The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-21

sworn. His counsel suggested that the exam
nation be first conducted by himself as counsel
Ito which the committee agreed), without waiv
ing the right to question whenever he desired.
Mr. Keifer said his personal acquaintance with
BoyntOn began about seven years ago. His re
latiOn with him had been friendly until about
the LIST of March last In reply to a question
whether he had had conversation with Boyn-
ton regarding the aiding of the passage of any
bill pending before the Forty-seventh Congress,
the witness said that it possible that
BoyntOn spoke to him incidentally, but
he did not recoect that he spoke especially about
the McGarrahan bill until about the last of Feb
ruary. On the 9th of February he received a
note from Mr.. Boynton, which has been pub
lished, asking him to recognize Representative
Dunnell to move to suspend the rules and pass
the McGarrahan bill. About two days after that
date Mr.. Boynton came to the Speakers room,
and asked the Witness in low tone of voice,
whether he would recognize Mr.. Dunnell At
this time there was in the room j. G. White,
who was clerk at the Speakers table. White
was at his desk. He thought there was some
thing said by White about Dunnells having been
was Whites duty to keep the list of persons who
wanted recognition. Mr.. Boynton, in a low
tone, said the matter he wanted to talk about
was private matter, and White left the room.
The witness then detailed the alleged converse
ton in his room in the same manner
which he detailed it on the
floor of the House, describing the location
of the persons and furniture in the Speakers
room. Boynton produced the bill for the relief
of McGarrahan, the identical one being put in
evidence by the witness. The witness expressed
his surprise that Boynton should come to him
with corrupt proposition Boynton immedi-
ately left the room. Since that time the witness
had not spoken to Boynton.
Mr. Coleman inquired whether since that time
illusions to Mr.. Kefer in the Commercial Ga
zette were friendly or unfriendly.
Mr.. Adams, of the committee, objected to the
question until the papers should be produced
showing that illusions had been made.
Mr. Coleman, Mr.. Keifer's counsel, recognized
the force of the objection, but said his object
was to show that prior to the conversation the
illusions were friendly and afterwards
friendly.
Mr. Coleman then inquired whether the wit
ness had spoken with anyone about the inter
view shortly after it took place.
The chairman held that the question not
competent, but it was waived for the present
Chairman Hopkins and Mr. Adams asked
General Kefer number of questions, their
chief object being to ascertain why the ex-
Speaker listened so long to Boyntons alleged
corrupt proposition without rebuking him, and
to have him fix the time of the interview. Keifer
said he did not wish to be hasty with man who
had been friend for many years. The exact
time of the conversation he was unable to fix
General Keifer further said that Representative
Dunnell desired to be recognized for the NJ
Garrahan bill, but he told him one would be
recognized to put the bill through.
General Boynton then cross examined General
Kiefer, who affirmed the truthfulness of his
speech on the floor of the House, but said he did
not consider improper General Boynton's letter
asking him, in behalf of Mr.. McGarrahan, to re-
cognize some one for his bill. He received a
large number of such communications. 1t was
only when taken in connection with the subse
quent proposition that the letter became impor-
tant General Boynton was unable to get General
Keifer to fix the time of the alleged interview
any nearer than to say that it was either on
Feb. %, or March l, and in the morning or after
noon.
The examination then proceeded as follows:
Boynton-After l had tried to corrupt you in
this most astounding way, you took mo steps to
shut me out of the press galleryl
Witness-No sir.
The Chairman-Did you take any steps to
call the attention of the House to the factl
The Witness-No, sir, We were at the close
of the session, and 1 had thousand things to
think of
Mr. Boynton then questioned the witness as
to the Senate rules, the progress of the work in
the Senate and the shape Of business on the cal
endars, to show there would have been no
earthly possibility of the passage of the McGar
raglan bill in the Senate, even though it should
pass the House.