The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-04
THE SILVER INVESTIGATION.
owenby Talks All Day and Does Not
Know Who Were Buyers

WASHINGTON CRY, Feb. 2-James A. owenby
resumed his testimony before the silver investi-
CATION committee today. He referred TO a con
versatioD with the Hanover bank cashier.
Donald. owenby said, told him certain senator's
and representatives were interested in silver
3 transactions. He offered 10 give names, but
Messrs. Payne and Rowcll made decided obiec-
tlons, and insisted that what was said at these
conversations be given, but no names, and
oWenby said he could not properly give the
conversations without the names. About seven
congressman, he thought, were mentioned.
Donald stated that certain congressman were in
terested in silver through certain parties or In
stitutions. The Fourth National and Chase
National banks were handling dealings
for these congressman, Donald said. Donald
also stated that Zimmerman aud For
shay, August Belmont and Carson
and Simmonds were interested Orders for silver
were given them. 1t was bought in London TO
cover up the tracks. Donald also told witness
he got his information from private agent
whom he kept in his employ. but he did not
know his name. Donald said that when he had
any doubts about matters he came over and saw
a representative, also senator with whom he
had close relations. Donald had two congress
sional friends, but witness understood him to
refer TO the former particularly as a representa-
tive. Donald claimed to be interested in these
silver transactions. The total amount OF silver
agreed to be bought by the persons interested
with Donald, the witness said, was 100000
worth. He could not remember the exact date
of these conversations. There was no one
present during the conversations. To the
silver was bought at 81 and up 10
l0S at one time. Donald spoke
OF the sale Of silver, but did not state how much
he sold. Before making these latter answers,
0wenby had examined two slips of paper he car
ried- Payne asked what those slips were, and
he said they were memoranda that be had made
half-hour ago from some letters and kilograms
from Donald which he had with him. Before
handing TO the committee these letters and tcle-
grams, he insisted on their return during the
day, or as soon copies could be made. He also
submitted letter from Parsons, of Wells, Fargo
& Co. Owsnhy then was examined as to his
contract arrangement with Donald. They were
verbal, he said
The letter from Parsons to Owenby was in re-
gard to stock OF the Batoloplis Mining Company
III Mexico. Parsons wanted Owenby TO induce
man named Fowler to buy some of the eonl-
paBy's bonds. 0wenby had this read merely to
show that his standing with Parsons was differ
ent from what Parsons stated 10 the committee.
Owenby said his contract arrangements with
Donald were verbal, witness to give all infor1na-
tfon he could possibly get his personal expenses
were 10 be paid and he was to share and share
alike with those who went into the purchase of
silver. Donald was 10 carry the silver for him
and agreed to carry 900 ounces. For his per-
4sonal expenses in Washington he drew on Dom
aid Donald never paid the witness anything on
the silver deal. Witness said Donald told him
he (Douald) had information of 100000 ounces
of silver being purchased by. five banks and
brokerage houses he had named.
He believed Donald named the name of Repre-
sentative ketcham OF New York as one of them.
He insisted on this statement, and again wanted
to give names so as TO make his story clear, but
Payne replied that it would be little short of an
outrage to permit the names of any respectable
men TO be given, unless the witness had other
than hearsay testimony Donald, Payne said,
told him parties to the silver pool got into a
wrangle, that he donald had got out of il, and
therefore could not make anything out OF it for
witness. Donald took that method of repudiat-
ing the arrangement with witness. The silver
purchases were sold out at LII, and witness fig
ured he ought to get 10 cents an ounce on 245,000
ounces. or between S., 900 or SIC, 600.
Owenby said he also received information
from David 7. Littler, Bill Hall, assistant
cashier of the Hanover bank, aud j. L. Cunning
ham, OF persons interested in silver speculation.
Witness mentioned names of persons interested,
and Littler assented, and also mentioned names
of co1gTessmen. Owenby said he had no direct
personal knowledge OF any congressional silver
speculation.
The statement in Correspondent Stevens
publication, that the largest pool was one of
senators and New York capitalists, and that it
was interested TO the extent OF 100000 ounces,
was based by the witness principally on state
ments made by Litttier, who said the men were
freauenters OF Chamberiains. He had stated to
stevens that impeeunious congressman were
permitted TO borrow money on their individual
notes without security for the purpose
OF carrying silver. Donald gave him the in
formation. He also told Stevens that Cullom,
Teller. Cannon and others were not in the pool.
His statement about Culom was from personal
knowledge. Witness went to Senator Cullom
and stated be was interested in silver purchases
and in polite terms asked ii a stated number of
congressman were interested. Senator Cullom
stopped him at once and told him 10 70 no fur
ther; that he (Cuiloml had never specuiated
and never would allow anyone TO carry silver
for him.
The statements made in the publications BIZ
Stevens were gone over carefully item by item
and witness III each case said he had made sub
stantially that statement. Adjourned.