The times., 1901-04-07

evidence with the enquiry, isn't that
so, Mr. Gett oe furnished considera BILE
amusement in an otherwise painful af-
fair.
The so-caned Star Route cases were,
in many respects, the most remarkable
that have occurred in the history of the
country. There was in fact, but one case,
except that there were a number Of de-
PENDANTS, the charges against whom were
several and distinct IN character, inVolv-
ing the consideration of different facts
and calling for different verdicts, but
they all proceeded at one time and were
submitted to and decided by one jury.
George Bliss, esq, IN his opening ad-
dress to the jury, speaking of the impor-
tance of the case, used the following Ian
guage:
the fraudulent action of the defendants,
more than $500, 600 has been fraudulently
taken from the Treasury of the United
States without any adequate return be-
ing made for it, and without any neces-
sity for its being so taken on public
grounds. 1t (the case) is important, too,
from the former position of the parties
involved. One of the parties was former
of the United States. and as such. was
by virtue of his office charged with the
reputation and the management and the
control of the entire mail service of the
United States so far as IL relates to the
transportation of the mails, and having
under his care practically the disburse-
ment of, | think, about sl6,000,000 year.
Another of the defendants is an ex-United
States Senator from the State of Arkan-
sas.
In explaining the meaning of the term
star route" Mr.. Bliss said
Section 59i9 of the Revised Statutes
provides that all contracts for carrying
the mail shall be in the name of the
United States and shall be awarded to
the lowest bidder rendering sufficient
guaranty for faithful performances, with
out other reference to the mode of trans
portation than may be necessary to pro-
vide for the due celerity, certainty, and
security thereof.
And here let me say, gentlemen, you
hear a great deal of star route prose-
cution and of star routes. Il is in this
section, which is q re-enactment of an
has its origin. The phrase as used was
celerity, certainty, and security This
statute made a change from a practice
Which prevailed before, authorizing re-
gard to be had to the conveyances in
which the mails were to be transported
etc, and it declared that the only element
was celerity, certainty. and security, and
on the postoffice records, when they came
to designate the routes under the statute
they put three stars against them instead
OF writing out the orders, as represent
ing the words celerity, certainty. and Sc
curity. That is the origin of the phrase
star routes, as | understand it,
In these cases the defendants were
John W; Dorsey, John r. Miner, John NJ.
Vale, Montfort c. Reredell. Thomas j.
Brady, and William II. Turner The
first proceeding in the case was by in
formation which was quashed by the
court. Indictments were then found
against the several defendants for con-
spiracy to defraud the Government in Ger
tain mail contracts. The United States
was represented by George b. Corkhill,
United States Attorney for the District
of Columbia, who had associated with
him George Bliss of New York, r. T.
Merrick and w. w. Ker. The defence
had for their counsel Messrs Shellaba
ger q Wilson, JEFF Chandler. Enoch Tot
ten, "A. b. Williams, Robert G.. Ingersoll,
Judge Carpenter. c. c. Cole Mr. wilt
shire, John McSweeney, L. @. Hine S. S.
1enkle. and Walter u. Davidge. The
first trial commenced June l. 1852, Mr.. Jus
tice Wylie presiding, and terminated Sep
tember H. 1852. The jury by their verdict
found NJ. C. Reredell and John r. Miner
guilty, John III. Peck and William II. Tur-
ner.not guilty guilty, and as to j. w and
5. w. Dorsey, Harvey NJ. Vale, and
Thomas j. Brady. they could not agree
The case was tried again before the
same justice, commencing December Z,
1882, the same counsel appearing, with one
or two exceptions. and a verdict was rem
dered June II, 1888. by which all the de-
PENDANTS were acquitted.