The Washington times., 1903-07-13
FAMOUS STAR ROUTE
SCANDALS RECALLED
Recent PoStofflce Disclosures Bring to Mind Big
Steal of Twenty Years Ago.

The recent scandals in the Postoffice
Department recall the notorious star
route cases Of some twenty years ago.
In the course of the Hayes Administra-
uon there were allegations of frauds and
irregularities in the conduct of the mail
service on the star routes-or lines on
which the mails could not be carried by
railroad or steamboat-and there were
several Congressional Investigations Of
the subject
1t was charged that ring Of con
tractors and politicians, who. through
favor, had secured control of many mail
routes in the South and West. where
there were TO railroad connections, had
engaged in an extensive conspiracy to
defraud the Government, some of whose
officers were their accomplices. After
the contracts for the service had been
let great increase of compensation was
obtained by expediting the time required
for trips over the various routes, and
by increasing the number OF trips far
beyond the needs of the service. There
was also subletting Of contracts, con-
trary to law.
Extent of the Frauds.
In advance Of an outline Of the prose-
cution In the Star Route cases, the ex-
tent of the frauds may be indicated by
some references 10 the testimony before
the Springer committee or the House of
Representatives, which In 1854 made an
Investigation OF the management of the
trials in these cases. This committee
said. IN its report TO the House: The
whole amount out OF which the Govern
ment was defrauded in the Star Route
mail service during the Hayes Admins
tration will exceed $4,000. 900.
The manner OF procuring expedition was
reduced 10 a science.
In March, 1881, lust after he was in
augurated. President Garfield consulted
with his Postmaster General. Thomas L.
James. and directed him TO make an in
vestigation Of the Star Route contracts.
saying he was satisfied that there had
been willful waste OF the public money
and gross corruption. Mr.. James testi-
fed before the Springer committee that
the President urged an investigation OF
the most searching character, regardless
of whom or where IT hit
Prominent Men Accused.
After some abortive preliminary
proceedings in the direction OF prose-
cution by the Government. evidence
in the case Of what was known as the
Dorsey combination was LAID before the
grand jury of the District Of Columbia
in February 1852. under direction of
Benjamin H. Brewster. then Attorney
General Of the United States A con
spicuous figure in the alleged eombina-
tion was Stephen W. Dorsey. ex-senator
from Arkansas, who was secretary OF
the Republican National Committee in
the Presidential campaign OF 1850. and
was believed to have done much toward
securing the election Of Garfield and
Arthur. 1t was charged that he had
directed the course Of the star route
contractors and that the legislation
which they required had been pro-
cured through his influence in the
Senate.
Others accused with him were his
brother. John W. Dorsey, John NJ. Peck.
and John R. Miner. the original bidders
and contractors; Harvey NJ. Vale. TO
whom as subeontractor the routes were
afterward transferred; NJ c. RerdeII.
ex-senator Dorsey's secretary. who was
charged with having been an agent and
manager for the combination in Wash
ington; Second Assistant Postmaster
General Brady. who had official control
Of the Star Route service. and W. II.