The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-06-15
FOR7Y-FOURTH CONGRESS.
SPEAKER KERR INDICATED.
THE HOUSE.

THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
KERR'S CASE,
MIR. Clymer, from the Committee on
Expenditures in the War Department
made report in the case of the charge
against Speaker Kerr. The report states,
that, after a full inquiry into the facts,
and after a thorough examination of Law
renee Parney the only witness making
the charge, also Of Augustus P. Green
and divers other persons,it appeared that
in 1866 while member of the House of
Representatives of the 39th congress,
Kerr did, in the exercise Of his right or
privilege nominate Green for an appoint
ment in the regular army.
THE SPEAKER UNANIMOUSLY vINDI-
GATED BY THE COMMITTEE.
The Committee, however, had found
no difficulty in reaching the conclusion
that the charge as to the payment of
money to Kerr was unqualiiedly false,
and that Kerr stood fully eXonerated
from all implication affecting his person
al honor or official integrity The Com
mittee has found nothing in the whole
progress of the investigation to impair or
detract from the well established reputa-
ton Of Mr.. Kerr for his unquestoned per-
sonal int gritty and unsullied purity.
Mr.. Clymer remarked that the con-
clusion reached was unanimous. This
was not the judgment Of the committee,
but Of the House and the country.
A HIGHLY COMPLIMENTARY SPEECH BY
A REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF THE COM
MITTEF,
Mr.. Danford, Republican mem
Der of the Committee said that it afforded
him real pleasure to be able to subscribe
to the report, not because Of the unfor
tunate illness of Kerr but because it was
an act of simple Justice to that gentleman,
He spoke Of the unfortunate circum-
stance which presentcditselfat the thresh-
old of the inquiry as to Kerr, Demo
crat from Indiana, giving the nomination
to Green a Republican from New York
and said that had it not been for that
circumstance the Committee would not
have deemed it worth while to even en-
ter on an investigation. He was happy
to say, however, that he had no idea
that so far as the corruption Of Kerr was
concerned, there was single scintilla OF
truth in Harney's testimony.
A MOTHER MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE
COMPLIMENTS THE SPEAKER.
Mr.. Hurlbut said the reputation Of our
public men is among the best riches of
the country and the man or men who
would unjustly and untruly detract from
the reputation of a public man are not
only stabbing at his life and character but
are doing the most fatal mischief to the
success Of the nation. did not wait for
this report TO make up my mind. With
me the long record Of an honorable life
outweighed all the charges of those loose
defamers, who, these base times, encour-
age to the detracton and scandal oftheir
victim, and arise here only on this oc-
casion to carry out, by my voice and my
vote, the idea that for one, as Represen-
tative ofthis American people, havingbe
fore my eyes the honor of the people and
the honor of the House which is the
honor ofthe people lam glad here to
be able from my heart to say that what
ever shadow this momentary imputaton
might have cast on the days of the dis
tinguished gentleman-the speaker Of
this House days which some Of us fear
are numbered already, it is the unani-
nous voice of this people, through their
representatives that the Aegis ofa long
and honorable life has protected him from
the envenomed shaft Of malice; that the
cloud is removed and that if his sun goes
down, it shall go down in full honor and
in the esteem of all honorable men Of
whateyerparty. Applause on both sides
of the House.
Mr.. Garfield suggested that the vote on
the report should be taken by members
rising.
THE REPORT ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY
ByA RISING VOTE.
The suggestion was adopted and all the
members--2Io in number, rose in the af-
irmative. There were none in the mega
tive.
Mr.. Garfield then asked that it be en-
tered on the record that the report was
adopted unanimously.
The Speaker pro tenn directed the Clerk
to let it be recorded on the record as the
unanimous vote ofthe House
Mr.. Leavenworth suggested as highly
proper that the House should furnish to
Kerr, in the most formal manner, certi
fed copy of the proceedings on this oc-
casion, and he made motion to that
effect.
The motion was agreed to and the Clerk
was instructed accordingly.
A LETTER REAT REQUESTING CONGRESS
TO INVITE LAFAYETTE'S GRANDSON TO
VISIT THE COUNTRY.
The Speaker pro tenn laid before the
House the following letter which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Centennial:
New YORK, Juneo. 1876.
My Dear sir-Half century ago, Cen
eral Lafayette revisited America and as
a guest of the nation made triumphal
tour through the states. AS pou know by
reading and by Tradition, the effective
enthusiasm and gratitude awakened by
that visit has no parallel in the Worlds
history, Would it not be equally appro-
pirate and wise half century after this
visit OF his grandfather, to invite Oscar
Lafayette as the guest Of the nation to at
tend the Centennial Anniversary Of our
independence. Our committee has de-
cided to invite M. Lafayette, but it oc-
ours to me that Congress might think
proper to give broader and deeper eff
feet to patriotic idea.
Very truly yours.
THURLow WEED.
To Hon S. S. Cox.
The House then adjourned.
A GUN-BOATAND SIXTEEN OTHER
CREW LOST AT SEA.