Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-01-05
THE NEJy SPEAKER.

- - ~ - " - f~f -
Mr.. Kclr, the representative from
the Third Indiana district, who has
boen elected Speaker Of the Forty.
fourth Congress, h u native OF thia
State, having boon born near Titusvillc,
Crawford county, in 1927. The foun.
iation of his education was laid in the
common schools of Crawford county,
but no subsequently studied at several
academies, in the meantime teaching
school and improving his mind by 4
course o. steady and profitable read.
ing. Haying taken up his residence in
Kentucky, Mr.. Kerr studied law in tho
University Of Louisville, where hc
graduated with marked honors. After
short residence IN Kentucky he no.
moved to New Albany, Indiana. Here
his talents and ability soon brought
him into notice in'lS51 he was clcct.
cd TO tho Legislature OF Indiana tor
two years. In this position he en-.
HANGED his reputation and popularity
both by votes aud speeches. His ndg.
mcnt was sound aud he had the cour.
age to vote for the right, no matter
what influence was brought TO bear
upon him from interested parties. BE.
sides serving in the Legislature Mr..
Kerr also acted at different periods as
City Attorney, and Prosecuting At
torncy OF Floyd county. In 1862 he
was chosen reporter Of the Supreme
Court of Indiana, and edited with great
ability and cleanliness five volumes of
the reports Of that body. In 1862 Mr.
Kcrr made his appearance on national
platform, having been chosen To the
Thirty-ninth Congress. lie was also
reelected in 1866, 1868, 1870 and 1874
In Congress tho career of Mr.. Kerr
was true TO the principles which he
protested. He opposed all illegal
schemes for abstracting money from
the national treasury, insisted upon
public officers being held to a strict ac-
count urged the discontinuancc Of
needless office holders, and recommend
cd Infringing the government back to
the early rules Of honesty and ccono-
my. Being nm impressive speaker,
and at all tunes fortified with facts,
Mr. Kerr commanded the attention of
the House whenever he spoke. Ills
record is that Of an honest, upright
and consistent Democrat, firm in his
principles without partisanship, and
no suspicion Of venality or trickery has
ever attached to him. lie has the
courage TO say no when that is the
right word-an admirable qualification
for Speaker Of the House of Repre-.
scntatiyes at this time. In relation to
the personality of Mr. Kerr, it was
thus sketched by a late Washington
correspondent: ale is tall, thin and
spare. His face is thin and angular.
His eyes, blush gray, CLINT and glow
from under pair Of strong, projecting
eyebrows. His nose slong, sharp and
quivers when excited, like wild mans.
The lower part of his face falls away
into n sort of lap-robc Of beard of
a sandy-brown color. His forehead
climbs up bleal; and bare until the top
of the skull is reached; here you fnd
slight underground Of sandy hair
that becomes thick hedge lower about
the ears. The complexion Of the man
is sallow (the bilious climate of Indiana
has done that for him) but when ami
mated in debate the rich blood jumps
up under his skin until he has rs much
color MS a coy virgin first telling the
story of her love. Kerr always dresses
in suit of rusty black that nops and
clings to him after the fashion OF gar
monts once made very wet and since
hung up to dry, Tho rusty color OF
his clothes and the absence OF bright,
positive lnts about his face give Kerr
a decidedly rusty appearance, bat il is
the rust of steel Strike against him
and you never fail TO draw fire and the
proper ring" This is Michael c. Kerr
who will preside over the most import
ant session of Congress that has been
held within the last decade.