Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-18
THE SILVER POOL.
A Newspaper Correspondents Testimony
Ground Plan of His Article.


WASHINGTON. January l7.-The House
silver pool investigation committee began
its inquiry this morning. Mr.. w. B. Ste
vens. the principal Washington correspond
ent OF the 81. Lou 5 Globe Democrat, which
paper first printed the charges OF a Con
gressional silver pool, was the first wit
ness. The article u the Globe-DemOcrdt
was shown TO Mr. Stevens, and he identi-
fed il as being prepared by himself from
statements made to him by others, and had
an interview with J. 4. Owenby, in which
the statements given we're made. Could
not locate OwenOy exactly, but he was
managing the Silver .,eef mine in Utah,
and could, witness thought, reach
him with difficulty. Witness had
no personal knowledge of any Senator or
Representative being Engaged IN silver
pool. and never heard any member say any
Thing with regard 10 his own connec-
ton with silver. The Owenby interview
was not submitted 10 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.
Mr.. Stevens had a conversation with Col.
Joseph X. Bickey, of Fulton, Missouri
Mr.. Bickey said he had bought some silver
while this silver legislation was pending,
and had made some money, but not nearly
50 much as had been reported. Bickey said
he let 90 too soon. He had only 5000
ouuces that he bought at l0+ or lO5, and
/ let 20 at llO. Witness could not say
whether or not Bicfey stated he bought
/ silver in connection with others, or as IA
private speculation. Did not believe Bick-
ey said anything about having furthered
| legislation.
Mr. Rowell-"Do you know of your own
knowledge whether Bickey was what is
ordinarily called a lObDyistF'
Mr.. Stevens-"He seems to have great
deal of business about the Capitol. ] don't
know exactly what it is. He is banker.
The names of David T. Littler, and ex-
Treasurer Tanner, of Illinois, were
brought out as having, on hearsay testi-
mony, some connection with silver spec
ulation.
Witness said he had a conversation with
Senator Stewart, which, in witness opin-
ion was coniirmat0ry Of some of the state
ments which had been made to him. Sen
ator Stewart said he was not personally
connected with silver speculation, and wit
ness added: "But 1 understood him to
have personal knowledge Of other people
being connected with it. Owenby said that
pending silver legislation, agents OF New
! York bankers, and silver dealers were in
the habit OF coming to Washington and
having conferences at the Sh0reham and
Chamberline. and directing the plans OF
the lobby.
La response to request for the name Of
these lobbyists, Mr. Stevens replied that
he should not like 10 call them lobbyists.
Owenbv had given witness number OF
names Of persons whom he said had been as
sistjng legislation. Witness could not recall
all of them, but believed he had made
memorandum Of them in note book and
would produce the names II he could hhG
them. Among the names OWenby men
toned was that of +. G.. Newland, who
bought ex-President Cleveland country
place. and Parsons, of New York, cashiero OF
Wells Fargo's Express Company. The
examination was then directed toward con
versatiOns with Hickey at the suggestion
of tbe committed. names being omitted,
and witness said 81 met Rick6yin hotel,
aud he said. what is this damned fellow
| manning the representative after, by his
resolution. ! asked Rickey what be meant.
Rickey replied, | meant smith, the journal
| clerk of the House, and Smith, your
friend mentioning d SENATOR is going 20
get into trouble. Rickoy SAID ne asked
Smith what ne meant, and Smith replied
WHY. he's the man that Representa-
tive So-and-so is after. Hickey SAID he
replied. II don't know what you mean
WHY. Hickey, said Smith, they expect TO
connect him with the silver pool. Hickey
said ne replied 10 Smith. how do you know
Smiths answer was. Why. he told mem
Der Of Congress so