St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-07
KEIFER CONFESSES.
Interesting Testimony in the Keifer-
BOyntOn Investigation.
His Main Witness, Elder, Proven to be a
Convicted Forger and Keeper Of
House Of ul-Fame.
The Defense Closes, at Which Ex-speaker
Keifer Must be Greatly Pleased.

Washington, testified to the general bad rep
utation of J. W. Elder in this CITY. He
wouldn't believe him under oath. Repre-
sentative Jordan OF the Second congresson-
al district of Ohio testified 10 the good reputa-
ton of Gen. Boynton. Edgar NJ johnson,
a lawyer of Cincinnati, was called In ans
wer to a question as to Boynton's reputation
for integrity and honor he said with empha-
sis it was especially good.
Central Rosecrans had known Gen. Boyn-
ton twenty years, and had never heard his
integrity impeached in the slightest degree
until he heard Gen. Keifer's speech on the
floor of the house.
Mr.. Ramsey offered in evidence tran
script of the record of the court of general
sessions, New York, showing the arrest and
imprisonment in the tombs of l. W. Elder,
for obtaining money by personating w. G..
Elder New York detective.
General Keifer was placed upon the stand
and examined by Ramsey.
Sat whose solicitation did you, Gen.
Keifer, write letter to the department of
Justice in behalf Eldcr!'' asked Ramsey.
II do not remember at whose solicitation ;"
replied Keifer.
Ramsey then asked if witness had not paid
Elders board bill at the United States hotel
no" replied the witness.
''Did you advance any money for this
purpose!' asked the counsel.
The reply was again in the negative, the an
swer being qualified to a denial of any direct
knowledge of a board bill, and on being
further questioned witness acknowledged he
furnished $50 or $40 Ia his counsel to be used
for the benefit of Elder. We heard Elder
was sick, and this money went to pay his
board.
Glider was not i'll at that time, was he?'
asked Ramsey.
Witness said he knew nothing about that,
or something to that effect.
Representative Follett, of the First con-
gressional district Of Ohio, Senator Hawley,
of Connecticut, Representative Heith. and
others, testified strongly in support of Gener-
al Boynton's good character. Mr. Ramsey
again offeredin evidence that portion of the
testimony taken by the Kellogg Spofford
committee, which contains the cross exam
ination OF Elder. His purpose, he explained,
was to show the improbability of Boynton' IS
holding such conversation as it was alleged
he had with Elder, with such man as this
testimony proved Elder to be- The commit
tee declined to receive the evidence.
To the next Witness, E. j. Works, New
York, it was mystery why he had been
summoned here. He knew nothing what
ever about this case. This witness was sub
penaed by Keifer, but called to the stand by
Boynton.
Charles s. Garfield was recalled and cross
examined by Ramsey, and after close ques-
tioning the witness admitted he was arrested
in DeKalb county, Ind, in 1878 or 1880. He
was indicted for burglary. The case was
nolle pressed and he was innocent of the
charge.
Z. Bedding, proprietor of the United States
hotel, WIS next placed upon the stand. He
said Elder had boarded with him for some
time, and witness held bond as collateral.
He said Elder owed him board bill of over
500, and that a few days ago man came to
his hotel and handed the clerk $40 in pay
ment of Elders board, and left
Immediately without waiting for a
receipt. He would not know the
man if he saw him again. He acknowledged
he expected some one to come there and pay
the bill. He could not say whether or not
Elder had told him that Keifer would settle
the bill, but thought Keifer's name was men
toned in that connection. Elder had said
something about expecting money for wit
ness fees.
Coleman then went voluntarily on the
stand, and made statement in regard to
the payment of money to Elder. He said,
when preparing the case, he wished to know
whether Garfield remembered the converse
ton between Boynton to Elder, and he sent
Elder to Cleveland to see Garfield. He gave
Elder $50 to pay his expenses, but when he
returned he told him he had paid out more
than $50 in expenses, and that his landlord
was very pressing. Elder said $40 would be
enough, and Coleman had sent that sum to
the clerk of the United States hotel.
Ben Prescott, messenger of the senate,
knew Elder, and his reputation for truth and
veracity were not good at ALL Brewster
Cameron, general agent of the department
of justice was called. He produced and in
Identified letter from the files of the depart
ment The letter was read as follows: House
of Representatives, U. S., Washington, D. c.,
Jan. 10, 1884. Hon. Benjamin H. Brewster,
Attorney General, My Dear Sir: l am well ac-
quainted with John W. Elder, who will pre-
sent this letter to you. wish to say for him,
that he is reliable in all respects, and / ask of
you as a personal favor to give him hearing
| don't know what it is, but assure you that
he does not wish to impose on you in any
way. Yours with high esteem, j. Warren
Keifer.
Ramsey said he wanted to prove by this
witness that the matter which Elder wanted
an interview with the attorney general about
was connected with the star route, that he
wanted to be employed by the department
ostensibly in the prosecution of the star route
investigations, but in reality for the purpose
of operating against the government and in
the interests of those implicated in the fraud.
The chairman of the committee decided that
this testimony would be better suited for
Springer's committee, and ruled it out.
Cameron said the department was under the
impression that Keifer had written this let
ter at the instance of Kellogg, but this was
denied by Keifer, who said eX-Rep-
Amos Townsend, of Cleveland,
O., requested him to write the letter. After it
had been decided not to do anything for Elder,
witness met Keifer, and called his attention
to the fact that Elders reputation had been
shown not to be good, whereupon Keller
said he thought the department was able to
take care of itself. Witness told Keifer that
Elder was said to have kept house of prosti-
tuition. Witness also told Keifer that Elder
claimed to have managed Keifer's canvass
for the speakership and that Keifer was there
fore under obligations to Elder. Gen. Keifer
said that was false. Ramsey said to the
chairman, 'that is all, the defense has
closed" The committee adjourned until
Tuesday.
Garnoyle and His er-Stceetheart.
Olive Logan's London Letter.
Only few evening ago the exigencies of
space in crowded exit hall at theater caused
me to be knocking elbows with this girl, while