New-York tribune., 1876-06-01
WASHINGTON.
MR. KERRs FRIMDs CONFIDENT.

IL.
HARVEY TnE WITNESS ABsENis HIMSELF FOR
DAY-MR. KERRs EXPLANATION TO DE MADE
THIS WEEK.
iBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I
WASHINGTON, May 31.-Lawrence Harvey, the
witness against Speaker Kerr, failed to appear for
further cross-examination to-day. He called upon
Mr. Clymer Chairman of the Committee, on Mon
day evening for the purpose of securing postpone
ment OF bis further examination until tomorrow in
order that he might return to Newfork and consult
his physician. Mr.. Clymer told him that the Com
mittee had adjourned to meet at / O'Clock to-day.
and that lie had no power to postpone the meeting
or to excuse any witness from attending AT the
same time Sr. Harney understood that he was not
required to remain in Washington during the inter
vening time provided he returned in time to appear
this afternoon. 1t il learned that, accompanied by
Abram Wakeman. and with his advice. he returned
to New-York by the evening train on Monday, since
which time nothing has been heard from him. 1t
the opinion of members of the Committee that he
is detained at home by sickness, and that he will
report to the Committee at its meeting tomorrow
afternoon.
Public opinion in Washington is drifting more
and more strongly to conviction that Speaker Kerr
Is innocent Of the grave accusations made against
him. The only point in the whole case which seems
at all suspicious and which it is universally admitted
needs explanation is Mr. Kcrr's motive in going out
side Of his State and district in search of man to
fill the much coveted position to which Mr. Green
was appointed. The Speakers friends confident
that satisfactory explanation of this will be made,
and report that Mr. Kerr Will not postpone it longer
than day after tomorrow to allow Mr. Harney's
examination To be completed. 1t is stated
fact that far from numerous applications for this
appointment having been made to Mr.. Kerr. not
so can easily he shown. lie himself looked mp his
district young man who had served in the
army, whose record was good, and who Re-
publican and offered to recommend him for the
place. Tho offer was accepted. and the appontee
promised to come to Washington and submit to the
necessary examination. Through fear that he would
be unable to pass, or for other which he
will give If called upon he repeatedly postponed his
visit, and finally relinquishcd the appointment
altogether. Mr. Kerr having received no other ap-
picati0n, when Mr. Green was introduced to hiIo,
by whom, it is said, he does not remember and
being pleased with Green's appearance and the
evidences Lc produced of his good record as SOL
der hc agreed 10 appoint him provided he could
bring satisfactory certificates t0 his general char
actcr, &c Mr.. Green returned to New-York, and
subsequently either brought sent 10 Mr Kerr let
ters from ex-senator Harris, and Others equally
prominent ana Respectable lhcNe ietlcis "eIe
placed on file in the War Department, but when Dir.
Green was court rt-martiaed they were Withdrawn for
the use of the court. rs is shown by memoranda in
Gou.NNincent's office, and have not yet been re-
turned. THIS explanation, of which only bare cat
line is here gwen will. Mr. kerrs friends think, be
entirely satisfactory to the pnblic especially If they
are able 10 show that in several parts Of his test-
iuony Mr. farncy has sworn 10 what IA not true.
This they confidently expect to do. Speaker keUs
health il not as good ~ it was when he first re-
turned from ls visit to Virginia, although hs symp-
toms not of character 10 cause alarm or TO war
rant the exaggerated reports which have been circu-
lated m Washington and elsewhere during the past
few days. lie was suffering to-day from a severe
chill.