Evening star., 1932-09-04

Basely Approached. that that of iatS' eiSht
men accused of corrupt practices in con-
nection with the letting of certain mail
carrying contracts. Just as the trial,
which had lasted for many weeks, was in
its last stage, on the eve of the retire
ment Of the jury to consider its verdict,
Justice Wylie caused a profound sensa-
ton by stating that several members of
the jury had informed him that they
had been approached for the purpose OF
influencing their findings. In The Stars
report of September z, 1882, Justice
Wylie was quotec as saying:
"As this Is time severed from the
regular proceedings of the trial, I will
use it to say something on matter that
has been brought to my attention. Sev-
eral members of this jury have come to
me with information that they have
been approached with propositions most
manifeStly of a corrupt kind. The first
intimation had of the kind was sew
eral weeks ago, and several more-I
can't call them intimations either, they
are square and direct information, given
to me privately for the purpose of ask
ing what they should do-have come to
me since. My advice to these members
OF the jury was to say nothing about 1t.
1AC Souls OAo ilOt tiiCA WuiL W LltcI
rupt the course of the trial and the
argument This thing has grown. and
within the last "a hours it seems these
wolves who are around this jury have
become flercer and more determined. ]
felt such indignation that I felt almost
like advising the member of the jury
who spoke to me to shoot the man on
the spot. Villainy Of this kind, scoun-
drelism of that degree, deserves no
mercy. I don't know in what interest
these suggestions have been made. ]
don't wish to consider that now, but ]
wish to advise the jury to repel with
scorn and Indignation any base attempt
Of this character upon their virtue and
integrity. The insult Is of the very last
intensity and do hope that when we
get through this trial fairly we may
have Information enough to enable the
court to lay its hands upon these men
who have approached you in this way.
I have called attention to this matter
with another view-tO give warning to
men Of that kind. The officers of the
law will do their duty and ferret out
these scoundrels. Give them no quar-
ter. spurn them with the end of your
toes. There are no baser vermin that
infeSt the earth, and the insult to you
base. Just as low as they are No man
would allow a whisper of that kind
without spurning it with the intensest
scorn, If he goes no further. don't ad-
wise violence at any time, but next to
an insult given to a mans wife is an
insult Of this kind to a jurynan. His
honor should be as sacred and a. care
fully guarded as the honor Of his wife.
Having said this as collateral matter,
we will now take recess"
The Star in It's issue of September 3.
1882, thus commented upon this matter:
No Surprise in posure yesterday of
Washington. rnpt rnp deIpr the jpry 10 in oHa the
star route cases created quite a sensa-
ton throughout the city, and through
out the whole country perhaps, as well
as in the court room. This interest
arose. however, from the place, the time
and the manner Of the exposure, rather
than its matter. Really there was no
ground whatever for surprise on the sub
ject, and none was expressed, In WASH
ington at least. The policy and methods
Of the defense have been 80 desperate
anu 50 dppdTcHt iTOni Tic StaTt LQaJ TO
any observing persons efforts to bribe
the jury were but the natural sequence
and logical conclusion of what had gone
before. Although pretending to make
light Of the charges In the beginning.
those implicated well understood their
gravity and the Importance of making a
vigorous defense from the outset. and to
this end no effort was spared, however
great its money cost or however hideous
its moral enormity.
In few cases of the kind prosecuted
for the Government has it had 10 6eht
against heavier cor more unscrlpulous
odds than n TIE present contest. An