The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-06-03
MIR. KERR'S CASE.


ent Speaker of the House Of Representa-
tives, has always sustained the reputation
OF being a representative Democrat.
True, there may be very considerable differ
ences of opinion as to what constitutes the
exact standard Of qualification necessary
to acquire such distinction; still it has been
accorded him and no doubt justly, upon the
record of a blameless life, and of heretofore
clean political hands. Others there are, no
less representative perhaps of modern
Democracy, Mr.. Pendleton for instance of
the speculative type, or Mr.. Fitzhugh of
the more vulgar place seeking class, no
in general sense, but ranking far below
MIR. Kerr in their claims upon public con-
fidence or in the respect accorded them by
their more respectable party associates.
Regarded as far above, and superior to the
average of his party in character and indi-
vidual standing his conceded party posi-
ton, readily secured him the honors of the
Speakership against competitors equally as
prominent as himself, but not as fully re.
spected personally. 1t is but stating a
fact, to admit that Mr.. Kerr is one of the
few representatives of the majority at
Washington, whose personal disgrace
should be matter of regret to every rea-
sonable man. To regard it otherwise,
manifests a contemplate partisanship,
which can find no excuse or justification,
in the fact that illiberal Democrats have
rejoced at the downfall of prominent and
heretofore respected Republicans. Every
true man, be his political sympathies what
they may, equally deplores the reflection
cast upon the American name, and the
stigma thrown upon our public men as a
class, by every exposure of individual weak
ness, or personal dishonesty. A disgraced
Belknap, or suspected Kerr, are serious
and deplorable national injuries, unmiti-
gated by the question as to which political
party, either Or both may be identified
with. Mr.. Kerr, admirable as has been
his political record, rests under an imputa-
ton and suspicion, not relieved by the mere
earnestness of his denial of the charges
made against him. The facts at issue be-
tween him and the witnesses Green and
Harvey can be stated in very few words.
1t is not denied, that Green obtained lieu
tenancy in the army by the influence of
Mr.. Kerr, and that the former paid Harvey
$3.50 as consideration therefor. The
disputed fact is, as to whether Mr.. Kerr
received from Harvey the amount paid him
by Green, as he Harvey asserts. The re-
ceipt of this amount from Harvey Mr..
Kerr denies under oath, and is indirectly
sustained by the belief of Green that Har
ney did not pay the sum to Mr.. Kerr, but
retained it for his own use. Thus it will
be seen that the real issue is one of verac-
ity between Mr.. Kerr and Harvey. Now,
so far as the uncorroborated statement of
the two men is concerned, the advantage
would be with the former. But unfortu-
nately for the Speaker, just here faulty
memory damages him. He cannot remem-
Der that he ever knew Green; yet the rec
ords of the War Department show that
Mr.. Kerr had certified to the fact that he
not only knew him, but that he considered
him physically, mentally and morally fit to
be lieutenant in the U. S. service. The
fact furnished by this record, that the
appointment was given Green upon the
recommendation of Mr.. Kerr. That he
was a man not only unknown to the latter,
but a resident of another State. That his
influence was secured for stranger by
man (Harney) who received a money con-
sideration for the service of introduction,
and who had no reasonable or valid claim
upon Mr.. Kerr for such influence in behalf
of his Harney's friend Green, altogether
make up case in appearance at least dam
aging and suspicious. 1t certainly is not
asking too much of Mr.. Kerr to thor
oughly explain these facts. True, the issue
is raised as to the corruption of the case
by one man only. But it must he remem
bered that the resolutions of impeachment
of Gen. Belknap were passed upon the tes-
timony of the one man Marsh, and he an
accomplish. Harvey stands before the
committee, so far, an unimpeached wit
ness; and it will remain for Mr.. Kerr to
rid himself of the shadow he is now under,
only by producing unanswerabe evidence
in Confederation of his own statement