The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-06-15
MIR. KERR'S STATEMENT.


AT the investigation in relation to the
charges against Speaker Kerr on Monday
Mr.. Kerr came into the committee room
quite feeble, and presented the following
statement, which was read by Elliott
When / entered Congress in the year
1865, understood that some kind of re-
organization of the army was in progress,
and that considerable number of lieu
tenants were to be appointed in the same
way, did not understand that this was
to be done under the provisions of any
pre-exsting law or Of any department
regulation authorized by law, but that it
was being done under some voluntary
regulation made by the department. |
did not understand that the appointment
was legal right vested in representa-
tives, or duty imposed on him by law
like the appointment of cadets to acade-
mics, but rather privilege given him by
the War Department. / remember see-
ing in the public press some department
order on the subject, the terms OF which
do not remember well | know that |
regarded the appointment as due to my
district or State, in preference to all 9TH
ers, if application was made. remem-
Der quite distinctly that offered the
recommendation to two of my constitu-
ents at different times in 1866, Col. Thos.
S. Jackson and another whose name l
am quite confident was Major Thomas
Morrison, both of whom had rendered
gallant service in the volunteer army. l
am put in doubt as to the tender Of the
place to Morrison by the fact that he, as
learn through my law partner at home,
thinks the offer of the appointment was
made to him in 1867 instead of 1865. If
am mistaken at all it is only as to the
name. am clear in my recollection
that l offered it to two Federal soldiers
whom regarded as worthy and compe-
tent. These gentlemen, however, de-
Clined. am not aware that any Demo-
cratic soldier ever applied to me for the
place. l absolutely know that ! held the
appointment at the service of the people
Of my district or State, if any should ap-
ply, but none applied, not one of whom
have the slightest recollection. When
the long session of Congress was well ad-
vanced, and the time for these appoint
ments was passing away, | was called
upon by Augustus p. Green, of n. Y. 1t
is possible that he was first introduced to
me by Harney, but if he was / have no
recollection whatever of the fact. This
only know, that l never did, under any
circumstances, or at any period OF my
life, consciously know the man Harvey
never talked with him in conversation
that | could have gone beyond the mer-
est expression of the day. He never was
at my residence, never visited me any
where. l never talked with him on any
business matters whatever. He never
paid or proposed to pay me one penny
for any purpose in the world. His whole
state on that subject is utterly and wick
edly false. 1t is simply impossible that
| could have talked with him on a mat
ter so fatally involving my honor, official
decency and personal safety, and not re-
tanned vivid recollection of the facts;
but ! was introduced in some way to
Green, and my recollection is that the
first interview we had was on one of the
sofas in the hall Of the House. listened
to bis story, witnessed his anxiety to get
back into the army, and admired the en-.
thusiaSm with which he spoke of his SER
vice in the volunteer army. He showed
me his testimonials, those | mean filed
by him early in the session. Whether
he exhibited to me the original Of these
papers, or copies of them | don't distinct
ly remember, but ! do remember that
they were regarded by me as highly
creditable to him. also remember hav-
ing said to him in substance that ad-
mired his soldierly build and bearing,
but said to him: "You are comparative
ly stranger to me, and most of these
gentlemen whose recommendations you
produce, are strangers to me. If youc can
get some recommendation from person
al friends in New York whom / know in
person or by reputation, l will feel in
clined to consider your application favor
ably" He answered affirmatively that
he could; that he would return to New
York and get them. He did go away
How long he was gone | do not know,
but if were to fix any time would say
it could hardly have been less than a
week He did return with several rec
concentrations; should think not less
than half dozen from persons of the
kind l had indicated, who did recon-
mend him both on personal grounds and
as a soldier ! regarded these recon-
mendations, together with others | had
seen, as clearly placing him within the
requirements of the law or regulation,
and upon the whole case thus made |
gave him the recommendation, saying to
him at the same time that had not an
application from home, and thought it
quite safe to assume at that late day that
there would be none. Mr.. Green states
that | went to the War Department with
him.. My recollection is to the contrary,
and my intercourse with the department
was conducted by letter. l feel quite
clear in the impression that l required
Green to 90 to the department and get
the precise form of words that would
meet the requirements of the depart
ment for me to indors9 on his appliCa-
lion, and that l did simply copy that
form on the back of his application. 1t
is possible, however, that in this | may
be mistaken. Mr.. Kerr confirmed the
statement of the witness Moore in refer
ence to the attempt to ascertain who the
writer of the anonymous letter was, and
stated positively that when he went to
New York on a ten days leave of absence
it was on account of his health, and had
no connection with the Harney matter.
After cross examination by various
members, the committee adjourned.