, 1876-08-20

The Hon. III. q. Kerr, Speaker OF the
House of Representatives, died at Alum
Springs, Va, at an early hour last evoniug.
MICHAEL c. KERR Was comparatively new
man in American politics. His public life
has not been conspicuous one. He was
born in Titusville, Penn, March Is, 1927,
and he Was something over 49 years of age
He had an ordinary school education, greatly
amplifed by subsequent study. Was ad-
n1itted to the Bar in Kentucky, and settled in
New Albany, Ind. His first official life was
a two-years' term in the Indians Legislature,
beginning in 1856. During the War he
served as Reporter of the Supreme Court Of
the State, being appointed to fill & vacancy.
1t was not until 1864 that he was heard Of
in national politics, when he was elected to
Congress, his term beginning in 1866. He
was elected again in 1866, 1865, and 1870.
In 1879 he was nominated as candidate for
Congressman-at Large, and was beaten by
less than 200 votes by the Hon, G. S. Ortiz,
late Minister to the Court of Vienna.
During the later years of his serv-
ice he served on the Committee of
Ways and Means- In 1874 he was
nominated for Congress by the Democrats
of his district. The State Democratic Con-
vcntion adopted platform demanding
the payment of the national debt
in greenbacks, and in favor of an
increased issue of greenbacks. h1r. KERR
disclai1ned all responsibility for the platform,
and avowed his purpose to vote for specie
payments and hard money, and against in-
tiation. The District was Democratic one,
and the Grnngers, and the imitation Demo-
Gratis, and the Republicans united in support
Of a Democrat in opposition to KERR. Dur
ing the long campaign KERR refused to sur
render his hard-money principles, and was
elected. His brilliant conduct in this CAM
paign, his ability, and especially his courage
in opposing all paper-noney schemes, gave
him national reputation. He had, however,
during his service in Congress, won an hon.
orable standing for personal integrity and
personal purity. At the meeting Of the pres
ent Congress, Notwithstanding the inf1ation-
lists were in majority of his party, he was
nominated and elected Speaker. In no in
@s'aAAs~ ""&' eAA<' AotA% "a q ts1AA
reputation for personal integrity more con-
splcuously shown. It enabled him to tri-
umph over the adverse politics of his own
party. Hardly had he been elected before
he was rrostratcd with il'uess. At times he
has apparently regained a portion of his
strength, but his service as Speaker has been
only at intervals. He has enjoyed the per-
sonal respect, confidence. and sympathy Of
the members of the House of all parties.
Within few weeks he was accused by man
named HARVEY with having accepted $3.50,
IN 1scG. for obtaining the appointment of q
man named Green to Lieutenancy in the
army. From the nature of the charge. it
rested largely on the affirmation of HARSEY.
against which there was nothing direct. e1-
cept Mr.. KERa's personal denial Of ever hav-
ing asked for or received that OF any other
sum Of money. After the first surprise and
shock, public opinion and the opinion of the
House seem to have settled down to an
unanimous acquittal of A1r. KERR. and
a repu-t to that effect was adopted By
the Committee investigating the charge.
In his private life the late Speaker was
greatly respected Els own neiEhbors and