The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-30
The Payment Of Four Hundred aud Fifty
Dollan to Mr.. Kerr Positively Sworn To.
The Statement as Positively Denied BY
the Speaker.
DETAILS or The ALLEGED ARRANGEMENT.
Testimony Of the Witnesses Green and Harvey
Before the Committee

WASHINGTON, May 20 1876.
profound and painful sensation has been created
here this evening by the testimony OF the witness
Harvey before the Clymer Investigating Committee.
The Blaine scandal and the Beknap trial are for the
time being in the shade by the assertion Of Har
ncy that he paid Speaker Kerr $3.50 cash for the
appointment OF his friend Greene to iieuten-
antcy In the regular army. The matter was
talked over BY groups OF Congressman scattered
about the floor of the House. the moment
the committee got back from their room, and the
pending bill under discussion forgotten the ex
element which the created The Senators even
paused in their debate Jurisdiction the
and comment upon it
THE SCENE
the committee room was most impressive ono.
rho little chamber. with its two windows and door.
ras crowded almost to sufocaon, the committee hav-
ng decided to make the session public Mr. Clymcr
presided At his right hand sat Mr. Kerr, 1T the
light Of Mr.. Kerr his counsel, lawyer OF Washington
named r. X. Elliot Behind Mr.. Kerr were his son
and Messra Morrison, Springer, Lord and Hereford
THE WITNESS
seated al the left OF tho chairman. He was
In One black diagonal cloth and new linen and wore
The prevailing style oil collar with turned down points
he appears to be- he testified about forty years o.
age and is heavy set man tending to corpulency and
weighs probably 200 pounds He has dark har black
noustachc and otherwise smoothly shaven fat square
ace He spoke with faint suggestion Of the Celtic
accent and selfpossessed throughout the long
examination, except whom, for q few moments
be was slightly fustercd by the rigorous
quessoning ofMr Kerr's counsel But no quickly re-.
gained his equanmity each time and the Celtic wit
manifested itself whom he turned the laugh against the
lawyer. This laugh was, however, Of seldom occur
renee for the whole business solemply serious II
could not be otherwise considering tho spectacle pre-
scented to the absorbed crowd OF listeners However
PREPosTERoUs THE CHARGE
may be- In view Of the spotlcss career OF Mr. Kerr there
was something awful In the thought that forced itself
upon the spectator that either honorcd statesman
had possibly fallen that his Willy was sitting
before him perjurIng himself most wickedly. And
this thought intensified when Harvey, under the
pressure OF sneer from the cross-examining lawyer
at time raised his hand and his eyes toward the
ceiling and invoked heaven aresh to witness that no
was telling the truth In way the scene recalled
thc Beecher trial. when witnesses of average and &C
eeptcd veracty swore direct contradiction Of each
other. The direct examination Of Harvey occupied
hardly half hour, but the cross-examinaton lasted
m hour and half At its close Mr. Kerr asked to be-
hoard In denial and having taken the OATH asserted
MS UTTER IGSoRAScE
Of the man ana Innocence OF any corrupt
with him. 10 deferred to future day any heightened
statement. He was not strong enough to make any
more extended remarks to-day, and, supported by his
friends, he left tho committee room. II was feared
that the shock would prove too much for Mr. Kerr's
shattered health and that relapse would be the
sequence, but to- night he quite well and cheerful
1t his in Wizards, and received the continued
congratulations Of his friends with the that
he should expose the viany OF this infamous attack
upon his good name.
COMMITTEE.
The following are the material points givcn by
Augustus P. Greene before the House Committee on
Expenditures in the War Department In private
session last Saturday, from which the injunction o,
secrecy was removed to-day. This testimony is hero
inserted preliminary the testimony OF Lawrence
Harvey
TESTIMONY GREENE.
Greene said he was forty-eignt years Of age native
and resident Of New York city; had no occupation at
present. but had ,income sufficient to sustain him
modestly; he was appointed to second neutenancy
In The army In 1886, his commission bearing date OF
July 20 OF that year; he Wash ngton with ref
erenco to his appointment several times between
December, 1865. and the May or Juno following;
be drst made application to Board OF officers
convened Washington for the examination OF appli
cants and forwarded his testimonials to it, but nothing
congressman After going 10 his representative and
learning that the latter had already appointed man.
tho witness came to Washington TO what Be could
do himself aud talked with acquaintance Of his .
Mr. Harvey, who was at that time assistant door,
keeper Of the House Of Representatives Harvey stated
that lie could nomination for consideration
which witness agreed TO-
Q. State fully what that talk WASP A. Well he said
that he could get nomination for q certain amount Of
money.
Q. How much money! A. II was either $500 or
e4oo; could not tell which, Il is 50 long ago; and
agreed to Il and the nomination procured
Q. After that first interview you had with Nj. Har-
ncy, 70 which you have just referred what was
done in reference to carrying out this arrangement
A. agreed TO the proposition and introduced
representative, the Hon. Mr. Kerr; think u was
aide OF the House OF Representatives; was introduced
BY Mr. Harvey, who stated that was tho worthy
young that no had SPOKEN OF that was very dcsir
OF having appointment 10 the army; some con-
vcrsalion took place there and lthink Mr. Kerr said
that ho had time talk to then. but he would
Scc other time, and am not positive but at
The time Of the be invited me TO call At his
house where he could talk with me more fully.
Q. Ord you send In your card, or how was the
Introduction brought about? State exactly how IL
occurred that you mot Nj. Kerr A. was introduced
BY Mr. Harvey
Q. Where was u A. II was outside or the
chamber OF tho House Ny impression is u was just
outside Of tho door on tho left.
Y. Do you know how II happened that Mr. Kerr
went out there! A. Ny impression Is that Mr. Har-
ncy went IN and spoke 10 him. Mr. Harvey was on
duty the time at the door-as near a. can recocct
The witness in his further testimony said he thought
Il after Mr. Kerr received these recommcn daiions
that ne was with him 70 the War Department, and his