Year: 1876

tions should beget an occasional Hsrney
in the way Of retaliation? He believed
that that man was corrupt, and that such
men as he were the very worst class Of
men that could be found IN the
country. He was happy to say that
after passing through all the testimony
and after hearing the clear statement Of
Mr.. Kerr, who gave to the committee
satisfactory explanation of his appoint.
ment of Green, that he had no appli-
cation from bis own district and that
he had offered the nomination to two per-
sonal friends, who had declined it, &c.
The testimony was clear and conclusive
as 70 the innocence of Mr.. Kerr In the
matter, but there was another
thing that weighed on his Danford's)
mind about all these circumstances.
That was the good name Of Mr.. Kerr, a
name that had been borne without re
proach for many sessions oil the House.
The s.rer 9Th of the political institutions
of the country was in the good and great
men whom they had produced, and he
should be loath 10 believe that any man
occupying the high position which Mr..
Kerr occupied before the country would
be guilty OF such a charge. He hoped
the vote on the report would be n
unanimous one, without dissenting
voice or heart, and that every gentle
man on the floor who knew the Spsaker
of the House, as they all knew him,
would Join in wiping out this attempted
stain on his reputation and on bis car
acter, aud that they would by their ~ ion
to-day enable Mr.. Kerr to present I his
countrymen M evldencee that his hame
WAS as white to-day as it had been
befo.e. 1t was the duty Of the
House To Mr.. Kerr, rs a good
and upright man, to adopt the report OF
the committee without dissenting voice,
so that he might be in the future MS he
had been IT, the past, An honor to his
country, tower OF strengto to his col.
leagues, and comfort and conss.atien TO
his wife and children. [Applause.]


Mr. Hurlbut said the reputation Of our
public men Is among the best riches
of the country, and the man or men
who would unjustly and untruly detrac.
from the reputation of n public msn.
who Was not only stabbing Al his life ani
charac ar, but are doing most fatal mis-
chief /, h" success at the nation. did
not wat rr this report to make up my
mind His long record OF honorable
life outweighed sll charges of those base
defamcrs. who these base times encour
aye TO detraction and sea ial and only
arise here on this occasion TO carry out by
my voice and my vote an idea that
for one rs a representative Of this Amerl-
can people, having before my eyes the
honor OF the people and the honor OF the
House-which is the honor OF the people
| am glad here to b. able 10 say that
whatever shadow this momentary impn.
tstion might have east on the days oil
of these d stinguished sentlemen-speak
ing of this House-days which some Of Us
fear are numbered already, 1t is the
unanimous voice'of this people, through
their representatives, that the aegis OF II
long and honorable life has protected him
from the envenomed shaft of malice
Tha. cloud is removed, and that if s
sun goes down it shall go down in fl
honor. and in the esteem Of all honorable
men of whatever party. Applause on
both sides of the House


Mr.. Garfield suggested that the vote on
the report should be takes by the MEM
bers rising.


The suggestion was adopted, and all
the members 2l0 in number, rose in the
affirmative; none in the negative.


Mr.. Gar0eld then asked that it be en-
tered on the record that the report was
adopted unanimously.


The Speaker pro tenn. directed the clerk
to let it be placed on the record rs the
unanimous vote OF the House.


Mr.. Lesvenworth suggested rs highly
proper that the House should furnish u
Mr.. Kerr, in the most formal manner, 3
certified ,py OF the proceedings on TIM
occasion. and he made a motion TO thai
effect. The motion was agreed to, and
the clerk was instructed accordingly.


The Speaker pro tenn laid before tht
House the following letter which war
referred 10 the Committee on Centennial.


NEW YORK, June 9th, 1876


My DEAR SIR:-Halt q century ag'
Gen. Lafayette revisited America and n
a guest of the nation made triumph al
tour through the States. As y'u
know by reading and by TIA
dition, the effective enthusiasm ant
gratitude awakened by that visit
have no parallel in the worlds hist ry
Would it not be equally appropriate ~ d
wise half a century after the visit oi HI
grandfather, 10 invite Oscar Lafayette a.
a guest of the nation to attend the Cen
tennisl Anniversary Of Independencef
Our committee have decided TO invltF
NJ. Lafayette, but it occurs TO me tha,
Congress might think proper to give
broader and deeper effect TO apatriotic
dea Very truly yours,


lSignedl THukLow WEED.
10 Hon s. s. Cor.


Adjourned