The morning call., 1891-02-26
UNSUBSTANTIATED CHARGES.
Report Of The Committee Appointed 10 Ia-
YeStiSate The Silver Pool

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-The report of the
Silver Pool investigating Committee, which
was made to the House tonight, is unan-
imous. 1t reviews the testimony briefly.
OweDby is alluded to as romancer whose
Imagination is not restrained by the lmita
tions Of truth" Senator Cameron's silver
purchase is referred to as hav been made
and the silver sold before the bill was passed.
Representative Tayi ior had bought after the
bill became law and when no additional
legislation was looked for. The report says
it is but just to say that the statement made
by Congressman Conger in the debate in the
House on June oath last, to the effect that he
had been approached to JOIN asilver noel"
furnished some excuse for the publication
OF the general allegation that silver pool
existed pending legislati0a, but none for
the charge that certain Senators and Repre-
sentatiyes had accepted such invitation.
Mr.. Conger, who is nov United States
Minister to Brazil, was asked, by cable, to
give the committee the names of the persons
VINO approached him, but declined TO do so.
The committee says tile fact that the exag-
'serated expressions were sometimes used in
the heat Of debate may furnish an excuse for
such stories, ana affords additional reason
Tor the careful avoidance in debate of inti-
nations that corrupt influences are being
brought 10 bear upon members to influence
legislation, unless member making such in
slnuatIon is prepared 10 substantiate the
SS,,i:s1,le. ---s-7--~- -.
+: The committee has been unable to abtain,
any evidence TO support ONvvii,sss- -'-s -,---
There were many SPECTATORS buying silver
individually, and probably. IN some cases,
in company But there is no evidence that
there was any pool or mblnation OF such
spectators working together TO this end, or
that any Senator or Representative was
concerned with such pool. The only Or
CantTPl rom DTupI effort 10 lnlQra silver
legislation disclosed by the evidence was
the public organization known as the Silver
Commission, appointed by the st. Louis
Silver Convention, and which has had its
headquarters in Washington for the past
year. This commission, according TO the
testimony of Francis q. NeWlands, one of
its members, has printed and distributed d
pamphlets and circulars, published articles
IN newspapers and maintained Agent Slnn-
field TO visit organiZatones, particularly Tie
Farmers Alliances, in various parts. OF the
country for the purpose of working up and
securing an expression OF pubic sentiment
in favor OF the free coinage of silver, at a
ratio OF sixteen to one Of gold.
T. This hau been done at an expense of not
less than $4,000 nor more than $4,000
during the past year, which expense had
been met by the voluntary contributions of
owners Of silver mines and others favOring
such legislation. There was 10 evidence
that the committee has reason to Believe that
this commission, which Onenby describes
as "the head of the silver pool" had any
connection with silver speculations, or ex-
pended any money otherwise than for the
purposes above stated; an organization de-
signed to influence public opinion to secure
legislation.
There is no evidence that any pool. COM
bination, syndicate or individual 81 ecqlator
furnished money to enable members of Con-
gress to invest in silver. or that any Senator
or Representative was iuterested in; any
silver pool or, syndicate, as charged by
'Owenby nor any evidence that any Senator,
Representative or Government official indi-
vidually invested in silver bullion or was
directly or indirectly interested in silver
silver legislation, except that referring to
Senator Cameron.