The record-union., 1891-01-18
Testimony Taken Before the House
Silver Pool Committee.
FORT BIDWELL RESERVATION TO
BE REGARRISONED.
Difficulties Encountered in the Way of
the Passage of the Elections Bill In
the senate-The Democrats Using
Every Means to Defeat the Measure
washington Notes.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, Jan. II. = The House
Silver Pool Investigation Committee be-
gan its inquiry this morning.
w. X. Stevens, the principal Washing
ton correspondent of the st. Louis Globe
Democrat, which paper first printed the
charges of the congressional silver pool,
was the first witness. The witness had
an interview with j. A. Owenby, in
which the statements given in the paper
were made. He could not locate Owenby
exactly, but he was managing the Silver
Reef mine, in Utah, and could, witness
thought, be reached without difficulty.
Witness had no personal knowledge OF
any Senator or Representative being en-
gagged in the silver pool, and never heard
any member say anything with regard to
his own connection with silver. Owenby
mentioned some message which witness
left out in writing. His personal knowl-
edge as to the conduct of the Senators and
Representatives went only to the extent
of the interview.
Stevens had conversation with Colonel
Joseph K. Hickey, of Fulton, Missouri.
Hickey said he bought silver while legis-
lation was pending, and made some
money, but not nearly so much as re-
ported. The witness could not say
whether or not Hickey stated that he
bought silver in connection with others,
or as private speculation. RoWell asked
if Hickey was q lobbyist.
Stevens-He seems to have great deal
of business about the Capitol. l do not
know exactly. He is a 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 the silver
speculation.
The witness had conversation with
Senator Stewart, which, i'll witness
opinion, was contirmatory of some of the
statements 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,"
Owenby said, pending the silver legis
lation, agents OF New York bankers,
brokers and silver dealers were in the
habit of coming to Washington and hay
ing conferences and directing the plans of
the lobby. Owenby had given witness a
number of names of persons who, he
said, had been assisting the legislation.
Witness could not recall all, but would
produce them if he could find them.
Among the names mentioned were +. q.
Newlands, who bought eX-President
Cleveland's country-place, and III. B.
Parsons of New York, Cashier of Wells,
Fargo q Co.
The investigation was then directed to-
ward the conversations with Hickey.
The names were omitted. Reference was
made by hickey to a resolution intro
duced by a Representative, asking what
he was after, and adding that Smith,
Journal Clerk of the House, said to him
(Rickey): ''Your friend (mentioning a
Senator) is going to get into trouble in
connection with the silver pool"
Then Hickey went on to say why he
knew his friend was not in it. Owenby
had complained to witness that those
with whom he associated in the specula-
ton had robbed him. Witness would not
like to give names. He understood from
Owenby that there were number Of diff
ferent groups interested in silver specula-
ton. Each comprised eight or ten men,
and they worked together for the pur-
pose of effecting the most favorable legis-
lation possible. The question of requir-
ing Witness to give the names went over
for the present.
George III. Apperson, another corre-
spondent OF the Globe Democrat, testified
much to the same effect. Owenby had
told him that there was silver pool, and
witness understood it to be still in exist
ence.
Adjourned