National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-07
KEIFER VS.. BoYNToN.
The Defense Closes Its Case and tho Com.
mItteo Adjourns Until Next Week.

initteo Adjourns Until Next Week.
In the Keifer-Boynton investigation yester-
day John A. Sloan, of Washington, was the
first witness called. He testified to the gen.
eral bad reputation of J. w. Elder in this
city. He never had any difficulty with Mr..
Elder. Would not believe him under oath.
Representatives Jordan, of the second Ohio
district, and Rosecrans, and L. NJ. johnson,
a lawyer of Cincinnati, testified that Gen.
Boynton's reputation for truthfulness was
especially good.
Harry Smith, journal clerk, and Represen-
tatives Hit. of Illinois, and Follett also tes-
titled to the same effect. His good reputation
was further attested by f. d. Singleton, of
this city, and Senator Hawley. The latter
considered Gen. Boynton especially and
rather combatively honest.
Mr.. Keifer was recalled and was asked by
Mr.. Ramsey at whose request he wrote q let
ter to the attorney general in January last in
behalf of Mr.. Elder. The witness replied
that he did not remember
Mr.. Ramsey then closely examined the
witness as to the fact of his paying 500 to
Elder in order to settle a b GARD bill at the
United States hotel. The witness denied
that he had given 500 to Elder for any spe-
ciGc purpose, but admitted that he had given
Mr.. Coleman about $50 to pay Elder for his
expenses and time; but he emphatically told
Coleman not to pay cent to anyone for his
testimony.
Charles S. Garfield was recalled and cross
examined by Mr.. Ramsey, and after close
questioning the witness admitted that he was
arrested in DeKalb county, Indiana, in 1879
or 1880. He was indicted for burglary.
To Mr.. Coleman The case WIS nolle
pressed. and he was innocent of the charge
w. Is. Bolding, proprietor of the United
States hotel, said that Elder was guest at
Re hnp hat nm, tp I'd nvi ha
did not know whom-gave his check for $40 on
Elders account Elder had promised him
| some days before that q man would pay wit
ness the money.
Mr.. Coleman then went voluntarily on the
stand and made statement in regard to tho
payment Of the money to Elder. He said
that when preparing the case he wished to
know whether Mr.. Garfield remembered the
conversation between Boynton and Elder, and
he sent Elder to Cleveland to sec Garfield
He gave Elder $50 to pay his expenses but
when he returned he told him (Coleman)
that he had paid out more than $50 In ex-
penses and that his landlord was very press
ing. Elder said that SO would DO enough,
and Coleman had given that sum to the clerk
of the United States hotel.
Mr.. Ben Prescott,a messenger of the senate,
was sworn and examined. He was asked if
he knew Elder, to which he replied in the
affirmative. What is his reputation for truth
and veracity? Not good at all, sir; not good
! at all"
Mr.. Brewster Cameron, general agent of tho
department of Justice, produced and identified
! n letter from tho files of the department
Mr.. Ramsey was asked what he expected
to prove by the letter. He replied that he
wished to show that Elder sought employ
ment in the department ostensibly to assist
the government in the star route trials, but
in reality to assist the other side.
The letter was read as follows:
House OF REPREsE NATIVES UNITED STATES,
WAsnINOr ON, ID. G., jan 10, lSS4-HoS. BESJA-
MIN ii; BREWSTER ATTORNEY GENERAL..hg Lear
| Sir: am well acquainted with John W. Elder,
who will present this letter to you. wish 10 say
| for him that he is reliable In all respects, and
ASK Gi you as personal iayof 10 give MIN near
| don't know what 1t is, but assure you that he
does not wish to impose on you in any way
| Yours, with high esteem, ]. WARREN kEIFER.
This letter was referred to witness, and the
latter consulted with Inspector Woodward and
with others, among them Mr.. Merrick, Gen.
Boynton, and Gen. Keifer. Gen. Keifer said
| he thought he had written the letter at the
solicitation of Mr.. Townsend, of Ohio. He
had never heard anything against Mr.. Elder
| Witness called Gen. Keifer's attention to the
fact that Mr.. Elders reputation had been
shown not to be good, whereupon Gen. Kefer,
as witness remembered it, said he thought
the department was able to take care Of ltself
Witness was of the impression he had told
Gen. Keifer that Mr.. Elder was said to have
some connection with house of prostitution
Witness told Gen. Keifer that Mr.. Elder
claimed to have managed Gen. Keifers can
yass for the speakership, and that Gen
Keller was therefore under obligations to
Mr.. Elder. Con. Keller said that was false
The witness was discharged. Mr.. Ramsey
said to the chairman: THAT is all; the de-
Tense has closed" The committee adjourned
until 10 o'clock next Tuesday.