The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1876-06-22
HOUSE
MIR. Kerr Justified.

Mfr. Clymer,. of Pennsylvania, from
.bs Committee ON Expenditures in the
War Department, madea report in the
case OF
THE CHARGE AGAINST SPEAKER KERR.
The report states that after full ell
0uiry into the facts and after q thor
.6np6 examination of Lawrence Harvey.
the only witness making the charge,
,Iso of A. P. Green ami divers other
witnesses, it appeared that in 1866,
while member Of the House of Repre-
sentatives of the 39th Congress, Mr.
Kerr did in the exercise of his right or
privilege nominate Green for an ap-
pointment in the regular army, The
Committee. however, had found no
difficulty in reaching the conclusion
that the charge as 10 the payment of
money to Mr.. Kerr was unqua!itiedly
false, and that Mr.. Kerr stood exon
Grated from all implication affecting
his personal honor or official integrity
and unsullied purity.
Mr. Clymer remarked that the CON
cIusiou reached was the unanimous
Judgment, not only Of the committee,
but of the House and the country.
Mr.. DanfOld, of Ohio, republican
member Of the committee, said that it
afforded him real pleasure to be able to
subscribe to the report, not because of
the unfortunate illness of Mr.. Kerr,
hut because it was an act of simple jus
tce to that gentleman. He spoke of
No. NItt,
prpsel ted itself ut the threshold of the
inquiry us to Mr.. Kerr, democrat, from
Indiana, giving the nomination to
Green, republican from New York,
and saiu that had it not been for that
circumstance the committee would not
have deemed it worth while tu even
enter on the investigation he was hap
Ply to say however, that he had no idea
No far us the corruption OF Mr.. Kerr
wis concerned, there was u single scin
tllla Of truth in Harney's testimony. It
was falsehOod taken advantage of by
al bud man for the purpose of attempt
ang to hlNcken the reputation of good
man Applause. .......
De spoke of these Investigations used
by bad men like Harvey as being the
very worst instrument that eau be used
m country like this the testimony of
harney WIS but tie natural outgrowth
Of these Investigations Committees of
the House had been seen this session
MOaslng around and dragging the pub
he life and private correspondence of
citizens into publicity publishing even
the bank accounts of officials without
charges and without specifications.
Mr.. DanFord continued at great
length ana concluded, Z" I aln glad here
to be able from the heart to say that
whatever shadow this momentary inn
pHtaton might have cast on the days
Of the distinguished gentteman-the
speaker of this House-days which
some OF us fear, are numbered already,
II Is the unanimous voice of the peo-
pie, through their repl esentatives, that
the @gis Of lUag and honorable life
mas protected him from the enyenOmed
shaft Of malice that the cloud is re-
moved, and that If his sun goes down,
" shall go down in full honor and in
inc esteem of all honorable men of
Whatever party" Applause on both
sues OF the House.
, Mr., Garfield, Of Ohio. suggested that
She vote on the report should be taken
~ the members rising.
4, 1he suggestion was adopted, and all
1e members, 210 In number, rose in
tue affirmative,
MI Garfield then asked that IL be
entered on the record that the report
"G ., adopted unanimously.
y, Inc Speaker pro tenn directed the
oletS TO let il be recorded on the record
Ssbhe unanimous vote OF the House
" M. Leavenworth republican,, Of
NeW York, suggested as highly proper
9at The House should furnish To MIR.
AeErs in the most formal manner, q
y,Sss!tined copy at the proceedings on
y tIls occasion, and he made q motion 10
S I'M eject. The motion was agreed 10,
ingly. III $50 'S'
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