The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-06-13
Mr.. SPEAKER KERR.
Unanimously, the House Pro-
tectS his Good Name.
Unanimously, the Perjured Villain, Harney
Is Condemned.

WASHINGTON, June II 2-HoUsE-Mr.
Clymer, from the committee on expendi-
lures in the war department, made a re-
port in the case of the charges against
Speaker Kerr, saying the committee found
that there was not a shadow of truth in
the charges. He denounced the testimony
of Harvey. Mr.. Kerr had exercised his
privilege of appointment and the commit
tee fully exonerated him from all corrupt
purpose and found nothing in the evidence
to detract from his we'll established repu-
tation for integrity and purity. This
conclusion of the committee was unani-
nous.
Mr.. Danford, of Ohio, 1.-THE Republican
member) heartily indorsed the report as
simple justice. 1t was only the fact that
Mr. Kerr, an Indiana Democrat. secured the
appointment for New York Republican,
that justified the investigation. He was
happy to say that SO far as Mr.. kerr's cor
ruptiop was concerned, Harney's testin ony
had not a scintilla of truth in it.
Reaf1irming that the evidence was moth
ing, and MIR. Kerr's explanation was en-
inently satisfactory, Mr.. Danford said the
good name of Mr.Kerr,which he had borne
without reprcach for many sessions of the
house, was the greatest circumstance in
the testimony. He would be 10th to be-
leve such thing of such man. He
hoped the vote on the report would be a
unanimous one, without a dissent in voice
or heart, and that every gentleman on the
floor who knew the speaker CT the house,
as they all knew him and should know
him, would join in wiping out this attempt
ed stain on his reputation and on his char
acter, and they would by their action to-
day enable Mr.. Kerr to present to bis
countrymen an evidence that his name
was as white to-day as it had been before
the breath of scandal had touched it. l,
was the duty of the house to Mr.. Kerr. as
a good aud upright man, to adopt the re
port of the committee without a dissenting
voice, so that he might be in future, a:
he had been in the past, an honor to biz
country, tower of strength to his col
leagues, a comfort and consolation to his
wife and children.
Mr.. Hurlbut, (Republican) of Illinois
said the reputation of our public men il
among the riches of the country, and tn,
man or men who would unjustly and un
truly detract from the reputation of
public man was not only stabbing at hi
life and character but was doing the mos
fatal mischief to the success OF the nation
i | did not wait for this report to make VI
3 my mind. With ne the long record 0
honorable life outweighed and outweigh
: all charges of those loose defamers who, i
I these base times, encourage detraction an
! scandal, and | only arise here on thi
D occasion to carry out by my voice and N
vote the idea that for one, as representa-
= tive of this American people, having be
: fore my eyes the honor OF the people, tn
It honor of this house which is the honor {
the people. am glad here to be able frol
my heart to say that whatever shade
= this momentary imputation might hay
cast on the days of this distinguishe
n gentleman, the speaker of the house, da.
v which some of US fear are numbere
) already, it is the unanimous voice OF th
h people through their representatives th
the aegis of long and honorable life h,
IS protected him from the envenomed sha
ir Of malice; that the cloud is removed, ar
n that if bis sun goes down it shall go dow
N in the full honor and esteem of all homo
ii able men of whatever party. Applau
D. ON both sides.
20 Mr.. Garfield, (Republican) of OH
1T suggested that the vote Cd the repo
should be taken by the members risin
The suggestion was adopted and all t
members-2lO in number-rose in Il
er affirmative, and none in the negative. NJ
it Garfield then asked that it be entered
ne the record that the report was adopt
en unanimously.
of The speaker pro tenn directed the Gle
es to let it be recorded on the record as
ID unanimous vote of the house.
al Mr.. Leavenworth, (Republican) of N
of York, suggested as highly proper that t
a. house should furnish to Mr. Kerr, III t
most formal manner, certified copy
N. the proceedings on this occasion, and
lc. made motion to that effect. The mot
was agreed to and the clerk was instruct
accordingly.