Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-03-28


Taking Dispositions in the Case Of the GOV
ernment Against chichester aud Rootn.
| Special 10 the Gazette.
WEATnEBFoRD, TEX, March 27.--In
July, 1873, one OF the largest United
States mail contracts that was run IN
this county was taken from the govern
ment by John T. Chichester and Logan II
Roots OF Arkansas The route was from
Fort Worth TO Fort Yuma, A. Il, the dis.
! lance was 1928 miles, and was let TO
Chichester on a seyenteer-duy schedule
for Sl35, 900 per anDnm, but afterwards
was expedited to q thirtecn-daY schedule
for S29p, 900, but under the law regulat-
| ing expeditions for services, pay Is based
upon extra horses and men required 10
carry on such expedited services. II
this had been adhered 10 the
mail pay would have been sa82, 900
per annum. But the postmaster-genoral
would give only the S299, 900, as the con.
tract was awarded at that price. The
services were performed and paid for at
the last named basis. The theory OF the
government now ~, that the government
has the right 10 show that the number Of
animals aud men employed IN carrying
the mail was not as great as represented
by the contractors, and that the govern
ment has right TO recover from the con
tractor q sum OF money rs the animals
and men not actually used would be pro
rata 10 the whole amount paid.
The theory OF the defense Is that the
contract was not made upon the repre-
seniaton made by the contractors, but
upon information acquired by the post
master.general himself In his own way
from dislntercsted PARTIES and IN point
OF fact, more animals ard men were
necessarily required aud used IN carry
| ing out this contract than the number
stated by the contractors. The govern
ment is represented by y. J.. Williams,
| special United States attorney who II
/ here taking dispositions 20 show It's side
OF the case. The defendants are repre-.
scented by Judge John Mcclure Of Little
| Rock, Ark They commenced taking tes-
timony at Fort Worth yesterday and are
| here Today, and will leave on the west
/ bound train tonight for Abilcac aud
| other points Va the West, until San Fran
cisco, Gala, Is reached, stopping at nine
teen other pisces on the road, Theamount
the government sues for n $l7i,900.
/ Several suits Of similar mature have al
ready been tried in Kansas and Colorado
aud thn government has failed 70 recover
Single one. This Information whs
/ kindly furnished JHg GAzgTTE core
spondent BY Judge Mcclure, who Il ono
Of the ablest men ia his profession That
the south can boast Of He II very
sanguIne as to victory In the above case,
This IS one Of thol star routc mail lines,
I however, not expedited by stephen W.
Dorsey Of star route fame. This case
when tried, VIII doubtless furnish some
very interesting reading, o. u involves
such a large amount, and SO much inter
al Is being taken in getting uptcstimony,
and It beng one Of the longest star routes
known, and having laid apparently unno-
tlced 50 long aud At last picked up. Your
correspondent wonders II Il Isn't Grover
who Is causing all this stir OF late, II
seems that be Is unearthlng crookednesl
Of every style. The result Of the trial Of
the above case will certainly be interest
ing. Several dcpoaItlobs were taken here
yesterday by both attorneys