New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-05-29
A STARTLING STORY ABOUT Mr.. KERR.
HE Is CHARGED WITH SELLING A COMMISSION l.
THE ARMY FOR 5000.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TEIBUNEl

lBY TELEGRAPH 10 The TEIBUNEI
WASHINGTON, May 2S.-lhe Committee OH
Txpenditures in the War Department BEGAN yesterday
an investigation into the startling accusations Whch
have been made against Speaker Kerr Tne piooecus'
cre held in secret but it is understood thai TIE on!
witness examined was Augustus p Green OF Ne"-lo'h'
The story against My. Kerr is as follows;
Several weeks ago, when charges against Appraiser
william A. Darliu. Of New-York were under inNestsa-
ton by Secretary Bristow, friends OF Mt DARING VINO
believed that the charges originated with the committee
on Expenditures In the War Department informed tua'
gentleman thar they had information which would ST.
lenee the Committee and stop the investigation THIS
information which MI Darling Immediately conveyed
10 his attorneys and subsequently 10 various Govern
uept officials in Now-York was to this eject; Ih"'
Lawrence Harvey, an examiner in the Appraisers De
partment and prot &c Of Dirnss, had been ID 4oOo
aoorkeeper in the House of representatives, ms appoint
mont having been secured through Mr. Daring Speaker
Kerr was then representative from Indiana An act oil
Congress Of that year had authorized the Secretary Of
War 10 appont a number OF officers 20 the regular
nrrv one from each Congressional District on the nom
nation Of the Representative. Among others VINO nc
sred TO be appointed friend OF Harvey named An
eustus F. Green, then living in New-i0A III NJ ia ing
district Nj Darling had, however, made ms n'inlh"-
ton Henry j. Raymond, who also represented New.
York district was then applied TO- bat he, too had
named the person whom he desired should DC appointed
Other NeWYork Representatives were successfully APP
piled TO- but none we're found who would nominate Nv
Green Mr.. Kerr Of Indiana was then @Ipned to' MI
Green being introduced by Assistant Doorkeeper ahcy
and "a Harvey represents, Mr. Kerr withdrew his nom-
nee from his own district and substituted the name Of
Augustus p Green OF NewYork, knowing Inn TO be not
sresdent of his Kerr) district For this service ia-
pey at one time claimed TO have paid MI Ken $500
Iii also stated that although Il was soon discovers"
that the charges against Darling did not originate
with Mr. Clyinefs Committee II was decided by those
who had heard Of this story present IL 20 Mr. Bass, Of
the Committee on Expenditure in the War Depart en
IN order that he might bring 10 before the Committee
M Bass investigated the matter, and finally 5ubpenas
were sent 10 New-York for Mr.. Harvey aud Mr. Green
aud served upon them early last week.
Mt Green immediately responded and appeared before
the Committee as stated He testified hat he lad paid
Harvey 5000 for the introduction 10 Mr Kerr but he
knew nothing Of how the latter had cned the money
Harvey Is sick in NewYork The sergeauta' Arms has
information however that he viii appear for e&alnin
ton on Monday. Tie records Of the War Department
show the appointment OF Green on the recommendation
Of Mr. Kerr, and among the flies Is letter written by
Mr. Kerr asking thai the cOumis> Of Lieut. Green be
forwarded % him al MS Sew-Yorl address. Green was
dismissed from the service lor conduct unbccoming an
officer aud gentleman.
The premature publication Of this scandal was not
made y the Republicans who have been cOgnzant OF the
ac Tor several weeks and who have been accused Of
allow i to find its way into the newspapers. speaker
Kerr, ale refusing TO make any formal statement on
ito s-aJect denies that he ever received the money