Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-02-17
EIFER-BOYNTO
The E~x-Speaker, When Brought Before
the Committee of Investigation
to Prove His
Charges Against Gen. BOynton. Tries to
Sneak Out of the Matter BY
Asking Further Time,
Thereby Confessing the Weakness Of
His Casa Manly Challenge,
Which Was Not Accepted.

WASHINGTON, February 16.-The COM
mittee appointed to investigate the charges
against Ii. V. Boynton, Washington CORE
spondent CT tile Cincinnati Commercial Ga
zette, by Representative Keller, began its
sittings to-day. All the members of the
committee, consisting of Messrs. Hopkins
PA, Ward lind. !, Adams n. ", Poland
[Vt.l and Wilson [Ia.] were present.
While waiting for Keller, the question
was asked as to whether either parties de-
sired to be represented by counsel, and
| Gen. Boynton stated that he desired the
committee to conduct the examination,
but be would like the privilege of cross.
examining Gen. Keifer, if that gentleman
should, under oath, repeat the charges
made against him.
Mr.. Keifer said, in response to a aues
| ton from the chairman, that Mr.. j. Cole
man would speak for him as counsel. II
: was very obvious to every member that
| he had committee and other work to at.
tend to, and could not give his personal
attention to this investigation.
Mr.. Coleman then said it was necessary
that it should be proved that Gen. Keller
had made charges against Gen. Boynton,
There was nothing in the resolution " hich
brought the charges before the committee.
| When it was proved that charges had
4 DGcH PI1Nlty Tx NSA. bCllCl NOulu NC Ill
a position TO prove the truth of the
1 charges. The committee, however, was
unanimously of the opinion that mas.
much as Gen. Keller had preferred
charges, both in the House and in private
letters, they were fully set forth, and
within the jurisdiction of the committee.
Mr.. Coleman said he assumed that in view
of this decision the burden of proof was
on Gen. Keller to s~ubstantiate before the
committee charges made against Boynton.
He was able to prove the facts set forth in
the resolution. In doing SO, however,
there would be involved the taking of a
| great deal of testimony. He wished all
the witnesses here before he proceeded
with the case. He had witnesses in New
| York, New Jersey and Ohio who could not
be brought here to-day.
Mr.. Adams suggested that at the inter-
view when this supposed attempt to bride
Keifer was made there was nobody pres
ent except Keller and Boynton. What
he wanted to know was how Coleman
could procure witnesses before the com
mittee that could enlighten the committee
and country in regard to the alleged con
versation.
Mr.. Coleman replied that he might
prove that Gen. Boynton had said to
| others that he had made statements to
| Gen. Keller.
Mr.. Adams inquired whether it would
not be more regular TO prove the state,
ment first.
Mr.. Coleman said he had a telegram
from a witness in Ohio which stated that
he could not come owing to the illness of
his wife, but he expected to be here next
week. He Coleman believed Il the com
mittee would fix a future day, say from 10
to 3 o'clock, that Keifer could put in all
1 -. n-~- = 1900
| sick in bed, and another in New York
would not come except under subpoena.
Gen. Boynton, with the permission of
the committee, expressed great surprise at
the request made by the other side in
view of the fact that the charges made
against him had been before the country
in every daily newspaper for four weeks
He was not a lawyer and had no lawyer
present to represent him, He depended
entirely upon the members of the com
mittee. If the gentleman turning to
Keife) was not able and ready to go on
and prove, as he said, the charges against
him. he (Boynton) was entirely ready, il
he could have al opportunity to cross.
examine Keller under oath, to go IN and
reverse all ordinary suits at law and prove
himself innocent of these charges by test.
mony which he thought would be &C.
copied, not only by the members OF the
Committee but by the country. He would
be able to do that before the sun went
down, He thought it only just to him
that the gentleman who made the charges
should stand here like a man and answer
under his oath in regard to those charges,
and not stink behind any technicalities.
Let parties to this case face the charges
and answer for themselves, under the
pains and penalties of perjury. He was
very anxious to have the case go on. He
had a few witnesses, but they we're here,
and after long delay from the day the
| House ordered the investigation, il
| seemed to him there was no excuse what
ever for anyone making such grave
charges not to be able to answer before
the committee.
Mr.. Coleman said Keller would swear
to all he had charged and prove it to the
satisfaction OF the committee.
Mr.. Keller said he did not suppose his
duty extended very far, but the commit
tees duty a great way. He was not called
upon to abandon all his proper duties on
the floor and in committee to pursue this
investigation, as though he were pursuing
Gen. Boynton with vengeance. He had
no answer to what Gen. Boynton had said
He had 10 buncombe to put in-nothing
that way. He had not had time to make
| hSBolaiiOA " bhAo lNSoNiSoNlOAA ~
could not very well be examined now, as
there were certain matters connected with
this case which were out OF his reach.
Chairman Hopkins said Gen. Keller had
a knowledge of the same facts being on
Investigation, and was present. He could
see no reason for postponement.
Mr.. Boynton thought that as Keller was
the Il who had full knowledge of all the
facts, or alleged facts, in regard to this
matter, if he would appear and be sworn
and state his case under oath an investi.
CATION could be reached. With knowledge
alleged to be in possession of the commit
tee, Gen. Keller could certainly not plead
that he was not ready to make his state
ment OF the case as he understood it, and
he would not decline to make it under
oath.
Coleman read a telegram from a witness
in New Jersey. He would not show his
hand by giving tie name to to the other
side, stating that his wife was sick, but il
necessary for Gen. Keifer's personal vim
dication he would come to Washington
Monday.
After some further talk, it was decided
to adjourn the case till Wednesday next.