The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-18
SILVER POOL SCANDALS
TWO CORRESPONDENTS BEFORE
THE COMMITTEE.

Stevens Tells Where He Got the Hear
say Reports on Which His Story " as
Founded-He Fails to DivuIge the
Names of Any Members Of Congress.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.-The House sill
yer pool investigation committee began It's
inquiry this morning. w. B. Stevens, the
principal Washington correspondent Of the
st. Louis Democrat, which paper
first printed the charge of q congressional
silver pool. was called to the stand as the
first witness. The article in the Globe
Democrat was shown to Mr.. Stevens.
He identified it as having been prepared by
himself from statements made to him by
others. The witness had an interview with
j. A. Owenby, in which the statements
given were made.
WHO owENBY is.
He could not locate Mr.. Owenby exactly.
but he was managing the Silver Reef minis
in Utah, and could, the witness thought, be
reached without difficulty. The witness
had never heard any senator or member OF
the House say anything concerning
his own connection with silver specu-
alton. Mr.. Stevens said Mr. OwenbyF
interview was not submitted to Mr.. Owenby
after being written. Mr.. 0wenby men,
toned some names, which the witness left
out in writing. His personal knowledge al
to the conduct of senators and representa-
tives went only to the extent Of the inter-
view.
A SILVER SPECULATION
Questioned as to his knowledge OF the
connection Of people other than senator's or
representatives. with the speculation, the
witness mentioned Joseph X. Hickey Of
Fulton, Mo-, who told the witness that he
had speculated successfully in silver. The
witness could not say whether or not Mr..
hickey stated that he bought silver in con-
nection with others OF as private speculaa
ton. He did not believe that Mr. Hickey
said anything about having furthered legiss
lation.
RICKEY's BUSINESS.
Mr.. Rowell-Do you know Of your own
knowledge whether Mr.. Hickey was what
Is ordinarily called lobbyist
Mr. SteVens-He seems TO have a great
deal OF business about tho capitol. don't
know exactly what It is He is banker.
The names Of David T. Littlor and ex-
treasurer Ianner of Illinois were brought
out as having, on hearsay testimony, some
connection with silver speculation.
The witness said that he had had con-
versatlon with Senator Stewart, which, in
the witness opinion, was con6rmatory OF
some of the statements which had been
made to him. Senator Stewart said he was
not personally connected with the silver
speculation, and the witness added: "But
understood him to have a personal knowl-
edge of other people being connected With
it,"
ALL HEARsAY EVIDENCE.
Mr.. Stevens said he had talked with q
good many people about the matter. but
what was told him was rather from hearsay
than personal knowledge
Question--Do you know whether, pend~
ing silver legislation. thore we're any agents
of New York bankers, brokers or silver deal
ers in Washingtoni
Answer--Only by report and by what
Mr.. Owenby said, which was that they werb
in the habit Of coming over here and having
conferences at the Shorebam and Chambers
lainhs, and directing the plans of the lobby.
MEN WHO INFLUENCE LEGISLATION.
In response TO request for the names OF
these lobbyists Mr.. Stevens replied that he
should not Ike TO call them lobbyists. Mr..
Owenby had given the witness a number Of
names OF persons who, be said, had been
assisting legislation. The witness could not
recall all Of them, but believed that he had
made memorandum Of them in a note,
book and would produce the names il he
could and them. Among the names Mr.
Owenby mentioned were #. g. Newlands,
who bought ex-President Cleveland's coun-
try place, and H. g. Parsons Of New York.
cashier OF Wells, Fargo a. Co. Mr..
Hickey, in conversation with Mr.
Stevens, had mentioned one senator
whose name had been connected
with the silver pool talk, but his name was
not given TO the corumittee. Mr.. OwenbyI
had also given the names of senators and
representatives, but Mr. Stevens declined
to say who they were.
George II. Apperson. the other corres-
pondent Of the Globe Democrat, was exams
ined with about the same result.