New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-05-30
A REVIEW OF THE CASE.
AS GREAT SENSATION AS THE BELANAP fAfosoN NJ
is THIS ANOTHER SAFE BURGLARY CONSPIRACY

-FACTs REQUIRING EXPLANATION.
iRr TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNR.i
w.su1SGToN. MAY 29.-Among all the startling
disclosures made by the Investigating Committee VI
the House during the present session OF Congress-
land score or more of these committees nave Decn
constantly in session for the past four months,
searching the dark corners of the administrator ana
striving TO uncover secrets none since tnat WHICH
resulted in the sudden impeachment of Secretary
Belknap has caused so profound sensation among
Washington politicians as the terrible accusation
now made against Speaker Kerr. The shock
has been, if anything, greater than that
xben the eX-SecretaTy of War was hrst
nublcly and officially accused of accepting
h,bes Former publications in regard to the sale OF
ost traderships and especially those in The TRIB-
rvv touching Mr. Marsh's relations to Evans, the
Fort Sill trader as well as vague but very wide
,Dread impression that corruption was likely 10 DC
discovered somewhere in the War and Navy Depart
,ents. mad in measure prepared the pubic Tor the
,snort of Mr. Clymer's Committee. Inc excitement
- course intense but it was not of that Deep
earnest, lasting character which mas preVaheu al
o. Con;tol TODAY Speaker Kerr has always been
,1o1,o1 ,ron both nv political friends and opponents
:. ,ho vary personifcation of upightneSs and H.
E,orr;tv II was this fact, more than almost any
hino else which gave him his chief strength as
..nddate for the Speakership, since he LACKS that
arsopal magnetism and those social qualities whlch
Io,ld enable him TO make friends OF those Win
xbou he came in contact. The manner In whlch ne
constructed some of the important committees
Al the House surprised the country, ana hau
,he selection sheen made by almost any one else
..no of them would certainly have gwen
,.s 10 the suggestion that corrupt nhu-
.ooos had been at work. In his case no
,neb hint was ever dropped at the Capitol, aud
Vb;le the singular organization of the committees
the House was for some time the subject OF wlue-
uread discussion. suggested that the speaker
Iad not been thoroughly honest and conscientious IN
,he perfornance of the important duty when de-
,lvsd mon hlm, Another circumstance which
makes the present scandal more painful If possible
tban II otherwise would be- is the precarous state Of
Sneaker Kerr's health His presence in his place in
the House never fails to arouse the sympathy OF
avery one who notices the difficulty with which he
performs his duties
The appearance Of Lawrence Harvey, the witness
who il had been reported would testify that he had
brbed Mr. Kerr to appoint his friend Green 10 po-
Istion In the army caused great excitement about
the Capitol this morning His examination was to
have begun at 10 o'clock, but the absence OF the
Speaker caused postponement first until II o'clock
and subsequently until 1. At that time the witness
was on hand and the Speaker was also present, ac-
sompanied by Scott Lord of the House and X
*. Elliott Washington attorney. Several
sthers of his political friends including Mr.. Morr-
son Mr. Springer, and Mr.. Hereford, and ex-Minister
Harvey also came in while Mr.. Harvey was giving
his testimony. The lower end of the room was
crowded with newspaper correspondents and others
drawn thither by curiosity or their friendship for
the Speaker Mr.. Harvey is an intelligent-looking
man. nearly 80 years of age, but looking ten years
Ha cd IN ali pO morning
Owing perhaps to the fact that sickness and anxiety
had prevented him from sleeping much during the
past ten days, ho appeared rather nervous when
placed upon the stand. At first he showed disn-
slination to testify in regard to his alleged
dealings with Mr.. Kerr; but when the
Speaker desired that he should keep back
nothing of any transactions that had taken place
between them on account of their confidential char
acter be said with considerable show OF excitement
that he should tell the whole truth. His story was
repeated in very clear, connected ana mtelhgioio
manner as though he had expected to be called upon
10 testify, and had prepared himself by refreshing
his memory as to many of its incidents.
Mr.. Harneys story in brief is this That In the
Spring Of 1866, while he held the position OF AS
kstant Doorkeeper of the House OF Representatives
10 interested himself in behalf OF friehd' augustus
p Green who desired position in the regular army
Being unable to secure this appointment 'lnous"
DE Influence of New,Jork Members OF Congress-
md ,ear,ir, that Mr.. Kerr had not filed the va
eancy to which he was entitled to nominate one Oh
his constituents, Mr.. Harvey applied to him IN De-
half of his friend Sir. Kerr listened to him and
aid that he had already nominated one man, Dut
Mat AZ he had failed to appear aud qualify he might
recommend another name. Mr. Harvey soon
afterward introduced Mr.. Green TO MIR. Kerr
st the House of Representatives, and by APP
continent afterward went to Mr. kerrs room TO
consult with him about it. Subsequently he called
90 Mr.. Kerr again, this time In company with Mr.
Green, and afterward made third call on the same
Business alone At one Of these interviews be told
Dir Kerr that he knew that Offices of this kind were
worth something, and that his friend having no
flaiIn upon him, was willing TO pay him for his
trouble. Mr. Kerr remarked that il the place was
worth anything it was worth $500. MIR. Harvey
said that his friend poor aid nc did not think
he could raise SO large sum as $500, but named
B4OO as the probable amount he could pay. Mr..
Harvey says that Kerr seemed dspleased that Green
could not pay the $500. Subsequently it was ar
ranged between Mr. Harvey and MIR. Green that the
amount to be paid should be $3.50, and Mr.. Harvey
vas TO lend Green 500 OF this until lac could repay
4. Mr. Green did pay 10 Mr.. Harvey $40 in %,
b1O and $40 bills. Mr.. Harvey added $40 to the
hum. and few days later paid 1t 10 Mr. Kerr in the
kordor of the east side of the Hall Of Representa-
lives He says that Mr.. Kerr came out there and re-
marked that he would take the money then; that
ke fHarncyl took it from his pOcketiand gave it to
Ar. Kerr and that Mr. Kerr then said that he would
write 10 the War Department that day and have the
appointment made ont A few days later Mr. Green
Eent him the $40 in a registered letter.
Mr.. Harvey was very sharply cross-queStloned
y Mr.. Elliott, but was not shaken on any OF inc
II a -. 81 tie etorv He showed come nervous