Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-16
KEEFER AND ROYNTON.
HE investigation Postponed at the
Request Of the cx.Speaker and in Or.
position to Gen. BoyntOrl,s Wishes.

The investigation Of the charges made against
Gen. H. V. Boynton, Washington correspondent of
the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, by eX-Speaker
keifer began this morning. The committee APP
pointed to conduct the igatiOn-Siessrs Hop
k1ns, chairman; Ward, Adams, Poland and Wilson
met In the committee room of the House committee
on post offices and post roads. After calling the
committee to order Mr.. Hopkins read a copy OF a
letter Of notification he had sent to Mr. Keifer, and
the committee decided that Mr.. Keller should be
given chance to present proof in support OF his
charges, after which Gen Boynton should be heard.
Mr. keifcr appeared shortly after the committee
met and said that Mr. Coleman (who was Mr.. HlS
counsel during the Investigation in the architects
once OF the Treasury would represent him, and
that all statements would be made through him.
THE CURIOUS GROUND TAKEN BY MIR. KEIFER's COUN-
Sci.
Mr.. Coleman took the ground that there was no
evidence before the committee that Mr. Keifer had
made any charges, and demanded that this fact be
proven before further testimony should be taken
The chair held that the resolution of the House
authorizing the investigation was proof enough OF
the charges; and besides this there the state
ment OF Mr.. Keifer on the floor OF the House and
before the House committee on accounts, which
had been published and were well known.
Mr.. Coleman then said that the committee had
no authority to hold mr. Keller responsible responsible Tor for
what he had said upon the floor. Such action, he
said, would be unconstitutional.
The committee held that while no legal tribunal
could hold Mr.: keifer responsible for a statement
made on the floor OF the House. he could be held
acCouHIaDle Dy the House through Its committee -
MR. KEIFER WANTS A PosTPONEMENT.
Mr.. Coleman then asked for pOstponement for a
week to secure witnesses.
The committee opposed such postponement, and
Mt Adams suggested that, as Mr.. Keifer, the prin-
clpal prosecuting witness, was present. and as the
most important charge, which was that Gen. BOyn-
Ton nad corruplly approached Mr.. keifer, waS
cOrdlng to MI. keiferS statement susceptible OF no
proof except his, tMr. keifers,) his examination
should proceed at once
Mr.. keifer, through his counsel, still contended
for postponement, claiming that 1t was unfair to
force the matter upon him.
GEN. BOYNTON SURPRISED
Gen. Boynton, who had remained silent up to this
time, asked permission to speak, and said that he
was surprised at the request OF a. postponement
coming from Mr.. kefer, and thought 1t was an in
justice to him not to give him an opportunity to
answer promptly the charges WHICH had been pub
l1cly made and sent broadcast through the cOlln-
Try He said that II the other side not ready to
sustain their charges he was willing to reverse the
order OF all such precedence and present testimony
Tor his complete vindicatiOn, now and at once. He
was ready with his witnesses.
THE DIGNITY OF THE HOUSE AT STAKE.
MI. Hopkins said that the dignity of the House
was at stake, and the matter should be Investigated
at once. He thought If the charges against Mr.
Boynton were true, he should not be allowed to sit
IN the press gallery moment.
Mr. Coleman still cOntended for pOStpOnempnt
and SaM that If the charges had been made public
IL was Gen. BoyntOn's fault, as nothing would have
made 1t public: Mr. Keifer would not have said
anything about 1t.
After long discussion, during which Mr.. Keifer
ana his counsel pressed for a pOstpOnement, and
the committee and Gen. BOyntOn urged the neces-
slty or prompt action, the committee adjourned
until 10 O'Clock next Wednesday morning, with the
understanding that they should ask permission OF
the House TO sit during the session and summon