The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-06-01
Charges Against Speaker Kerr.

Charges Against Speaker Kerr.
The people all @yer the country participated
in the surprise. when it was announced that
Hon. Nj. G. Kerr, Speaker of the House of Rep
resentativcs, was undergoing investigation be-
fore the conmittee to examine into the expen-
dtureS OF the War Department. Fairminded
men Of hoth parties, who do not sympathize
with THE systematic efforts now being employ
ed tc 5lacken the regulations Of public SER
sants, however upright their conduct has
heretofore been in public estimation, revolted
at the bare thought of Mr.. Kerr's guilt. We
are sure we received the allegations against
MIR. Kerr with great incredulty,ahd even now,
after the evidence has been given to the coun-
try, encourage the hope that further develop
ments will clear away all traces of suspicioR
connected with the charges preferred.
We summarize the fYcts of the evidence as
adduced 1t seems that man named Karney
was assistant door-keeper to the House Of
Representatives in 1SG6-that A. P. Greene. .
personal friend, desired an appointments as
second lieutenant in the regular ARMY. Both
| OF these @aem were from New York. Greene
came to Washington, after having failed in a
previous application, to see what he could do
Tor hlmself. lie met Harvey and told him
what Inc wanted. Harvey responded that he
thought lie could help lHna, but it would cost
some money. Green agreed TO pay money if
| he could be commissioned. Harney looked
around and tine only vacancy he found was
an Mr.. Kerr's district, that gentleman having
nominated candidate who did not appear for
examination. Harvey approached Mr.. Kerr
'on the subject, and finally agreed upon $3.50 as
the price that was to be given for the appoint
ment. Harvey introduced Greene to Mr.. Kerr,
hit nothing was said about money then. Mr..
Kem WAS pleased with Greene, especially after
examining him, regarding him as well suited
for the position. He finally recommended him
for the appointment as qualified, morally, phys
icaly and mentally, and upon that recommen-
datian he was appointed. Harvey says that
Greene paid him $40, and that he added $40,
whict-Greene subsequently paid him, making
$3.50, which he handed to Mr.. Kerr. Greene
says he paid the money to Harvey, but does
rot believe that Harvey paid it to Mr.. Kerr
Mr.. Kerr, Under oath, 7tlened all the materi-
all statemcntst0 f Harvey. asserting that he does
not remember ever to have seen lhim before,
and specially and empl,aticahy deries ever
having received cent directly OF indirectly.
from Harney or any one else for his Influence.
A careful reading of the Testimony leaves
the impression chat Harney's statement is not
IscrctlittJlc-at least it is not so woven togethar
asfto carry the weight of -unimpeachable tcs-
tmony.
The fact that Greene was from New York
was Republican, as was Harvey, and that
Mr.. Kerr was from Indiana and aDemocrst-,
that Mr.. Kerr and Greene were strangers, and
that Harvey had 10 Claims upon MIR. Kerr.
throws mystery around the transaction that
needs explanation. In the denial Mr.. Kerr
made, lie said that he was SO feeble he cottld
not give such statement as he desired, and
on the occasion conld only make the broad and
emphatic denial of all statements tending to
reflect upon lis personal or official integrity.
We have oin1cd so very favorable an opinion
OF Mr.. Kerr tlfats before we can be induced to
entertain a suspicion of his honesty and integ-
.rty, the evidence must be overwhelming and
.Gnanswerable. We do not believe that he is
the man the evidence of Harvey would make
linn. and shall await further developments, in
the belief that fuller statement from Mr..
Kerr himself will clear away all that is cloudy
and suspicious.
We are gratified that the Republican press of
theecountry has generally taken similar view
of the matter. 1t presents quite contrast to
III, Of H.
prominent Republicans, against whom ev,-
Genoe not onr 1.-THE rs strong as that against
Mr. Kerr has been received as ssconfirmatioHs
-strong as proof OF holy writ of their guilt
e have believed none of the stories about
Blaine. or Bristosv, and not half that has been
charged against Belknap. and we extend
The same charity to Mr.. Kerr that we do to
them. 1t is easy, in;tLc, present maddened and
,feverish state of tie tpGblic mind, to blacken
/ the character of a man IN political life. bv
combinations fol partizanipurposes, ard we as
sume it to be the part Of fairness and honesty
to keep clear OF prejudice where the reputation
of gentlemeinis involved in .alegatons of any
kind, until tire evidence OF quilts indsputa-
BILE. We hope Mr. Kerr will make everything
Clear t0j just men sayho want to Judge fairly
.Andfarther tizat,Ae will satisfy the, public that
tse' costlsl not find man from his own State to
accept the appointment, and for this reason
made the selection from the State of New
York. 1t is hardly probable hat Greene's ap-
pointment would be charged to Indiana, when
probably he never was on the soil of that State.
and certainly did not claim citizenship the re.
Tae. appointment of Don. Cameron to the
position Of Secretary of War, has been inter
bretotlsn,yarious ways, and as fayorirg yari-
GUS interests. The meaning we attach to the
selection ISL tltat-some attention is to be given
to the rights of Republicans in the South.
and that fainexpression of pubic sentiment
AZ tie ballot-boX,Miil hereafter be demanded
and expected. At ,Isaaans this and nothing
more.
The Republicans ayoil a handsome victory in'
Eanvile OH the 25th alt. The candidate of
that party, Capt. j. G. $LHck, was elected May
or by&2 majority in a vote ] 800. The Repub-
lcans also carried Lynchburg and C1lpeper
Court House. electing the Mayor in each in
stance by decided majoritcs.