Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-30

through had thrown you IS You deserved
from NV room, suppose 1t would have
been wiser for me, but up to that time you
and had been on good terms, although
had been warned by friends to beware OF you:
You did not saw whether you were interested
in the McGarrahan bill, but lnamated that
YOU had q colleague.
Nv knowledge of the lobby clique was OBJ
tanned from YOU. 1 have had no desire tc
condemn correspondents, for l think most OF
them are gentlemen. = have let
ter from Won dated Feb. Is, 1888, asking me
TO recognize a member named. to move to
suspend the rule and pass the bill. which is
of date earlier than our talk.
Mr. Keifer then had read a letter of Boyn-
toms, asking him to recognize members and
resumed the floor. His impression was that
he did not answer, but either the next day or
the day after, Boynton came to his room,
when other persons were there. When the
room was cleared, he began conversation
something like this EXETER, what do you
think think of you?"
Il don't know. hope we'll.
He replied II think you are fool"
did not know what he meant. loud
lauphter.) He answered that l had been
speaker of the House; that l might make
money as Speakers Blaine and Colfax had
done, and then proceeded to say, with this
bill in his hand, that there was plenty to be
made yet if We could get the McGarrahan
bill through. Boynton explained various
phases of the scheme connected with the Nc
Garrahan bill. and my connection with him
ceased at this time.
Mr. Keifer continued at length, giving his
version of the troubles between himself and
Boynton. He hoped the resolution would be
opened wide enough to include VIM. b. Shaw
and quoted from the testimony before the
committee to the effect that Shaw resolved
SIS, 900 for services, etc.
Mr.. Budd of CaIitornia-As speaker did
you not admit to the gallery man you claim
is lobbyist?"
Mr.. Keifer-I am obliged for that question;
it gives me an opportunity to say that never
knew Of it till the adjournment of Congress.
Mr.. Budd-You said you did not know that
Mr. Shaw was a bribed lobbyist; yet you
have stated that Boyuton was your friend up
to the first of March last, and that he ap-
peared at your room and attempted to bride
you; did you not allow him after that to &C.
cupy a seat in the gallery?
Mr. Keifer-Congress adjourned two days
after.
Undoubtedly, continued Mr.. Budd; but
during those two days
Here he was interrupted by groans and
shouts of ''Oh, OH from the republican
side.
Mr.. Keifer continuing, said that if it was
the business of the House to investigate, he
trusted it would give to the committee a wide
range, for the very reason that he wouldinot
lend himself to Boynton. and such as might
have been connected with him to get through
the bill which was to make them rich as was
traduced through the land, and they had the
power to carry on the newspaper war that
seemed singular; did not know if he suffered
from itlin public opinion, but supposed he
had; did know that in his own estimation he
had not suffered, and was willing to stand it
and refuse to buy anybody's support or any
body's newspaper compliments anywhere.
At the request of Mr.. Hopkins of Califor-
MIA. the following communication was read:
Press GALLERY,
House OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Goth, 1884.
Hon. John G. Carlisle, Speaker of the House
of Representatives.
Sir-I address you es correspondent,
amenable to the authority of the House and
holding seat in the press gallery, under the
rule. | last night received letter from
| Hon. j. Warren keiter, now a member of
the House, charging, over his signature, that
| approached him in his capacity as Speaker
of the last House, telling him he was a fool
| for not making money while Speaker as
Blaine and Colfax done; that there was
plenty to be made if the McGarrahan bill
could be gotten through; that | had col
| leagues interested with me in the bill and
| that there would be abundance to divide.
Mr. Keifer further notifies me that he would
not ask an investigation by the House as l
had in writing requesting him to do to the
end that his charges might be submitted to a
, test of the examination under oath. / can
not doubt the House will consider it of i'm
pcrtance to inquire whether there are cores
pondents enjoying its privileges and pro-
tected in their work by the rules, who carry
on lobbying with such etfontry as not to hest
tate t, approach the Speaker with corrupt
proposals. Having thus called your atten-
ton to the grave charges made in writing by
ex-Speaker Keifer, which pronounce utterly
devoid of truth. | have the honor to enclose
herewith the full text of his letter, together
with the correspondence PERTAINING thereto
and through you to respectfully request the
| House to order an investigation of the mat
ter. l have the honor to be very respect
fully,
| Your obedient servant,
| ii. V. BoYNroN,
Correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial
! Gazette.
| Mr.. Warner of Ohio offered an amendment
| directing the committee also to inquire and
report whether any other member of the
press now holding seat in the reporters
gallery against whom charges have been pre-
pared, have been guilty of conduct that
| ought to deprive him of right to such seat
adopted. The resolution as amended was
also adopted.
| Mr.. Randall of Pa, submitted confer
| ence report on the Greedy relief bill and it
was adopted. The Senate recedes from the
amendment requiring the crew of the relief
| ships to be volunteers.
Adjourned.