Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-06-05

K. A
bank suit, that Darling told him about the
char ges, and he had supposed the whole
Ihlng mad been dropped, that he was not Har-
ney's lawyer; and that he had advised Oar
hog 10 drop the matter, as IL would not help
ms case In any way. In a couple OF days re-
lnrDed to this city and related the facts to
Mr.; Kerr and his friends, who held a caucus
AZ Wlllards Hotter. II was agreed that Mr..
Sidney Webster, of New York, should be
engaged 10 prosecute the writer of the anon
ymous letter in the criminal courts Went
TO New York a couple of DAYS sTterwar,is
ana scored the services of Mr.. Webster,
| VINO is now having the matter LOOKED up.
Mel Harvey in New York the same day IN
the Tribune bdilding. He said that Johnny
Davenport ard Bliss were crowding him to
MAKE political capital out OF this conspiracy
ard scandal, but that he (Harney) did not
want to have anything to do with them;
| that both were bad men and Id rascals
ard scoundrels, and that he (Harney) did
not want 10 be witness.
otto SeiSSTing, proprietor OF the Little Ed
Dit House, testified that he had resided in
this city since 1861, and that In October. 1866,
he received an appointment as lieutenant;
was examined by 4 board, but failed to pass
on account OF physical debility. Was intro
duced 10 Hon. Myer Strouse; told him that
ne lwitnessl did not think that bis member
would do anything for him. He (Strouse)
examined the papers OF witness, and a few
days afterwards received the appointment.
Came here from Missouri; money passed
from witness through Mr.. Oppenhier 10
Mr.. Strouse-S300-to pay Necessary ex.
penses, carriage hire, &c. The appointment
was handed witness before he paid ont the
money. Afterwards, when he failed TO pass,
MI. Strouse returned him the full amount.
Speaker Kerr's statement.
Speaker Kerr then came in the committee
room. He was very weak, and had. the fol-
lowing statement read by Mr.. Elliott, his
attorney:
When 1 entered Congress in 1865 under
stood some kind OF reorganization of the
army was In progress, and that a consider
able number OF lieutenants would be APP
pointed In some way. did not understand
that this was to be done under the provis-
ions of any pre-existing law or any depart
ment regulation authorized by such law; but
thatit was being done under some voluntary
regulation made by the department. L did
not understand that the appointment was a
legal right resting in the representative or a
duty imposed upon him by the law. like the
but rather privilege given him by the War
department.. remember seeing in the pub.
lie press some department order on the SUBJ
1ect, the terms OF which do not remember.
/ well know that l regarded the appoint
ment as due TO my district or state in prefer
eDce TO all others If application were made T
remember quite distinctly that offered the
recommendation to two OF my constituents
at different times in 1866 Col. Thos. j. Jack
son, and another whose name feel quite
confident was Major Thomas Morrison
bo!h OF whom had rendered gallant service
IN the volunteer army. am put in doubt
as 10 the tender OF the place TO Morrison, by
the fact that he, as / learn through my
appointment was made 10 him in 1861, in
stead OF 1866. II am mistaken at all, il is
only as TO the time. / am clear in my
recollection that offered IT 20 two ex. feier-
al soldiers, whom / regarded as worthy and
competent. These gen tlemen, however, both
declined. / am lot aware that any demo-
cratic soldier ever applied to me for the
place. l absolutely Know that L held the
appointment at the service OF the people of
my distinct or state, if any should ap-'
ply. But lone applied.not one -nf
WEGm | gave the slightest recollection
When the lor session o. Congress was well
advanced and the time for these appoint
ments was passing away, was called upon,
as has already appeared, oy Augustus p.
Greene. OF New York. II is possible that he
was first introduced 10 me by Harvey, but IL
be was have no recollection whatever OF
the fact. This only know, that did never,
under any circumstances, or at any period
OF my life, consciously know the man Har-
ney. l never talked with him in any con-
velsation that could have gone beyond the
merest expires sions OF the day. He never was
at my room; he never visited me anywhere,
never talked with me on any business m at
ter whatever. He never paid or proposed to
pay me one penny of money for any pur-
on that subject is utterly and wick
eddy false. 1t Is simply Impossible
that L could have talked with him on a mat
ceDcy and personal SAFETY, and not have
retained vivid recollection OF the fact. But
was introduced in some way To Mr.. Green
view we had was on one OF the sofas In the
nall OF the House during a session OF the
House. i listened TO his story; / witnessed
his anxiety to get back into the army, and
admired the enthusiasm with which he
spoke OF his services in the volunteer army.
He exhibited his testimonials to me-those /
mean, filed by him early in the session.
Whether he exhibited To me the originals of
these papers or copies of them do not dis.
tinctly remember, but do remember that
they were regarded by me as highly credl-
Il a lsnr hnr h. 40
TO him In substance that / admired his
soldierly brild and bearing, but said TO him
you are comparatively a stranger to me,
most of these gentlemen whose recommen-
dations you produce are strangers to me,
II You can get some recommendations from
persons I'm New York whom know in per-
to CONSIDER your application favorabIy, and
saying to him at the same time that had
10 application from home, and thought It
safe 10 assume at that late day that there
would be none. Mr.. Green states that /
went with him TO the War department.
Ny recollection is to the contrary, and
ment was conducted by letters. / feel
quite clear IN the impression that
required Mr.. Green TO go TO the depart
would meet the reauirements of t the DEPART saa
ment for me TO endorse on his application,
and that did simply copy that form on the
PACK OF ms application; II Is possible, how
sire 10 explain briefly TO the committee why
il was that took the steps did in reference
TO Hanrey and Green in New York. When
/ received the anonymous note in an envel-
ope post marked New York, read 1t and
Te-read 1t, and recalled the recollection of
the fact that / had recommended a man
named Green for a lieutenancy In the army
who had been appointed. But could recall
no recollection whatever OF Harvey; did
not know, therefore. how to interpret the
anonymous note except by the assn mption
that II meant blackmail, In which opinion
my friends almost universally concurred
Mr.. ]. 3. Moore happened TO be In the city at
lifetime. Our relations had been exceedingly
friendly for many years and my mind at once
turned towards him, knowing him TO be an
officer In the New York custom house as
the only man who could likely secure some
information about Harvey, IL not also about
Green. Soon after the receipt OF this note
a. Ger tanned from the War department thai
Mr.. Green bad been dismissed the service on
the verdict of a court-martial for drum KEN
ness. 1t ed TO nae that he might since
have been become wreck in conduct and
character, who could be used by wicked
men for lawless purposes. 1 therefore de-
string naturally to ascertain something
about him, and requesting Mr.. Moore NOT
only TO get such Information CONCERNING
Hsrney on his return to New York, as
he could, but also concerning Green. / gave
Mr.. Moore q copy OF the anonymous note
and retained the original. For what took
place In New York afterwards as to the en-