Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-17
WASHINGTON.
courisr-Journ.l spsol.I.l


WAsHIxGroS, March l5.-The test.
mony of Colonel Grafton, from whom
General Boynton claimed yesterday to
have derived the facts for his extraordi-
nary charges Of the 7th Of March against
Messrs. Clymer, Robbins and Blackburn,
published in the Cincinnati Gazette aAd
other papers, expressly ~contradicts Gen.
eral Boynton's dispatch of that date, in
several very important particulars. Col
onel Grafton stated that he had not in
his talk with Boynton reflected upon
Messrs. Robbins and Blackburn at all,
and had not even talked about them.
He denied, further, that he had told
General Boynton that Mr.. Clymer bad
travelled in Europe with Mrs. Marsh, Mrs.
Bowers, Mrs. Belknap, and the Hon:
George II. Pendlston, or that he had
stated that the whole party thus became
we'll acquainted With the facts embraced
in the dispatch. Finally, Colonel Graf
ton denied that be had ever told General
Boynton that Mr.. Clymer had refused to
investigate the charges against Pendle-
ton. The effect of this testimony is to
break down nearly the whole Of this
sweeping indictment Of the committee,
and il is supposed that when Kiddoo tes-
tiles tomorrow that the whole will be a
repetition of the story of three black
crows telegraphed all over the country to
the press, so as to break down the COM
mittee which had exposed Belknap.
Mr.. Blackburn called up in this com
mittee to-day his resolution providing
that when any action is taken in the
committee it shall be held to be the act
of the whole, unless seine member OF the
committee shall enter his dissent at the
time. This resolution was expressly
aimed at Mr.. Bass, who, keeping silent
when Mr.. Marsh was discharged, had the
meanness to come into the House and
there attempt to create the impression
that he was not a party to it. The three
Democrats voted for this resolution, and
the two Republican members voted
against. Bass was cut to the quick,
knowing that the motive Of the resolu-
ton was his not behaving like q gentle
man, and Q sharp colloquy occurred be-
tween him and Mr.. Blackburn, who
hardly took pains to vail his contempt
for his Republican associate.
SPEAKER KERR AND GENERAL BOYEToS.
Another positive statement Of General
Boynton is that Speaker Kerr had for q
week been most earnest and emphatic
in his declarations against the policy Of
more investigation. Mr.. Kerr author
ized a fiat contradiction of this state
ment as the very reverse of the truth.
He has constantly urged investigation.
BLAINE AND BRIsTow.
Mr.. Blaine has emphatieally denied to
your correspondent the statement pub
lished in a Western paper to the effect
that he had a hand in melting reports
~prejudicial to General BristoW. In the
meantime Mr.. Blaine's enemies, per-
sonal and political. in the Republican
ranks, are very active in spreading re-
ports to his prejudice Of the most malig-
nant and INSCRIPTIONS character.
THE PRESIDENT AID Ne. MARSH.
The relations Of the President to the
impeachment Of Belknap, ard the sim
cerlty OF the President in pretending to
desire his punishment, will be brought
to q test tomorrow. Mr.. Knott has de-
termined to write a letter to the Presi-
dent, stating the importance Of securing
Aarsh's testimony, and urging the Presi-
dent to issue a conditional pardon to
him, If he will give testimony fully,
shenever called on BY Congress or the
courts; but it is not believed that Grant
will do anything of TIE kind.
HALLET KILBoURsE.
1t is generally understood today that
effort is to be made to get Hallet Kill
bourne out OF Jail for his contempt Of
the House in refusing to answer ques-
tons about the real estate pool. The
mode adopted is an application for a
writ of habess corpus. Judge Black has
declined thus far to be counsel for such
application. The Sergeant-at-Arms
will submit to the House the question
whether he is to produce the body Of the
prisoner or not in response 10 the writ.
at the last Congress it was resolved 10
order the Sergeantst-Arms to produce
tie body Of the prisoner in court, but
able lawyers 10 insist that this was
a wrong, and hat according to q Su-
preue Court decision, il it be done, the
prisoner is no longer subject to the CON
troll OF the House. 1t is not believed
that the District Court will venture on
so bold a step as the discharge Of Xii.
bourne, though they are in known sym
psthy with the ring.
Iii reported that Kilbourne is weak
ening. Some persons believe that if be
finally squesls and tells the truth as to
the names there will be q sensation that
Will sfartle everybody. i. 0. W