The Portland daily press., 1876-05-30
WASHINGTON.


"
ness refused to testify, and when told that he
would be compelled to do so, he asked for time
to consider the matter By advice of counsel
Kerr said it witness knew anything relating to
him ne was willing he should tell the truth
about it.
Witness-Does Mr., Kerr want me to tell all
know?
Kerr-Yes, want you to tell the truth about
it.
Witness-Then L will tell what know and
will tell the truth about it too.
Witness then said that when Green came to
him he told him that he would make inquiries
and as soon as he could find vacancy he
would let him know in looking over the list
he found vacancy in Kerr's district. He saw
Kerr and told him that he had a friend who
wanted an appointment Kerr said he had
made a nomination but the person had not
qualified, and that if Green could bring salts
factory letters of recommendation from some
of his Democratic friends in New York he
should be appointed Witness told Kerr that
II the appointment was made he should be
paid for 1T. To this Mr.. Kerr returned no ans
wer except to give witness an invitation to call
at his room.
The next evening witness went to Kerr's
room and the matter was talked over Kerr
said the place was worth $500 and witness said
he did not believe Green was able to pay so
required letters, which Kerr said were satisfac-
tory. A few days after witness and Green
went to see Kerr, and the latter said he would
make the appointment. Green then raised
$40 and gave it to witness, who added $40
more. A few days afterwards he met Kerr
coming out of the eastern front of the Capitol.
Kerr inquired if he had got the money yet,
whereupon he pulled roll Of bills out of his
pocket and gave them to Kerr, who put the
money into his pocket. The nomination was
then made Green returned home in few
days and sent witness the additional $40.
10 ha Tbo1a
Bass said he had no further questions to ask
and witness was then turned over to Kerr's
counsel, r. X. Elliott, who cross-examined him
at length, but witness adhered to the story
throughout.
After Harney's testimony, the examination
for to-day being at an end, Speaker Kerr re-
marked that he did not want to retire without
saying few words, and asked to be sworn.
This having been done he said: 81 only want
to remark to-day that deny every material
statement made by this witness affecting my
personal honor and official integrity. That is
ALL If were in sufficient health would make
a statement of the circumstances which led to
this investigation in connection with the anony
nous letter received, but do not feel able to
do so to-day. will further say that conscious
ly never knew this witness in my life, but
do not say nor wish to be understood as saying
that he did not introduce Green to me.
L do not know six. doorkeepers about
this House now though they are sup.
posed to be my political friends. /
never consciously exchanged one mlnute's
that person. l never knew him, and he was
never at my rooms as he has stated, and Of
course never received any money from him
nor from any one else.
Mr.. Crosby, Chief Clerk of the War Depart
ment, produced papers relative to Augustus
Green. The first was descriptive list dated
June II, 1866, and signed by Mr.. Kerr, recon-
mending Green to be appointed second lieuten-
ant in the army, and certifying Green was per-
sonally known to him as person of good
character, and that he believed Green was men
tally, morally and physically qualified tc per-
form the duty of lieutenant in the army
The next paper produced was also dated June
18th, 1876, and was from Nelson Taylor ad
dressed to the War Department, asking the re.
turn of papers he had filed in behalf of Greene
These papers were returned and afterwards
given by Greene to Mr.. Kerr. The third paper
was one filed with the President by Hon. Wyer
Strouse, requesting the appointment of Greene.
The first paper was addressed to the Secretary
Of War by MT. Kerr, dated July 81, 1866 as
follows; s'NWil you have the kindness to send
the commission of Augustus p. Greene to his
address at Madison Avenue, New York City
He was nominated by me-" The fifth was as
follows:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES !
Washington. April IS, 1876.
Gen. E. D. Townsend, Adjutdnt Gen. NV
Dear Sir,-May trouble you to inform me
whether there is now in the army man named
Augustus P. Greene, of the rank of First
Lieutenant, or any higher rank, and if such
person is not in the army, whether he was in
the last fonr or five years, and how he got out.
Your attention will greatly obige me- 1 have
the honor to be very truly yours,
NC. KERR,
The General replied that Aug P. Greene was
q first lieutenant in the 18th artillery and was
dismissed from service by sentence by court
nj Mora II.
the regular army July 20, 1866. He had pre-
viousiy served as an officer of volunteers.
The committee adjourned till Wednesday af-
ternoon at o'clock.
The general belief here among Republicans
as we'll as Democrats is that Harvey has falsi.
ned, and that Kerr never received any money
from him. His manner in testifyipg has
strengthened this belief Several witnesses
will tomorrow contradict him. Tonight Har-
ney, when asked whether he had been scalped,
said ''No, but l have killed the Democratic
party"
The testimony of Augustus P. Green on Sat-
urday given to the press, relates in detail the
story of his obtaining an appointment in the
army in 1866 through Mr.. Kerr, and of his pay.
ment OF $3.50 therefor to Lawrence Harvey
Witness had interviews with Kerr, at which
the latter asked many questions, apparently to
ascertain his capacity for the position, but not
one word ever passed between them about
money. Harvey told witness he paid the mon.
ey to Kerr. Mr.. Kerr's recommendation pro-
cured his appointment without any additional
influence, He was not examined by any board.
he was dismissed the army having made All
unfortunate step, and was sgobbled up like a
meat worm by mocking bird whe it is hun
CRY. Witness three years after his appoint.
ment stopped at New Albany to pay his re-
spects to Kerr, which he would not have done
which he twitness) paid to Harvey. He did
not then believe and does not now believe that
Kerr received this money.
The Venezuelan Award.
NE President has transmitted, in answer to
RESOLUTION CT the Senate, a statement of the
amount OF money IN the custody of the De-
partment OF State to the credit of the awards
OF the Mixed Commission under the treaty be-
tween the United States and Venezuela, of the
18th of April. 1866. The total amount receiv-
ed from the Venezuelan government up to date
is $110, 206. The Secretary Of State has given
public notice that he will distribute per cent.
of the sum awarded to the holders of the Ger.
tifcates.
Bribery in the Hawaiian Treaty Matter.
The Ways and Means Committee commenc-
ed the examination of charges of bribery in
connection with the passage of the Hawaiian
treaty bill. The correspondent of the Balti-
more Gazette testified that Sam Ward, Uestibuh
req told him. that money had been used, and
that the same statements had been substantial
y hiouo ny IuCsoiS. hOfrlSUu anu heIiey IN
their speeches in the House in opposition to the
treaty. 1t happens that Messrs. Morrison and
Kelley are both members of the committee con-
Quoting the investigation.
The Senate Takes Jurisdiction.
The Senate this evening, by vote of 81 NAYS
to 20 yeas, rejected the resolution of Mr. Pad.
dock that VIM. W. Belknap having ceased to
be civil officer of the United States by reason
of his resignation befare the proceedings in i'm
peachment were commenced against him by
the House of Representatives, the Senate can
not take jurisdiction in this case' 1t was
then decided by the same vote that said Bel.
KNAPP is amenable to trial by impeachment for
acts done as Secretary of War notwithstanding
his resignation, and it was ordered that the re-
spondent and managers on the part of the
House of Representatives appear on Thursday
next at o'clock to hear the judgment of the
Senate.
Retirement of Legal Tenders.
The Secretary of the Treasury has directed
the retirement of $404, 208 of legal tenders, that
being so per cent of the national bank circula-
ton issued during the present month. This
leaves the outstanding greenback circulation