The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-23
SENATORS AND SILVER.
STEWART APPEARS BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE.

in New York-All the Senator's
from the Silver States Deny Specu-
lating.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Ex-senator Stewart
this morning appeared before the silver
pool investigation committee for the pur-
pose Of making brief statement, he having
been mentioned as making statements
rather conflrmatory of the existence Of a
silver pool. The senator said he had talked
frequently with various persons
about the silver question, and In
the Senate and elsewhere bad op-
posed legislation for the purchase OF
$4,000, 600 ounces Of silver said to be acj
cumulated in New York, on the ground
that it would have the appearance Of pass
ing special act of congress TO relieve those
who had purchased silver. He had frea
quently said that those who had gone into
the speculation must take care of tnem-
selves. What he Insisted on was
permanent legislation, which would
stop speculation by keeping the price
steady. or course, persons who had pur-
chased silver bullion would be benefited by
free coinage; but free coinage would pre-
vent future speoulations. He had made mo-
reference In his conversations TO any menu
berB of congress, and knew nothing with
regard to persons who had speculated in
silver.
STEWART NOT SPECULATION
AS 10 himself. Mr.. Stewart stated that he
had never bought CT sold silver bullion, ex-
cept years ago. when he was mining and
sold his product. He bad not, for several
years, been interested In any silver mine.
either directly or indirectly. It might be
that he held title to some abandoned silver
mines, but he would sell all his interest for
$40. He had some little interest in gold
mines. He had no knowledge OF any SEN
ator or member being interested In silver
speculation. He had no knowledge of OUT
side efforts to promote legislation. He had
mover been asked TO go into any silver spec
ulation.
CoLoRADo's MEN NOT IMPLICATED.
Senator Teller took the stand.
Chairman Dingley stated that nothing
had ever been said with regard to the
Colorado senators being concerned In specus
lation.
Senator Teller, in response said he did
not suppose they would be; but as they
represented the largest silver producing
state they had Thought it proper to appear.
The senator. then said that he had never heard
or any pool or syndicate having any silver
proposing to buy, handle, OF sell silver in
any shape until he had read it In the
newspapers and heard of Representative
Conger's speech on the floor. He had never
heard of any pool, aud had never supposed
that there was any. He mad never been
approached. OF course, he had heard there
was speculation in silver certificates in New
York, AS there was speculation in every
thing else, but he had never heard of il
here. or of any senator being engaged in it.
HIS OWN SKIRTS FREE.
Senator Teller added: ~ never dealt In
silver; never bought an ounce of silver In
my life; never mineo, and never expect to
mine an ounce. Nobody ever suggested to
me TO go into silver speculation.
The senator said he and his brother had a
small interest in mining claim, which cost
them a few hundred dollars, but it had
never produced, and probably never would,
any silver. He had heard stories of vast
silver lobby being here to promote silver
legislation, but knew nothing of 1t himself.
THE SILVER CONVENTION COMMITTEE
In response to question from Senator
Payne the senator said he knew that there
was committee here from the St Louis
silver convention; but he should not call
that lobby, and had never heard OF any
thing improper being done. He had con-
ferred frequently with the three gentlemen
representing this silver convention.
especially with reference to accepting
treasury propositions, but had never heard
silver being bought. The senator said that
he was no speculator; Knew absolutely
nothing Of the Bodus operGndt of specula-
tion, and did not understand the railroad
system Of puts and calls.
woLcoTT INNOCENT.
Senator Wolcott the next witness, said
he had no knowledge OF any silver specula-
tion, directly or indirectly, either before,
pending or since the last legislation.
He knew absolutely nothing OF
any one in official life being
In any way interested in the purchase or
sale Of silver. He had never even heard 10
mentioned in the cloak rooms AS to him.
self, he had not, since he had been in the
Senate, speculated In any way. AS to silver
mines, he was, unfortunately. the owner Of
some unproductive mines, SO that he mig ht
be said to have no mining interests.
A WRITER OF SPEECHES.
e. N. Hill, who described himself as
lawyer and writer. testified that, through
replying to an advertisement calling for q.
ready writer familiar with bimetallism be
had become acquainted with man named
Hedenburg Of Chicago, who subsequently,
proposed that he (HilD should endeavor to
dispose of some certificates calling
for 1000 ounces of silver each
among the members Of congress upon ths
deposit of margin of S25 for each csrtih-
cate. Mr.. Hill was to be made present of
one certificate for each four so disposed Of.
Mr.. Hills reply to this proposition was that
the congressman Of his acquaintance were
all too poor TO put up the mar
gin for a single certificate.
His reply was prompted by his
objection to the scheme. The witness had
not the slightest knowledge Of single cer-
tificate being offered to members Of con-
gress. He had written q number Of BIZ
metallist articles, and had written some
essays on the subject, which he believed
appeared In the Congressional Record.
Mr.. Dingley-Do you mean that they
were delivered as speeches!
The Witness-I do not know what was
done with them. LLaughter.]
A JOKE ON OATES.
Mr.. Oates-What do you usually get for
a speechf
The Witness-If you desire / viii make
terms with you, Mr.. Oates [Renewed
laughter.
j. A. George, who runs provision store,
testifes to being present at Mr.. Hills con-
versation with Mr.. Hedenburg. and said
Mr.. Hedenburg wanted the witness 20 can>
vass the southern members in the interest
of the House bill. He (Mr. Hedenburgl.
said be had organized pool which held
1000, 900 ounces OF silver, and he did not
want free coluage. The witness replied
that he was a free coinage man, and there
after Mr.. Hedenburg avoided him.