St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-04
THE SILVER POOL.
Owenby Resumes His Testimony
Before a Committee.

Owenby Resumes His Testimony
Before a Committee.
WASHINGTON, Feb. s. James A.
Owenby, who was on the stand yester-
day, resumed his testimony before the
silver pool investigating committee this
morning. He began his evidence by
explaining certain matters which we're
rather confused yesterday. Speaking
of the papers and books, part of which
he said yesterday were locked up, so
that he (Owenby) could not get them. he
stated that they were ordinary memo
randum books, or diaries, which he
carried like any other business man
and put away when they were filled
up. Some of the memorandum books,
he explained. were in his trunk, and
others had been given to Weyher, with
whom he was interested in business.
Neyher had put them in safe deposit
company, and that was what witness
meant when he said that he could not
get at them. The testimony then re-
cured to the conversation with Donald,
the Hanover bank cashier. Donald,
Owenby said, had told linn that certain
senators aid representatives were inter-
ested in silver transactions. He offered
to give the names. but Messrs. Payne
and Rowell made decided objections, land
insisted on what was SAID at these con-
VerSations being given. but with names
omitted. Mr.. Oates thought that names
should be given. and Owenby said he
could not properly give the conyersa-
tons without names. About
Seven congressman,
he thought, were mentioned. Donald
stated that the congressman were inter-
eSted in silver through certain parties
OF institutions. The Fourth National
and the Chase National banks were do
ing the dealings for these congressman,
Donald said. Donald also stated that Zim-
merman and Forshay, August Belmont
and Carson Il Simmonds we're inter
ested. The orders for silver were given
them and it was bought in London to
cover up the tracks. Yes, Donald used
that expression. He said politicians
were pretty hard men to cream up after.
Donald also told witness he got informa-
tiOn from private agent here. whom
he kept in his employ. Did not
know his name. Donald said that
when he had any doubts about matters,
he came over and saw representative
and also senator, with whom he had
close relations. Yes, Donald had two
congressional friends, but witness un-
derstood him to refer more particularly
to the representative. Donald claimed
to be interested in these silver trans
actions. The total amount of silver that
was agreed to be bought by the persons
interested with Donald, the witness
said. was S1,O00,000 worth. He could
not remember the exact date of these
conversations. There was no one pres
ent tthese conversations. To the best
or witness recollection the silver was
bought at 81 cents and up to S1.03. At
one time Donald spoke of
A Sale of Silver
but did not state how much was sold.
Before making these latter answers
Ownbey had examined two slips of pa
per he carried. Mr.. Payne asked what
those slips were, and the witness said
they were memoranda that he had made
half an hour ago from some letters and
kilograms from Donald which he had
with him. Before handing to the COM
mittee these letters and teIegrams. he
insisted ON their return during the day.
as soon as copies could be made. He
also submitted letter from Mr. Par
cons, of Wells, Fargo & Co. He wanted
tine letter read to the newspaper men.
because Parsons had testified against
him, and that letter would show how
matters were. OWnbey was then ex-
1mined as to his tcontract ar
rangements with Donald. They
we're verbal, he said, and b j..