The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-05-30
WASHINGTON.
War Department investigation.
Speaker Kerr In q Tight Place.

ed thls morning before tue COmuIttee vi
Expenditures in the War Department t.
testify in relation to the allegations
against Speaker Kerr. The COMMITTEES
postponed the examination until o'clock
Harvey said he did not think he could
be present at that time as he was suffering
with neuralgia and would have to go tC
his room and lie down. Clymer. chair
man Of the Committee, informed Harvey
that he need not leave the room as he
could rest upon the sofa and the room
would be darkened and aguard placed at
the door to prevent visitors knocking for
admission. This accommodation was
agreeable 10 witness and he remained.
At the appointed time the committee
reassembled. Speaker Kerr and Messrs,
Morrison, Scott, Lord, Hereford, Spring
er, and other members Of the House,
were present. When asked about the
payment Of money, Harvey refused &c
testify, and when told he would be com.
PEELED 10, he asked time to consider, by
The advice Of counsel. Kerr said II wit
ness knew anything relating TO him he
was willing that witness should tell the
truth about it, <,
Witness-Does Mr.. Kerr want ME TO
tell all l know?
Mr.. Kerr-Yes, ! want you to tell the
truth about it. ...s
Witness Then / will tell the truth
about it, too.
Witness then said he met Green in
1866, and helped him get IN appointment
in the army as a Second Lieutenant.
Green paid witness $3.50, and witness
maid it into, Kerr's hands in the corridor
Of the east ball Of the House, and Kerr
put 1t in his pocket. Witness said | am
now ready to be cross.questioned by Mr..
Kerr on this matter.
The Committee on Expenditures in the
War Department assembled at o'clock
to-day. Speaker Kerr was present at
tended by Representatives Lord, Morri-
son, Hereford and Springer rs personal
friends, and by Il. K. Elliott, counsel.
Lawrence Harvey was sworn and ex-
amined by Mr.. Bass. He testified that he
was for i've years employed in the APP
praiser's office in New York, but in 1865
he was Assistant Doorkeeper OF the
House. He had known Green for 10
years. The first conversation he had
with Green in regard to procuring a Sec.
ond Lieutenancy in the army was in the
spring Of 1866 in the House, but he would
not tell anything OF q confidential nature.
Mr.. Bass hoped that the witness would
be compelled TO tell everything.
Mr.. Clymer declared that the question
must be fully answered.
Witness, in answer 10 repeated ques-
tions entreated the committee 10 excuse
him from answering the questions. He
wanted TO know what the committee
could do II he didn't answer, and Clymer
responded that this was for the committee
to determine. "i
Speaker Kerr here remarked that il
there was anything in connection with
him marking the transaction US contiden-
tial, the witness need not regardit, but he
expected the witncs, to tell the truth.
Witness-If Mr.. Kerr wants ME TO tell
the truth will do so.
Mr.. Bass-Tell what took place between
you and Green with regard to the pay
ment Of money. ,
Witness-Green said TO me that il ]
procured commission for him he would
nay me. told Green that it was at that
time impossible to get one, but ! would
search among the members OF the House
TO see whether there was vacancy. ]
found no, vacancy until saw Mr.. Kerr,
and when spoke to him Of It he said he
had already made nomination for his
district, but the candidate, had not come
forward. GFeen stated to me that il
Kerr obtained an appointment for him
he would pay for it. / had q con-
yersation with Kerr at his house,
at his invitation, and toldhim that Green
came from New York State, and that ]
was Republican. and Green was Re-
publican, but not an active ones Also
told him Green had good qualifications
for the place, and Kerr. seemed pleased
with Green's recommendations, but he
wanted Green 10 obtain Democratic en-
dorsement, so II any of his constituents
should question the propriety Of the ap-
pointment he could, show, that It was by
Democratic influence. Green obtained
such Recommendation. l asked Kerr
how much money / would have to pay
him, when'he said II the appointment was
worth anything II was worth $500. / said
/ thought Green could not give $500, but
could raise $400. Kerr did not seem
pleased with the latter amount.
I u,w Cantain Green that evening
/ told him Kerr, wanted $500, BE said
he had not that much money, and al | he
could raise. was S400. said We will
make it $500. Green counted me $500 in
SIS, $40 and 500 notes, and afterwards
found that he could give ME $40 more.
I took this amount and added $40 more
to it. Green subsequently forwarded ME
from New York $40 in registered letter
to reimburse me TO that amount which l
had advanced on his account. kept the
money in my pure for three or four days.
One afternoon, between three and four r.
NJ, Kerr came TO me when ! was on duty
at the east door Of the House OF Repre-
sentatiyes, and calling me to the stairs
leading near the doorway, said Har-
VeY, i Will lhkt tlut uOuc1 HOhs
] gave him the money, which he put into
his pocket, and remarked that he was 60
ing 10 the War Department TO make the
appointment, Witness testified that he
went three times TO see Kerr, and Green
accompanied him once. Thought he in
troduced Green to Kerr in the hall OF the
House. The arrangement was made
within ten days. Kerr never TO the
knowledge Of the witness spoke 10 Green
about money matters. l.
Q. When did You first disclose the cir,
stances affecting the subject Of the invcs'
tigation. -
Alt was in the appraisers office and
to Wm. A. Darling, one OF the most hon
eat Of men. [Laughtcr.l Yes, he was
honest, for he never sold an appointment
and never took cent Of money for what
he had done. / made an allusion tC
Democrats at Washington who were en-
gagged in the business Of Investigations
saying they were attacking Republicans
when the Democrats themselves were
more guilty than they were. About two
~ = n. 49, no1I.l -. -.