The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-21
THE KIMPToN REoUIsITIOM
Was the Ex-Aaent Ever Promised Immunity '
An Imposing Array of Counsel.

Boston, Aug. 20-The Attorney-G General
OF Massachusetts, gave first hearing to-day
in the case Of Hiram II. Kimpton. for whom a
requisition has been issued by tho authorities
OF South Carolina. The complaint upon which
the requisiton is based contains three counts,
which charge him with fraudulent practices
while acting as financial agent Of that State.
The State OF South Carolina is represented by
District Attorney Leonard OF Springfield. Attor-
ney-Genoral Youmans Of South Carolina. II. b.
Tunstall OF New York. J. q. Abbott and +. Low
ering OF Boston. Kimpton's attorneys are ID.
H. Chamberlain, Ex-Governor OF South Caro-
lima. M. p. Knowlton. Dunbar Ely. and Hol-
land. Hyde Dickinson. Judge Abbott and
Mr. Tunstall submitted certain papers bearing
upon the construction Of the law under which
the case Is to be heard and. with the presenta.
ton OF these papers. the prosecution rested
their case.
The defence was opened by Mr.. Dickinson.
He said this requisition appeared very much
like an attempt on the part OF the authorities 81
South Carolina to compel the authorities OF
Massachusetts to aid them in getting rid Of
some OF their financial obligations The ores
ence Of kimpton in South Carolina was re-
auircd. not TO punish him, but to put him N
such n position rs to compel him to aid South
Carolina to rid herself OF her obligations by re-
pudintlng some Of her State debts. The pres
fence Of cases now pending before the Court Of
Claims. The questions to pass upon. under the
order sent by the Executive were. first. Is
rendition Of the prisoners and. second whether
1t is expedient for the Governor to issue his
wnrrant2" An agreement was made with MN
that he should be exempt from indictment for
fifteen days II no would go to South Carolina
and give Information
Hiram II. Kimptun was called and handed n
paper, which he identified as having been
handed to him by Henry A., Mitts IN the St
Nicholas Hotel on July H.. Thomas :; Cayen-
dor. member Of the bnr in South Carolina.
was present, He was clerk for the coun-
sci OF South Carolina. About the 10th
OF July witness met them and had g
SUITE He had agreed TO give testimony IN the
bond suits II he could have immunity from
prosecution, When the paper was shown the
Witness; Mitts said he had authority from the
Mitts returned TO South CAROLINA. and Cav
cndcr remained in New York. lAgree-
ment was reed.l During the succeed
| New York. Thomas F. Lavender was in Now
| York during that time. and witness saw him
| daily. and conferred with him concerning the
| suits now pending before the Court OF Claims
| parties to whom tho bonds had been hypothe-
| Gated and he wrote to the counsel Of South Car
| olina stating what the witness could testify u
| In case he should 20. 10, South Carolina
| torncy-General Youmans and others instruct
ing him to offer immunity TO kimpten. was read
On the LIST Of August telegram was received
by Lavender who was instructed TO see Kimp-
ton. and II he did not decide TO 20 TO South
| Carolina, to return with Harker. He left New
| York on Aug. 2. On the evening OF the Sth day
| after his arrest witness received n letter IRON
| Mitts stating that IL he did not comply with the
request Of Gov. Hampton, all immunity from
| prosecution would be at an end. He subse
| puently received n letter informing him thai
| his arrest was not in consequence OF his re-
| fusal to accept the proposition OF counsel for
| South Carolina