The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-13

lima, Nnnessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Texas and
Mary land, and that tho work rs still going
on at the Of ten t,tweny thousand per night Mr.
Kennedy Acknowledges to have superinended tho work
out Of Office hours, but oenics having used his official
frank or aided tho movement at government expense
lie is only exercising his rights Of citizenship. large
has been hired exclusively for this purpose, and
the labor Is chiefly performed by volunteers
As certain members Of Congress were ad-
vised from home Of the receipt by their con-
stituens OF these documents, they became highly
indignant. Some of them called upon Mr.. Ken
nedy, and commanded him 10 cease sending the
documents into their districts. Mr. Hindman, 1t s
said demanded of him promise that he would refrain
from sending Union documents into Arkansas Mr.
Kennedy refused accedc stating that his propositions
must be written, when Mr. Hindman declared he would
hold Kennedy to personal account and that he would
hear from him IN writing lie then wrote demand
ing that Kennedy would eease at and absolutely
the conduct whereof he had verbally complained, and
which he deemed "intolerable impertnence, not to
be submitted TO-" and required immediate and expl-
cit answer.
Mr.. Kennedy replied that the tenor Of Mr. Hndmans
would be sufficient Of itself to any notice,
yet, waving such considerations, he would request
him. in order to avoid misapprehensons put in writing
the nature of the demand referred to.
Mr. Hindman did not do so, but his resolution refer
red to- probably intended TO answer the object in
view.
The following correspondence, showing the efforts Of
portion OF the Virginia delegation in this matter is in
the possession Of members of both houses
CENSUS OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
WASHINGTON, Jan 81, 1881
GESrEnN--I have the honor 70 acknowledge commu-
nication from you just received, which is In the follow
ing words, VIZ
HOUSE, OF RrPnrsESrArTyrs,
7 ~ n Ecn Grrar artptou of th
sn-4t our Interview this morning you offered TO repyin
10 regard alleged distribution poll speeches and
do under the authority of your olce We prescn.
Very respectfully, your obcdent servants ...
4 a. JENKfSs.
The interrcgatores which you have proposed proceed
Question Frst-Have the clerks in the Census
Office or any Of thom, been employed by your
authority or that OF any officer Of government
in distributing political speeches or documents for
circulation IN virginia. In reply ! answer, that
have exercised no authority over any clerk number
Of clerks in this Office for the purpose mentioned,
have they been thus employed by any other officer of
the government, saving as is hereinafter explained.
Question Second-f so, have they been employed
in out of Office hoursf In reply, not aware Of
any clerk being employed in directing any political
speeches or documents in Office hours Out OF this oce
and out OF office hours they are not subject to any con-
troll of mine.
Question Thirdf So are they allowed to usc the re-
of names in directing and distrbgt
ing such political speeches documentsY / allowed
portion Of the Of record In this ONCE to be copied In
with the request the and Lane
United States Central Committee, as supposed at the
time for the purpose Of beng usod in directing and dis
tributrg political documents speeches; and
Gently permitted abstract of names for the plr
pose distributing the speeches OF southern members Of
Cor gress who have plead for tho Unon
Question Fourih--h 50, In thus allowing the census
cle KS or Ia allowing SUCH be made OF tho census
returns prepared or do you feel bound to give
70 every member of Congress-, the same advantages In
distributing speeches. other political documents, given
to the members persons parties In whose favor your
authority has been already thus used In reply answer
that the discharge official duties have avoided all
Partially, earnestly endoavorng to comply with every
reasonable request, midc by members OF Congress or
Others without regard TO party always grahed 10 per
forming, when hao the power, many things which, as
a matter OF official duty, old not feel bound to do and
with the same feeling whereby have been animated
heretofore sha be prepared 10 respond favoraby,
as Jar as lies in my power, to any request whero@i'h
piance would not be inconsistent with my official
s'ayapage" b. any other member of Congress which
under similar crcumstances would deny 70 oithor Of
you.
Question Fif b--Has the labor Of addressing the
speeches docum. ns referred 10 been apporuoned
among all some Of the clerks under your CONTROL aud
u intimaton given that a compliance expected ?
10 reply, al swer that have desired directed
hat npy clerk, any number Of clerks, shoud at any
time perform duty in oussent with his Official oblga.
ITEMS, and the clerks who may be engaged In directing
any spe, ch or documents volunteers such employ
nent perform tho duty out OF Office hours and out Of
ce Documents or political speeches have not,
by ny direction, been out up by census clerks within
office hou's, and no clerk has been urged 10 aid in
the distribution OF any political matter as many more
have tender their services than can be usofully
employed. lnasmuch my Official duties occupy much
time than is usually devoted to public business,
have not had sufficient leisure TO engage personally In the
directing of documents or speeches. and NJ use for my
ccal frank for their distribution; but while clearly
oompre eheDdng my duty public officer, am not in
sensible TO the of any influence, no humble
may legtpatey exert oheTs 10 the exercise OF
my rights citizen, which will not remain inactive
white their is wide field Tor their employment.
am, with great respect, your obedent servant,
JOS. q. g. KENNEDY.
w. c., Hon. A. G. JESiss, NJ c., House of Representa-
tiyes.