National Republican., 1884-02-25
GARfIELD's COUSIN
Gives Some Testimony Before the Keifer-BOyn-
ton Investigating Committee.
Another Adjournment at the Request OF
Gen. Kcifcr.

At the meeting of the Keifer. Boynton in.
vestigating committee Saturday morning
Charles 8. Garfield, OF Cleveland, Ohio, n
cousin Of President Garfield, testified that
he had known Boynton about O year and n
half and Keifer about the same length of
time. Was in Washington in the latter part
of February, 1888. Was present when con-
versation took place somewhere about March
/ between Boynton, j. w. Elder, and, he
thought, somebody else. He heard most of
the conversation. It was in regard to some
claim that Elder had, and which he wished
to speak to Boynton about. BoyntOu's reply
in substance was that he could do nothing
with it, lie said that he had claim himself
and that if Keiler would not take hold of
that ho would not take hold of tho smaller
bill which Elder had. Ho said it was the
McGarrahan bill, and anyone who would not
take hold of that bill would not take hold of
u hill of $1,000 or $4,000. Ho said that he had
been to see Gen. Koior about it and he would
do nothing with it. He said that the speaker
would leave the chair without either friends
OF money. He said that the McGarrahan bill
was large one, and anyone who would bo of
assistance would get pay for It, That was tho
substance of the conversation which took
place in the west hall of the house of repre-
sentatives. Witness could not fix the exact
day of the conversation. 1t was about the
middle Of the week before con gress adiourned.
la answer 10 Mr.. Ward, witness stated that
he did not understand BOynton to say that
he had made representations to Keifer that
there was money in the bill for any ono who
would take 1t up.
In answer to interrogatories by Mr. Adams,
witness said that he did not take part In the
conversation, but was standing close to the
other gentlemen. Could not say whether
Boynton said he had a claim or not
On cross-examination by Mr.. Boynton,
witness admitted that he had but q slight
personal knowledge Of Boynton.
'Did it not seem odd to you that / should
expose myself to a practical stranger" asked
Mr.. Boynton.
at seemed that way to me-" said tho wit
ness. II thought you were little mad, or
you would not have said it,"
SIS this Elder tho one who took a prom-
nent part in the Kellogg-Spofford investiga-
tion p?
Not to my knowledge"
"When did you mention the conversation
to Mr.. Keifer?
II never mentioned it to Mr.. Kefer"
"When did you first make it known to any
one2'
Yesterday"
'You have never spoken of the attempt to
corrupt the speaker until yesterday"
"No, SIR"
In answer to questions by the chairman
the witness said he could not tell how he
came to be subpmnaed He camo to Wash
ington because he was sup9naed in this mat
ter. He talked with MIR. Coleman about this
conversation yesterday. Prior to that time
he had mentioned it to no one, except possibly
Elder, and he was not sure of that He had
seen Elder Saturday, Friday, and Thursday.
They had boarded at the same hotel until
May go.
"Did you sec him between May 20 and the
night before last?"
81 did,"
"When ?"
"I think it was Monday or Tuesday"
"Where?"
"At Cleveland"
did you have any conversation with him
about this matter?'
This matter was mentioned then"
In answer to Mr. Adams tho witness testi-
fed that Elder did rot say whether anybody
sent him to Cleveland to SEQ witness.
did you receive any letter from him|
II think that in December | received q
letter from him from New York, inclosing u
pamphlet about the vapor fuel.
The witness had not been subpnnaed before
Elder arrived in Cleveland, but previous to
that time Keifer had notified him by tele-
graph that he would be wanted
Mr.. Coleman then asked that subpnnaes be
issued for J. w. Elder w. b. Moore of Buf.
falo; Henry Maddox, of New York A. j.
Works, of Washington; A. C. Smith, Of
Washington Thomas II. Gardner, of Wash
ington and w. b. Green. OF Rockville. The
testimony which would be given by these
witnesses was of such q nature, he said, that
the investigation ought not to be concluded
on the part of Mr.. Keifer until it could be
placed before the committee. If the com.
mittee would give him one week he pledged
himself that no further continuance would
be asked for.
The committee consents that Mr.. Boynton
should ask Mr. Kelier few questions con
corning tho speech made in the house, Jan
%.
Mr.. Keifer stated that ne had been informed
by U. IL. Painter that Mr.. BoyntOn had, at
the meeting of correspondents held to censure
Keller for throwing open the press gallery
opposed postponng action until the facts of
the case could be investigated.
you stated" said Mr.. Boynton, 'in your
speech that forged q letter to the secretary
the purpose of njuring you. State what you
mean by the forged letter and the circum-
stances connected with it,"
Mr. Coleman said that he had no objection
to the question, but desired to know how far
the committee meant to go into the eXamina-
tion of the fact whether Boynton forged the
letter or not.
The committee decided that the question
involved a collateral matter which il would
not be well to so into, and Mr. Wilson re-
marked IF we go in to find out whether
members lie little on the floor now and then
we would be interfering with our own pre-
rogatives'
The committee then adjourned until next
Saturday.