The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-06-03
THE KERR INVESTIGATION
Harvey still Sticks 10 his Story.

WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE cross-examina-
ton of Lawrence Harvey was resumed, r. X.
Elliott, counsel for Speaker Kerr, conducting
it. Witness said he would like to have Speaker
Kerr present.
Mr. Clymer said that Mr.. Kerr was not well
enough to be here,
Witness said the time that elapsed between
his first interview with Green, who was seeking
position in the army, and his first interview
with Kerr, was inside of month. Within
that time he was looking among members of
Congress to find out who had such an appoint
ment in the army. He spoke to VIM. A. OAR
ling, Henry j. Raymond, Nelson Taylor, and
another member of the House from Brooklyn,
since dead. He did not recollect the names of
any Others, and may have applied to the gentle
men named for information. Witness repeated
much of what he said on the direct examina-
ton, including the statement that Kerr said
Green. being Republican, must have Demo-
cratic endorsement He thought Green said
that Fernando Wood had recommended him.
Question-Did you propose to Green before
you consulted with any member of Congress
that you would procure him the place for $500
or $500?
Answer-I told him did not know what it
would cost, as did not know what the price of
member of Congress was.
Odd you not at the first interview pro-
pose specifically to him to procure an appoint
ment for $500 or $500?
A.-No.
Witness related the circumstances Of an in
terview with District Attorney Bliss. He said
Bliss sent for him. Bliss was alone, and as he
entered his room, shook hands with him, said
good morning, and complimented him on his
appearance, (laughter) and then Bliss expressed
desire to know something about the Greene
matter. Bliss asked, "What is the matter
about Greene? what's the trouble?' continuing
to ask questions of that kind. Bliss further
asked, did you not interest yourself about
Greene, and is there any money in the mat
terY'
Witness declined to tell him anything about
the money. He never saw Bliss again ON the
SUBJECT, and he made no communication to any
other gentleman, nor was he interviewed by any
newspaper correspondent. He thought Bliss
was an upright, honest gentleman, who would
punish all criminals. He never knew such a
man as he twas to push people. After Mr..
Bliss had made his recent statement in Nsw
York. he saw Bliss, who said he did make the
statement as he wanted to push the matter and
punish wrong-doers whether Republicans or
Democrats.
Bliss did not urge him to come to Washing
ton and testify, nor did any other gentleman.
The fact that he secured the appointment for
Green was unknown to everybody in New
York, but he said nothing about money to
anybody, and as he reported it was between
and o'clock p. m. when Mr.. Kerr called
him aside at the door of the House and said,
II will take that money now" After he re-
ceived the money from Greene, his relations
toward the Democratic party were of the best
kind.
Q.-What is a striker?
Alt is a man who gets all the money he
can out of you, and then knocks you down.
Q.-Are you striker?
Al never struck man for his money in
my life.
friends? Name some of them.
A-George Opdyke, Havemeyer. Missel-
roude and VIM. a. Darling.
Elliott, counsel for Mr.. Kerr, asked witness
about his recollection of copy of an anony-
nous letter sent to Mr.. Kerr, and which had
been shown to him by Mr.. Moore Elliott
wanted witness to write down a copy of the
letter. but he said he couldn't do SO, as the only
words he saw in the letter were Lawrence
Harvey, 1850" Elliott desired thus to test the
that Elliott had a right to make the request,
with the view of indicating that the witness
may have been the writer of the anonymous
letter.
Witness wrote his name on piece of paper,
80 that Elliott might judge of his handwriting,
but Elliott insisted that he should write out the
letter. Witness then said that be was now too
nervous to write, but might be able to do SO
sometime to-day.
Witness said he worked for Greene from mo-
tives of friendship, aud never expected to make
anything out of it. He further testified that
he met Mr.. Moore at the Tribune building, but
said nothing more to him than to pass the time
of day. He did not say that Bliss and Daven.
pUEb WcIo QdLQucu TdSCdlSs
After be had given his testimony on Monday
he left the committee room and had no sooner
done 80 than he was hooted at in the pas
sage way by men whom he thought were en-
ployed in the folding room. He hurried out of
the capitol and returned to his hotel.
Witness had a hurried conversation with
the clerk of the hotel, the clerk having said
to him, what have you been doing at the
capitol to-day. making big row?" Witness
said, he would find out the consequence and
made some allusion to the Democratic party,
but could not repeat his remarks as he was
very much excited at the time in consequence
OF his rude treatment at the capitol Soon af-
ter making the remark, however, seeing the
the improperly of it he recalled it.
After recess Hon. Meyer Strouse of Pennsyl-
vania, testified: He was member of Congress
from Schuylkill district in 1866. He knew
Lawrence Harvey who was assistant doorkeep-
or at the time. Harvey q number of times
asked him to use his influence to procure his
friend Green an appointment in the army.
Harvey spoke of Green's character as a soldier
and the witness wrote letter to President
johnson in favor of such an appointment
Harvey said to him, "You have influence with
the President and have always been the SOL
dier's friend, therefore yon can help Green by
writing letter." Harneyisaid to him that he
(Harney) could make little money, probably
$500 or $500, out of the business. Witness told
him be had nothing to do with that. He re-
ceiyed no money and never saw any. Witness
was very intimate with Kerr but never saw
him have any intercourse with Harvey.
On cross examination Strouse said Harvey
told him his position did not pay we'll and his
expenses were heavy.
Committee adjourned till tomorrow.