Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-02-02
Ths Silver Pool Testim oly Before the
IGvsatigating Committee Saturday.

J. NJ. Donald, cashier of the Hanover
National Bank of New York, testified be-
fore the silver pool investigating committee
this morning that he had paid Owenby $3.50
for information wi h regard to the progress
of the silver legislation last session, but
that Owenby had not furnished any earlier
reformation than was Published ia the
newspapers. The information was desir
not for speculative purposes, but for the
purpose of enabling the bank to keep track
of alta
John w. Heidelberg, the Chicago real
estate dealer, whose name has been con-
nsetad with speculation in silver, testifisd
that he was in Warrington about mon,h
last winter and spring, aud advertised for a
ready writer familiar with bi metaliism. A
man named Hall responded to it, and sid
he could do what writing was wanted; but
witness, as soon as he saw him, was salts
Sed that Hill would not suit him. He did
not wish to offend the man, and probably
said that he would defer decision.
The witness was then examined at length
with regard to each Of the statements made
by Hill and George in their testimony. He
did not, he said, say to either Hill or
George there is something you can make
more money out Of than by writing and
he never suggested 10 any way to either of
them that they sell any certificates to men,
bers of Congress or anybody else.
All witness purchases and sales of silver
were made thro Ugh Henry Clew & Co. , and
he did not know from whom he bought or
to whom he sold. Never sold to any con-
Rressman or government officer, and had o
knowledge of any such persons being e.
gagged in silver speculation in any form.
He had never converted with any sqna.
tor. representative or government officer,
with tho purpose of showing them how
profitable it would be to purchase silver.
He had talked with numbers of congress.
men on the general subject of silver, but
never with any view of inducing them to
purchase. He had shown silver certificates
to Congressman Dorsey Pay son and Tay-
lor. all of whom he knew pretty well, as the
certificates were q new form of money
about which there was naturally some
curiosity. He had also shown them in the
Capitol to Mr.. George. who wanted to see
them, but never suggested the purchase or
sale of them to any of these gentlemen
Witness was not in any pool and obtained
no personal Knowledge on the subject
TIE best information that he had been able
with all his inquiries to obtain was through
the house Of 5. V. White & Co. Mr.,
White wss an ex-member of Congress and
witness believed would have as good infor-
nation as fanny one. He therefore called
there. Mr.. White was absent Mr.. Hop.
kins, the other member of the firm, told
witness the term, on which they would buy
silver for him. Mr.. Hopkins said he did
not think they were buy ing silver for con-
gressmen; that their orders came through
their Washington dealer and that they did
not know for whom they were buying.
Mr.. Heidelberg explained his cOuversa-
tions at the capitol with Hill aud George
These two men. he said, professed 10 be
able to give him information as to the
course of legislation. George especially
represented that he was southern man
who knew many of the northern Repub-
licans, and asserted that he could get early
information. OF course that was what
witness wanted; but he did not follow it
up, as he was not impressed favorably with
the men, and lid not believe they were re.
liable channels of information.
Witness was back and forth betw cen here
and New York, and Hill and George fol-
lowed him up to get an engagement. They
said it would require a great deal of labor
and time, and the expenditure OF some
money for coupes, cigars and saloon
charges, and desired witness to advance
them money. Witness did not think much
Of information that came through the saloon,
and put the men IF, so as to drop them as
moderately as he could. George, he said,
represented witness as lodging them about
the Capitol.
OF course, witness did not solicit inter.
views with them, As he did not wish to ad-
vance them any money. He wishe to say
that neither of them professed TO be able to
influence congressman, but simply to get
information