Star Route scandal
The Star Route scandal was a political scandal in the United States, stemming from allegations of bribery and bid rigging in the United States Post Office Department which came to light as early as 1872 and which were the focus of public scrutiny following the election of President James A. Garfield. There were no fewer than four federal investigations into bribery in the postal service from 1872 through 1883. The scandal and public reaction to it contributed to the passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act.
Background
On March 3, 1845, the
In the period surrounding the
Political scandal
In 1876, United States Senator
During the ensuing investigation, Dorsey convinced his fellow members of Congress that he had no knowledge of any illegality and had limited ties to the firm. However, when his term in the Senate expired in 1879, Dorsey became increasingly active in the management of Miner Peck.[2]
In 1880, Dorsey was named secretary of the
At an ensuing congressional investigation, Postmaster General James testified, according to Dorsey's personal secretary, Dorsey had "shammed sickness" during the congressional investigation and, during that time, the financial records of Miner Peck had been revised to cover up the fraud.[3]
Investigations
Investigations by Congress into corruption in the Post Office began as early as 1872 during the
In April 1881, President James A. Garfield launched an investigation within the Star Routes corruption. Garfield's investigation revealed among the major players involved were some of the large contractors, the ex-US Representative Bradley Barlow of Vermont, the Second Assistant Postmaster-General, Thomas J. Brady, some of the subordinates in the department, and Arkansas Senator Stephen W. Dorsey, who became Secretary of the Republican National Committee during Garfield's 1880 presidential campaign. After Garfield's assassination, Chester A. Arthur (who assumed the presidency) pursued the investigation. Two federal prosecution trials took place in 1882 and 1883, and the postal ring was finally shut down.[4] Although the fraudulent scheme was widespread, there were few convictions. Many of the defendants in the Star Routes trials were successfully defended by noted lawyer and orator, Robert Ingersoll.[5] Brady and Dorsey were acquitted by the jury in the 1883 trial. Public disgust over the Star Routes graft served as an impetus for civil service reform and the passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883.
See also
- Ulysses S. Grant presidential administration scandals
Notes
- ^ JSTOR 1892626.
- ^ a b c d e Grossman 2003, p. 103.
- ^ Grossman 2003, p. 104.
- ISBN 978-1-57607-060-4.
A.J. Creswell Scandal.
;New York Times (June 18, 1883), A Ring's Work and Power - ^ Ingersoll, Robert. Opening remarks to the jury in the second Star Routes trial December 21, 1882. Retrieved 2007-05-08.