Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-17
THE SILVER POOL TALK.
Correspondent Stevens Examined by the
COMMITTEES.

Correspondent Stevens Examined by the
COMMITTEES.
VARIOUS CONVERSATIONS ON WHICH he BASED HIS
YoRK-MR. JOSEPH nIcKEY AND HIS aEMARKs-
THE PLANTATION TODAY.
| The House silver pool Investigation committee
began its inquiry this morning. Mr.. W. d. Ste
vcns. the principal Washington correspondent
OF the st. Louis Globe Democrats, which paper
first printed the charges Of q congressional
silver pool, was called to the stand az the frs,
witness. The article in the Globe Democrat was
shown to MIR. Stevens.
| THE MAN WHO TOLD Hrn.
He identified it as having been prepared by
himself from statements made to him by
others. Witness had an interview with J. A.
Owenby, in which the statements given were
made. Could not locate Owenby exactly, but
and could, witness thought, be reached with
ont difficulty
| THE MATTER OF PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE
Representative Rowell-Have you any per-
sonal knowledge of any Senator or any member
OF the House of Representatives being engaged
| in silver pool at the time Of the tendency of
the silver bill or subsequently thereto Of your
own personal knowledge?
Mr.. Steycns-I don't think have. Perhaps
| II you will tell me exactly what you mean by
personal knowledge l can say.
| q. Have you ever heard any member say
anything with regard to his own connection
with silver? That would be proper evidence.
A. don't think l have heard any member
say anything of his personal connection with
| silver speculation. No; have not been pres
ent at any negotiations in which Senators or
| RcDrGSCn tatiyoS auOnOcf Tn, Il,
| further questions Mr.. Stevens said the Owcnby
interview was not submitted to Owenby after
| being written. Owenby mentioned some names
which witness left out in writing. His personal
knowledge as to the conduct of Senators and
Representatives went only to the extent of the
| interview.
| OTHER PEOPLES POOLS.
Q. Have you any knowledge of other than
members Of Congress being engaged in a silver
pool pending legislation?
A. They would be statements made by others
| to me. When you say silver pool to me, do YOU
| mean silver legislation? have some little
knowledge Of that kind. had conversation
WITH Col. Joseph K hickey of Fulton, Mo. Mr.
| Hickey said he had bought some silver while this
silverleglslation was pending and had made some
money, but not nearly SO much as had been
reported. Hickey said he let go too soon.
hickey said that he had only 5000 ounces that
he bought at 104 or 105 and let 60 at ITO. Wit.
/
he had bought silver in connection with others or
az a private speculation. The conversation with
Hickey. whom witness had known a long while
occurred not long ago. Did not believe Hickey
said anything about having furthered legis-
lation.
| WHAT MR.. RICKEY Is.
Mr.. Rowell-Do you know of your own
knowledge whether hickey was what is ordi-
nariy called lobbyist?
| Mr. StnvppS H. ,oar,, - k.u.
OF business about the Capitol l don't know
exactly what he is. He is banker
| The names of David T. Litter and ex-Treas-
urer Tanner Of Illinois were brought out as
having on hearsay testimony some connection
| with silver speculation
Witness said he had conversation will,
Senator Stewart, which. in witness opinion.
| was conhrmatory of some Of the statements
which had been made to him. Senator Stew
art said he was not personally connected with
silver speculation and witness added. But
understood him to have personal knowledge OF
| other people being connected with it,"
| Mr.. Stevens said he had talked with good
many people about this matter. but what was
told him was rather from hearsay than personal
knowledge.
| FOLKS WHO CAME FROM NEW YORK.
| "Do you know whether, pending the silver
legislation. there were any agents ofiNew York
| bankers, brokers or silver dealers in Washing
ton?"
| Answer. Only by report and by what Owenby
| said, which was that they were in the habit Of
coming over here and having conferences at
| the Shoreham and Chamberlin and directing
the plans of the lobby.
DID NOT LIKE TO CALL THEM LOBBYISTS.
In response to request for the names of
these lobbyists MIR. Stevens replied that he
should not like to call them lobbyists Owenby
had given witness number of names Of per-
sons who he said had been assisting legislation
Witness could not recall all of them, but believed
he had made a memorandum Of them in a
note book and would furnish the names if he
could find them. Among the names Owenbv
mentioned were +. G. Newlands, who bought
cx-President Cleveland's country place, and H.
B. Parsons of New York, cashier Of Wells, Fargo
Il Co.
WHY HE WAS HAPPY.
To Representative Peel Mr.. Stevens said he
had known Owenby since 1885, The interview
| in September before the publication of the
| original article took place in the Globe Demo-
c,dt Office.
@. What was his manner at that time?
A. He was very cocky. Silver was then at
III. lLaughter.l
Mr.. Stevens said at subsequent interviews
one of which took place just before Christmas
Owenby was in u different frame Of mind He
appeared disguised with the men he had been
in with and talked as though he had been
treated badly.
CONVERSATION OF RIcKEY's.
The examination was then directed toward
conversations with Hickey, at the suggestion of
the committee, names being omitted and wit
ness said: II met Hickey in a hotel and he said
What is this id fellow (naming the Repre-
sentative) after by his resolution"
asked Hickey what he meant. Hickey re-
piled: Imet smith, the journal clerk Of the
House, and Smith said: Your friend (mention-
ing a Senator) is going to get into trouble
Hickey said he asked Smith what he meant,
and Smith replied: Why, he's the man that
Representative So-and-so is after. Hickey said
he replied: don't know what you mean.
Why2 Hickey said. Smith replied: They ex-
pect to connect him with the silver pool hickey
said he replied to Smith: How do you know?
Smiths answer was: Why, he told a member
Of Congress 80.
hickey said he then retorted Well, know
this party never owned an ounce of silver in
his life, and will give you a new $500 gold
note if you will produce the Representative
that said the other Representative told him
that
Then Hickey went on to say why he knew his
friend was not in it.
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