The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-21

sought him not to leave her.. The Speakers
SON, young man Of some twenty-one
years, whose affection for his father has
always been marked with the most touching
devotion, chung to the cold hand OF the
dying man with the silent anguish OF de
SPAR. The death scene was one OF peculiar
pathos and solemnity. The eyes OF the
Speaker rested with look of yearning ten
derness, infinitely soft and expressiyely
sweet, upon his stricken family, and then
wandered slowly around the room, as with
last farewell to those present
AROUND THE BED.
Hon. s. s. Cox stood near the head Of the
bed, and was deeply affected. The Speakers
secretary (Air. White) and Mr.. scudder (his
clerk) were also with him.
At an early hour this morning it was
thought by the physician in attendance that
death was near, but thetenacity OF life in the
emaciated body Of the sufferer excited the
wonder OF all, and set at defiance the expe-
rience OF the medical world.
For more than sixty hours before death he
took no nourishment.
The disease that baf1ed the medical skill
of the country. was phtisis intestines, or
consumption of the bowels. During the day
the Speaker lay in semi-lethargic condi-
ton, with eyes somewhat introverted and
half covered by the ids, occasionally varied
by sudden start as il from sleep, at which
times the intellect would be again thorough
ly aroused. ...,..,....- ..
DISEASE AND PAIN.
He suffered paroXysms Of intense pain,
which were rendered visible by the knotted
cords Of the muscles of the neck and limbs
and the contraction of the nerves OF the
face and eyes, though there was but little
audible indication Of his suffering.
SKETCH OF Mr.. KERR's LIFE.
The deceased was q native OF Pennsylva-
mia, having been born in Crawford county,
in that State, in 1927. The foundation OF his
education was laid in the common schools OF
Crawford county, but he subsequently stu
diedat several academies, teaching school in
the meantime, and improving his mind by
course OF steady and profitable reading.
Having taken up his residence in Kentucky,
Louisville, where he graduated with very
distinguished honors. After a short resi-
dencc in Kentucky he removed to New Al
bany, Indiana. Here his talents, energy,
and ability soon brought him into notice.
In 1856 he was elected to the Legislature OF
Indiana for two years. In this position he
enhanced his reputation and popularity both
by votes and speeches.
His Judgment was sound, and he had the
courage to vote for the right, no matter
what influence was brought to bear upon
him from interested parties. Besides serv-
ing in the Legislature, Mr.. Herr also acted
at different periods as attorney and prose-
cutting attorney OF his county. In 1862 he
was chosen reporter OF the Supreme Court
of Indiana, and edited with great ability and
clearness five volumes Of the reports OF that
body. In 1862 Mr.. Kerr made his first ap-
pearancc on national platform, having
been chosen to the Thirty-ninth Congress.
He was also reelected in 1866, 1868, 1870,
and 1874.
In Congress the career OF Mr.. Kerr WAS
true to the principles which he protested.
He opposed all illegal schemes for abstract
ing money from the national treasury, in
sisted upon public officers being held to a
strict account, urged the discontinllance Of
needless office-holders, and recommended
bringing the Government back to the early
rules of honesty and economy. Being an
impressive speaker, and at all times fortified
with facts, Mr.. Kerr commanded the atten-
ton of the House whenever he spoke.
His record is that OF an honest, upright,
and consistent Democrat, firm in his princi-
pies without partlsanship. On December
3, 1875, the Democratic caucus, on the third
4a1 L., In ,ntn
standing: Kerr, 90; Randall, GG, and Cox,
December, and his rulings while in the'chair
were such as to gain the respect Of even his
bitterest political enemies.
THE CHAIR ASSUMED.
In assuming the chair on the 9th OF De-
cember, Mr.. Kerr said
Gentlemen Of the House OF Representa-
tiyes,-I am truly grateful for the honor
YOU have conferred in calling me to this eX-
allied station. 1 profoundly appreciate the
Importance. and delicacy of its duties.
shall doubtless many times need your pa
tient indulgence. pray that you will grant
it, and with nothing but kindly feelings to-
wards every member Of the House., pro-
mise that in all my official acts will dvest
myself to the utmost OF my ability OF all per-
sonal bias and observe complete fairness and
impartiality to all and towards all the great
and diversified interests OF OH country re-
presented in this House.
4 MERITED TRIBUTE. .-
On August the 10th, as the House was
about to adjourn sine die, General Banks,
addressing the Speaker pro ten., said: Mr..
Sneaker, at the close Of this unusually long
and laborious session it will occur to every
member of the House that there are many
causes OF congratrlation for the good for
tune that has attended lis and the degree OF
health that has accompanied us in our labors.
But we cannot at this moment of partng
forget that from the very moment OF
the organization OF the House one OF
its most beloved and honored men,
bers has been stricken with disease. and
though elevated to that high trust, the posi-
ton which you at this moment in his abb
sence occupy, trust which the most dis
tinguished men of the country have es-
teemed it an honor to discharge, has been,
at first in our presence, and since parting
from us, still failing i'll health until we. are
led sorrowfully to fear that his brilliant and
honorable career is near-too near It's close.
The honorable gentleman from New York
(NIr. Cox, the chairman OF the Committee
on Banking and Currency, has placed IN my
hand q telegram dated at Rock Alum,
at SAG O'Clock this afternoon, which bears
the signature OF the absent Speaker OF the
House, which I will read: 49,.
"Hon, S. S. Cox: My condition is very
critical: no change since morning 1880
'stM. G. KERR
Sir. + am sure it will be the unanimous
desire and a source of poignant regret ii 1T
,l,o,,ld no omitted NJ all the members OF this