Star Routes

the name applied to postal lines over which the mail cannot be carried by railroad or steamboat. In 1881 the second a istant Postmaster-General, Thomas J. Brady, and others, including Senator S. W. Dorsey, of Arkansas, were accused of combining with certain mail contractors to defraud the Government. The combination had originally 134 routes, upon which the compensation for service under the contract amounted to $143,169. By increasing the number of trips per week, shortening the contract time for each trip and allowing therefor, the compensation was raised to $622,808. Dorsey was brought to trial in 1882. Dorsey denied all charges and the first jury failed to bring a decision. A second trial took place in 1883 and Dorsey was acquitted. Brady’s trial was postponed, and no decision was found against him. But the corrupt combination was broken up, though not before several therein concerned became enormously enriched from the spoils, Stare and Stripes, see appendix, page 410. “‘ Star-Spangled Banner.’? This song was composed September 13, 1814, during the bombardment of Fort McHenry, by Francis S. Key, a young Baltimore an, who had gone down the harbor in a cartel ve el. It was published and sung at the theaters to the air of ‘‘ A nacre on in Heaven,’ and immediately became popular. 252