Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-06-10
From Washington.

Tie SCllSdlloll vi lliC pslNl Ntth Has bCSH
the investigation into Blaine's bond trans
actions aud the alleged sale of an appoint
mcnt in the army by Kerr. Lawrence
Harvey, ward politician in New York
city, and Inspector of Customs at that
post, testified before the Clymer Commit
tee that in 1866, while holding the APP
pointment of Assistant Door-keepcr of
the House, one A. p. Grcsn of New York
applied to him to assist him in securing
an appointment as I'll Lieutenant in the
army; that he arranged with Kerr to rec
Ommend Green for the position, agreeing
TO pay him $3.50 if he received tho APP
pointment; that Green paid the money to
him (Harney) and he paid it to Kerr.
Green testified substantially to the same
facts so far as his transaction with Har-
ney was concerned, but said he never be,
lieved, nor does he now, that Kerr re.
ceived any of the money.
Following the testimony of Harvey, Mr..
Kerr asked to be sworn and on his oath
denied that there was particle of truth
In it so far as it related to money being
paid him for his influence. Congressman
StrouSe of Pennsylvania, further testified
that Harvey asked him to endorse Green's
application for the appointment, saying
that he (IIarney) could make few hun
dred dollars out of it, which he very much
needed as his salary was so small. Thus
the matter stands, and the impression
seems to be general on all sides that the
charges against the Speaker are the result
of conspiracy to offset the effect of th'
investigations that have been in progress
during the session.
Warren Fisher, Elisha Atkins an(
Joseph Mullgan of Boston, arrived il
Washington last Wednesday, in answer
to summonses from the Judiciary Com
mittee to testify in regard to Blaine!
bond transactions with them. Immedi
ately on their arrival Blaine sought an in
terview. MesSrs. Atkins and Fishe
visited him at his house, but Mulligan de
clined, whereupon Blaine called upol
him at his hotel and attempted converse
ton upon the subject of his proposed ties
timony before the Committee. Mulligal
declined to talk much upon the subjec
until he had testified. lie had in his pos
session lot of letters written by Blain
to Fisher, which it is claimed throw ligh
upon the subject under investigation
these Blaine desired to see, and after oh
tanning them for that purpose refused t.
give them back. The Committee subse
qucntly demanded the letters of Blaine
but he declined to surrender then
or even allow the Committee to rea
them, although he declared that they con
tanned nothing bearing upon the charge
under investigation.
In the House, on Monday, Mr.. Blain
obtained the floor and made very et
fective speech in his own defense. II
charged the Investigating Committe
with conducting their Investigations 70
the especial purpose of breaking hir
down and with purposely suppressing ties
timony, which would cXculpate him fr0r
the charges of corruption. Mr.. Knott
Chairman of the Judiciary Committee
and Mr.. Hunton, Chairman of the sui
Committee, denied the charge of the ex
Speaker concerning the proceedings 9
their committees. Mr.. Blaine proceede
} to read the letters obtained of Mulligar
J or a part of them, which it is concede
prove nothing. Mulligan declares tina
the most important ones were not ready
and so the matter stands.
Speaker Kerr has made an elaborat
: statement concerning the appointment {
Green to the army, explaining how
f happened that he recommended him, an
t reiterating his denial of ever receiyin
money from Harvey. Several witnesst
1 have also sworn that Harvey said If 1
could get the appointment made he coul
) get pay for it.