen was not reliable,
not to be believed, and that he would
rather take Dickson's word ten times over than
Bowens oath. The witness said it was the
action of the Attorney general, after learning
the character of the man Bowen that convinced
him (the witnessl that the Attorney general was
party to the conspiracy.
Pending some discussion between counsel as
to the relevancy of this testimony Judge Mac
Arthur interposed objection to the bringing of
foreign matter into this case. He said this is
the last of series of what may be termed
state trials which have been attended with
widespread interest. 1t was natural, he said,
that counsel should become somewhat embit-
tered, and that there should be feeling among
different parties that injustice had been done
them, but the present case, he thought could be
tried without bringing in these matters. He
said a charge of Infamous conduct had
been made against the former Attorney
general, a man who had hitherto borne
a spotless reputation, and that it is a somewhat
serious matter to drag into the case such
charge collaterally, whore it is impossible to try
it, and impossible for the officer accused to be
heard. He added that the court would here
after endeavor to exclude such matters.
Captain Charles e. Henry, who was marshal
of the District of Columbia during the first star
route trial, was then called to the stand. He
testified that Brewster Cameron came to
jury was impaneled in the first trial,
and said to him that the Attorney general was
very anxious about the jury; that the regular
panel would probably be exhausted by challenges;
that the position of the Attorney general in
pubic life depended upon a conviction of the de-
fendants as he had taken the Office on account
of this case; and that he (the Attorney gencral)
wanted jury that would be satisfactory to the
government The witness added that Cameron
had in his hand a slip of paper with four
or FIVE names on it, and suggest
to the witness that they would make good tales
men. The witness said he reminded Cameron
of the impropriety of the Department of Justice
taking part in the selection of talesmen, and
- -
witness said that Cameron applied an approbrious
epithet--should not escape; that the Attorney
general would rather pay $25 900 out of his own
pocket than have them escape, and that
he wanted the jury, if it did not convict, to
disagree about this period of the conversa-
tion," said Henry, II became a little excited,
little indignant, and refused fatty
to have anything to do with it. 1t would de-
pend, told him. upon the evidence, and would
summon good men; good and reputable citi-
zens" He reminded Cameron that verdict of
guilty obtained under such circumstances would
be worthless Continuing, he said Cameron ten
dered him list of names but that he declined
to take it, and in seleeting talesmen he did not
select any of those whose names were brought to
him by Cameron. He said. also that Cameron,
when he proposed to him to take tasmen whose
names he brought, said the old man. mean
ing Attorney general Brewster, would protect
him if he would help him through the trial.
On cross examination by counsel for the gov
ernment, the witness admitted that he had not
reported this conversation to the court at the
time of its occurrence, but said ne wrote letter
to Senator Kellogg detailing the facts, and that
he also asked Springer when his committee was
in session, for an opportunity to be heard as a
witness during the investigation of the Depart
ment of Justice. Continuing his explanation he
said: Here was great department. of the gov
crnment on one side, while / was single handed
and alone. / waited patiently until I could
appear before the proper body and under oath.
Springers reply to my request to be heard was,
we will come to that by and by but they never
came to it."
Witness said his letter to Kellogg was short
and contained a statement that the Attorney
general was intoxicated at an interview which
the witness had with him.
Here the witness was checked by the court
He said he had briefly stated in the letter that
the general agent of the department had made
the proposition described.
Percival A. Kennedy, or Philadelphia, the
next witness, testified that he was employed
about the court during the star-route trials. He
said he was asked by Cameron to interview
Dickson as to his views and to find out what
Dickson's opinions were. He said he thought
about it, and went to the Attorney general and
told him what Brewster Cameron had asked
him to do, and that the Attorney general en-
phatically forbade him doing anything
of the kind. He said that subsequently,
he made two statements which were taken
down by stenographers-o to the Attorney
general, setting forth that he had forbidden, and
one in the presence of Of Brewster Cameron, de-
nying what he testified to to-day. He was
asked by counsel why he made the denial for
Cameron, and replied that he thought II he
didn't do it he would lose his position.
George Driver testified that Bowen. Hoover and
Satterwhite took their meals at his place during
the first starroute trial. Brewster Cames
ron came there occasionally. and dineu
n Il &aoft HnWQn
meeting with Dickson in his place on the night}
Of AUGUST o. He said Bowen came to the table