The state journal., 1884-02-02
KEIFER AND HIS ENEMIES.
THE FIX SPEAKER ASKS FOR AN IN
VESTIGATION
OF His Charges Against III. v. BoyntOn, {
washington Correspondent - Serious
Charges Against Boynton-He Asks
for an Observation-Disclosures of
Boynton and Shaw-&c', &c.

preamble dnU resolution
WHEREAS, The Hon. j. Warren
Keifer member of this House, has
charged II. V. Boynton, Washington
correspondent of the Cincinnati CONNER
ctay Gazette, now holding seat in the
press gallery under the rules Of the House,
with having approached the Speaker of
the House, during the closing days Of the
last session of Congress, with corrupt
propositions, intended to influence his
official action, and
Whereas; This alleged act is in the ma
ture of a gross breach of the privileges
of the House and the charge, if sus-
tanned, would call for the exclusion of
said Ii. Y. BoyntOn from the press gal
lery.
ReSolred, That special committee Of
five members Of this House be appointed
the Speaker, with power TO send for per
sons and papers, and administer Oaths, to
investigate the said charge Of attempted
corruption, and to report the result of
their investigation to the House.
Mr.. Calkins, of Indiana raised the
point of order that the resolution did not
present q question Of privilege inasmuch
as it referred to events occurring in
previous Congress.
Mr.. Hopkins explained that the resolu-
ton affected the privilege Of reporter to
occupy the seat now.
Mr.. Calkins, however, insisted that if
n member of the last Congress was cor
ruptly approached, that was an otfense
against the last House. AT the fist blush,
it seemed to him that this was resolu
ton which should go to a committee.
Mr. Hopkins replied that if the charges
made by Mr. Keifer were true, the person
to whom he referred was unworthy of
the seat which he now occupied.
Mr.. Calkins inquired what right Of this
House had been infringed, or what pre-
rogative had been invaded.
Mr.. Cox, of New York, commended that
the resolution prescribed a question of
privilege. as it affected the safety and in
tegrity of tie House in the personnel Of
the gentlemen who occupied the press
gallery.
The Speaker said that it was somewhat
difficult to determine whether the Iesolu
ton presented a question Of privilege
under the rules of the House. The resO-
ing the gallery of the House, by permits
sion of the House, had made improper
propositions to member, not during the
present session, but during the last ses-
sion. OF course it was we'll known that
no person could occupy seat in that
gallery without first signing pledge that
he was not interested in any legislation
pending before the House. 1t seemed to
the Speaker that if there was any person
who had at any time, in violation of that
pledge, made improper advances to a
member, it was not only the right, but
the duty of the House to investigate the
matter, for the purpose of protecting the
integrity of its proceedings. He there
fore held that the resolution involved
question of privilege, but would be glad
of the judgment of the House upon it.
Mr.. Calkins, however, declined to APP
peal, and as Mr.. Keifer rose to speak to
the resolution. there was good deal of
interest and excitement manifested
Mr.. Keifer said he was at liberty at
least to infer from what he knew that this
resolution was offered in consequence Of a
statement that he made with regard to
II. V. Boynton He would send to the
Clerks desk to have read statement
that he had made TO Mr.. BOynton in
letter in response to a scurrilous letter of
his
The Clerk then read letter dated Jan
uarv 90, 1884, addressed by Mr.. Keifcr to
II. Y. Boynton, in which he charges the
correspondent with being engaged with
w. B. Shaw in defaming his character,
and proceeds to accuse him of having
attempted bribery in connection with the
M'Garrahan land claim bill in letter
dated February 81, 1888. This letter was
then sent to the clerks desk and also
read Mr. Keifer then continued his re-
marks, and asserted that BOyntOn, not
receiving an answer, called in person, and
in the course of conversation told Mr.
Keifer that he was fool for not making
money as Speaker as Blaine and COlfaX
had done, and went on to intimate that
there was yet time to do so, as there was
plenty to be made if the NJ Garrahan bill
could be got through. MIR. Keifer went
on to detail the nature of the scheme,
embracing many millions of dollars. He
stated that with that interview all friend
ship and communication ceased between
himself and Boynton. He further stated
that thereafter Boynton and Shaw made
efforts to debase him before the country,
and had boosted of an intention to do so.
In conclusion he said that if the TesO-
luton were to be adopted, he wanted it
to be torn wider open. 1t appeared that
a correspondent who took $4,000 as a
lobbyist was the man who was selected
as great newspaper chieftain to preside
over the body which passed resolutions
to defame him (Keifer) He hoped the
resolution would be opened wide enough
to include William B. Shaw.
Mr.. Keifcr then quoted from the testi-
mony of Charles Albert before the com
mittees to investigate the Pacific Mail
Steamship Subsidy, to the effect that Shaw
received SIS, 900 for his services, etc.
After replying to some questions from
Mr.. Budd acting as Speaker Mr.. Keifer
repeated that he desired to have the mat
ter thoroughly investigated,
Mr.. Hopkins said that in his opinion,
the gentleman from Ohio had made a
strong argument to justify this inveslfga-
ton If what he said was true, there
were men in the gallery unworthy of
seat there. He did not know General
Boynton, even by sight but he asked, in
Justice to that gentleman, that cOmmu
nication from him should be read
Mr.. Brumm, of Pennsylvania, inquired
whether it was communication simply
asking for an investigation, or whether it
cast any reflection on any member OF the
House. If it did cast any reflection, he
should object to it.
Mr.. Hopkins replied that if he were
cogn1zant of any such thing, he would'not
have asked it to be reaG. 1t was COM
munication directed to the Speaker Of the
House.
The Speaker stated that the communi-
cation had been handed him in the morn
ing; that he had looked over it hastily;
that he had handed it back, and that he
that it contained any reflection on any
member of the House.
r. lavl--