Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-27

The Charge Against Speaker Kerr.
The serious charge made against Speaker
Kerr, that in 1866 he secured the appoint
ment OF an army officer, for which he took a
pecuniary consideration, after careid Ill in
quiry through the best sources OF informa-
ton within reach, develops the following
In regard to the matter - The direct
S3haIge Tin MADE de- is tnat a. +; Green, OF New
In the regular army in the summer of 1866,
on the recommendation of Speaker Kerr
and that Kerr received $500 for influencing
President Johnson to make it. The state
ment TO corrOborate the charge is that Gfeen
had served in the volunteer army during the
war as an officer in the 18th regiment of New
York engineers. He was DESTROYS after its
close to secure an appointment In the regu-
lar army. He came TO Washington for the
purpose and called on Lawrence Harvey, a
friend, who held position as doorkeeper OF
the House OF Representatives, having been
appointed 10 the place On the recon- menda-
ton OF Con gresham Darling, of New York.
Green made known his aspiration to Har-
ney, and the latter introduced the former to
Mr.. Kerr, who then represented an Indiana
district in Congress. Mr.. Kerr interested
himself in Green and secured his appoint
ment. On the day of his nomination ne paid
$500 to Harvey, which Harvey says he paid
to Mr.. Kerr.
got out in this way. When Congressman
Darling was appointed appraiser of merchan-
disc in New York city he gave Harvey q
subordinate position in his office. A number
OF weeks ago Harvey, in talking with some
of his as sociates in the office, made the state
ment that he had at one time paid Speaker
Kerr 5000 to secure an army appointment.
tno%o one 70 bssd was vas made 1t
An inquiry was made, when Harvey told the
story substantially as above stated. Green
at the time was in New York. he was sought
ami cCrroborated Harney's statement to the
eject that he paid the latter the 5000, but he
knew nothing OF how Harvey disposed OF It,
Son after the Com .nittee on Expenditures
Is. or NlyfF 1ptNft "A
ed with the facts.
at the time the committee were first APP
prised of the startling allegation, Mr.. Kerr
W absent, and II was deemed best not to
proceed with an investigation until he
should return. Upon his return, however
asst week, Green aud Harvey were SUNNI On
ell 10 testify. Green came day before yes
terday. and went Informally before Messrs
Clymer, Danford and Bass, and made the
statement that be had paid Harvey 5000.
Harvey has acknowledged the service Of his
subj oena, but is sick In New York, and has
not vet reported.
Yesterday Chairman CIymer went to Mr..
Kerr and made known to him the terrible
aecus alton against him. He replied that he
had heard Of 1t some weeks before through
an anonymous letter, and had taken means
to trace the source OF the letter and the cir
cumstances connected with it.
The record OF the War department shows
that Green was appointed on the recon-.
mendation Of Mr.. Kerr. Among other pa
pers is a letter written by Mr.. Kerr on the
day OF the confirmation OF Green to the Sec
rotary OF War, asking that "the commission
OF Lieutenant Green, just confirmed, and
who was appointed on his (Kerrs) recon-
mendation, be forwarded TO Green's address,
In New York city," which was given.
The charge Is made by Baltimore paper
that the republican members OF the COM
mtttee disclosed the testimony. This Is pos
itively denied, and it is stated on the other
hand that IL never would have gotten out at
all had not Chairman Clymer told 1t to some
OF his democratic friends. who In turn told 1t
TO others.
The friends of Mr.. Kerr believe there is no
truth in the charge, and that If any money
was paid in the matter 1t never reached him.
Speaker Kerr declines to make any state
ment at the present time concerning the &C
cusatiOn. His friends, however, say that
Green came to him highly recommended by
personal friends In New York city, and that
IN the end Mr.. Kerr will completely demol-
ish the charge.