Evening journal., 1891-01-31
Why DOCKERY DELAYED.
He Thought Mr.. Cameron Op-
posed the "Force" Bill.
NO AGREEMENT BETWEEN THEM.


Szore Interesting Testimony Before the
Committee Concerning the Alleged sill
yer Pool and Cameron's Recent Election.
mr. Dookery's Explanation.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Representative
Dockery (Mo) appeared before the silver
pool Investigation committee and said that
inasmuch as he had when last on the stand
given his testimony hastily and without
sufficient deliberation, he desired briefly to
restate the reasons why he did not wish to
testify until the day after the senatorial
election in Pennsylvania He read writ
ten statement, which was substantially as
follows
Mr.. Dockery's Statement.
s'The force bill was at that time pending
in the semitic, Twas desiRous that it should
be beaten. The attitude of nearly every
senator in respect to that measure was
very generally understood, except that Of
Senator Cameron.
''The electi6frof his successor was to take
place on Tuesday, and the committee was
TO have met the previous Saturday. 1t
was not known that if Cameron was re
elected be would vote for the force bill;
but his attitude of uneertainty led me 10
indulge the hope that he would vote
against it, Under these circumstances
there was nothing 10 fnduce me to desire
that another Republican should succeed
him. @@
He KnewTof the Silver Purchase.
81 did not wish to be the cause Of making
public at that juncture any private busi-
ness transaction of the senator Of which /
had information that might be entirely
Legitimate ana proper, and which could,
before an opportunity was afforded him of
showing its entire propriety, be used by his
political enemies to his detriment
u had information that Cameron had
made q purchase OF silver at some time
during the last session of congress. had
no knowledge that he was connected with
any pool nor had l any information that
would warrant me in a conclusion as to
the propriety or impropriety OF the pur-
chase made by him. / merely had informa-
tion as to the fact that he had purchased
silver. | believed it TO be but justice TO the
senator that such fact should not be made
public by me when it might be used by his
political opponents TO his immediate in
jury, without time or opportunity for him
20 prevent the same by explaining the facts
and showing the pr0priety of the transac-
tion, If it was, in fact, proper
No Agreement with Mr. Cameron.
There was no agreement or understand |
ing between Senator Cameron and myself
or any other person that my testimony
should be delayed in consideration of OF as |
an inducement for the senator to vote |
against the force bill. ! was not request
ed by any person to delay my testimony.
nor was any suggestion to that effect made |
to me by any person. | acted upon my
own Judgment, induced thereto solely by |
the facts and reasons have stated. .
In response to Chairman Dingley. MI. |
Dockery admitted that he had taken the |
chance that Mr.. Camerons silver pur-
chase might have had something improper
or corrupt in it. He did not intend to |
screen Mr. cameron or suppress anything, |
but to delay his testimony until after the |
election
The committee questioned Mr.. Dockery
very closely as to whether the question Of /
Senator Oameron's reelection and the de- /
sirability OF an adjournment over until |
WednesdaNhad been a matter Of converse
tion between Mr. Dockery and Mr. Vest or
any other person, but Mr.. Dockery said
that while he had no recollection one way
or the other, It is possible he might have
incidentally had some conversation on the
snbject u.
Owenby Would Cone.
The committe has r~ceived telegram
from Congressman Macon stating that |
he has seen Owenby, and that the much |
wanted witness had consented to appear if |
his expenses are paid. Mr. Mason was re- |
quested 10 purchase ticket for Owenby |
and inform him that HIS expenses would |
be paid by the commEtsse. Mr. Stevens. of |
The Globe-Democrat, also received tel |
egram from OweRby which he laid before |
the committee, asking II counsel would be |
allowed him. He named Ex-Governor For
aker as his attorney.