The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-30
lie Turns the Tables on His Assailants in a
Telling and Effective Manner, and
Comes ont Considerably Ahead.
Passage of the Resolution for an In.
quiry Into Southern Outrages.
The Democratic Senators Decline to Debate
the Question, and Messrs. Sherman and
Malone Do All the Talking
A SENSATION IN THE HOUSE.

EN-Speaker Keifer Turns on His Assailants,
and Warm Time Ensues.
Special to the indianapolis journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.-The sensational part
of to-day's proceedings in the House the
consideration and adoption of resolution to in
vestigate the charges made by ex-Speaker Keifer
against II. V. Boynton, of the Cincinnati Com
mercial Gazette, to the effect that Boynton, to
wards the close of the last session of Congress-
had written to Speaker Keifer asking him to
recognize a member who wished to move the
passage of the McGarahn claim, and subse-
quently had approached him on the
same subject Pending discussion on
this resolution the members were all
in their seats and the galleries. conspicuously
the reporters gallery, were crowded. The reso-
luton offered by Mr.. Hopkins, of Pennsyl-
vania, and was followed by a statement by Mr..
Keifer, who called attention to the recent cor
respondence between him and Mr. Boynton
which called forth the resolution of inquiry.
These letters which were very severe and spicy,
were read at the Clerks desk and futttaer ex-
planned by General Keifer. His statement was
listened to very attentivey and applauded sew
eral times. A member said, atterward to MIR.
Keifer, that it was a matter that demanded he
roic treatment and he admired him for his
bravery in administering it Gen. Keifer
related how Mr.. Boynton had written
him a letter, and, day or two
afterward, followed it up with personal inter
view at the Speakers room, when. in substance,
he said that Mr.. Keifer was a fool for not making
money out of his position, as Speakers
Colfax and Blaine had done, adding, with the
McGaInahan bill in his hand, that ''tiIere was
still an opportunity to make plenty of money if
he could get the bill through and that there
would be millions to divide The letter of Boyn-
ton to Keifer requested him to give Mr. Dun
nell chance to get a vote on the bill Mr.
Keifer said that, after the conversation ceased
Boynton left the room for good reasons, and
from that day to this he has neither spoken to
nor recognized Boynton, and that Boynton had
from that time on. devoted himself to villfyine
him.
Mr. Keifer also read from the records of the
former Congress, showing that W. B. Shaw,
who had investigated and presided over meet
ing of correspondents, and who was opposed to
the resolutions condemning Speaker Keifer for
throwing open, as they alleged, the reporters
gallery to members wives the last night of the
session. had received $15 900 to assist in getting
the Pacific mail steamship subsidy through Con
gress He then explained that he was not re
sponsible for throwing the reporters gal
lery open; that it was done
by the House, by unanimous consent
and he called upon any member who was present
at the time to state if the facts were otherwise
than as he had stated. No member arose for the
purpose. The allegation that he had incom-
moded them by causing the reporters gallery to
be opened was used as pretext to villify him.
Mr.. Keifer, in conclusion, said that he held
himself responsible to his constituents and that
was enough. When they were through with him
he would go home, not soured with the world
for he had been treated well and beyond his
deserts. He was proud of his people, and was
willing to go on to the end doing his duty
They might investigate him as much as they
pleased, but he would not be swerved from HIS
duty by those who sought to have him pay them
for idle compliments,
After some skirmishing, MI Hopkins not de-
string to father the letter as part of his speech
and Mr. Springer assuming its paternity Mr.
Boynton had letter read at the Clerks desk
denying the charges made by the Speaker. The
whole matter created good deal of a sensation,
especially among the reporters, who some time
ago vacated the gallery while Mr.. Keifer was
speaking; but to-day they were close listeners TO
Mr. Keifer's speech throughout