Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-03
NOT A GOOD MEMORY.
Mr.. Owenby Does Not Remember Many
Things About His Transactions.


NAMES, But IT WAS OBJECTED TO.
James A. Owenby, who was on the stand
| yesterday, resumed his testimony before the
silver pool investigating committee this morn
ne. He began his evidence by explaining GER
tain matters which were rather confused yes
terday.
Speaking Of the papers and books, part Of
| which he said yesterday were locked up so that
he (Ownby) could not get them, he stated that
they were ordinary memorandum books or
| diaries, which he carried like any other bust
ness man and put away when they were filled
up. Some of these memorandum books, he
| explained, were in his trunk, and others had
| been given to Weicher, with whom he was
interested in business. Weicher had put them
in safe deposit company. and that was what
| witness meant when he said he could not get at
| them.
THE NAMES OBJECTED TO.
The testimony then required to the CONVEX
sations with Donald, the Hanover Bank cashier.
Donald, Owenby said, had told him that GER
tain Senators and Representatives were in
interested in silver transactions. He offered
to give the names, but Messrs. Payne and
Roweu made decided objections, and insisted
on what was said at these conversations being
given, but with names omitted.
MI. Oates thought the names should be given.
and Owenby said he could not properly give
the concentrations without names. About seven
congressman, he thought. were mentioned.
Donald stated that these Congressman we're in
terested in silver through certain parties or in
situations. The Fourth National and the Chase
National Banks were doing the dealings for
these Congressman, Donald said. Donald also
stated that Zimmerman and Fcrshay, August
Belmont and Carson and Simonds were inter
ested.
TO COVER Up THEIR TRACKS.
The orders for silver were given them and 1t
was bought in London to cover up the tracks
Yes; Donald used that expression. He said
politicians were pretty hard men to clean up
after. Donald also told witness he got informa-
ton from private agent here whom he kept
In his employ. Did not know his name.
Donald said that when he had
any doubts about matters he came
over and saw a Representative and also Sem
ator with whom he had close relations. Yes;
Donald had two congressional friends, but wit.
ness understood him to refer more particularly
to the Representative. Donald claimed to be
interested in these silver transactions. The
total amount of silver that was agreed to be
| bought by the persons interested with Donald,
| the witness said, was 81 ,000, 900 worth. He
could not remember the exact date of these
conversations. There was no one present at
these conversations. To the best of witness
| recollection the silver was bought at 81 and up
to 103. At one time Donald spoke of a sale Of
silver, but did not state how much was sold.
owENBY's MEMORANDA.
Before making these latter answers Owenby
had examined two slips Of paper he carried.
Mr.. Payne asked what those slips were and the
made half an hour ago from some letters and
kilograms from Donald, which he had with
him.
Before handing to the committee let
tiers and kilograms he insisted on their
! return during the day. us soon as copies
from Mr.. Parsons Of Wells, Fargo 4 Co. He
wanted the letter read to the newspaper men,
| because Parsons had testified against him, and
that letter would show how matters were.
HIS CONTRACT WITH DONALD.
Owenby was then examined as to his contract
arrangements with Donald. They were verbal,
he said, and he was the victim of verbal con-
tracts. Witness was to give all the information
he could possibly get. His personal
expenses were to be paid, and he was to share
and share alike with those who went into the
purchase Of silver. II four went in he was to
get fourth and if five fifth. Witness was to
put in money il he could raise II, but Donald
was to carry the silver for witness anyhow.
Mr.. Oates had to leave the committee room
for few minutes to go to the meeting of the
judiciary committee. and Owenby insisted on
| that gentleman being present before he went
on with the testimony, and il was some time
before he could be induced to answer further
questions.
WHAT HE WAS SATISFIED WITH.
The witness testified that at q subsequent
conversation Donald said that there were a
number Of persons interested and wanted to
know how much witness would be satisfied
with. Witness said GAS, 900 ounces. Later in
the day Donald told him he guessed he would
have to carry it, but it was pretty big. One
letter from Donald to Owenby submit
ted by the witness asked specially
for information about the Sl5,00O,6 900 re-
demption fund. He explained that that was
written 1t out because witness had not time to
wait to receive verbal instructions. Witness
insisted to Mr.. Payne that this was not the
principal point on which Donald wanted in
formation. He acknowledged 1t was about the
only written instruction he had received.
For his personal expenses witness drew on
Donald by check through the National Bank OF
the Republic OF this city, using a check book
given to him by Donald. At Donalds request
witness kept no stubs. He drew at various
Ter Bradley, Mr.. Wilson and Brico Moses were
employees Of the Bank Of the Republic whom
he met.
DECLINES TO GIVE A NAME.
Questioned about one Of the kilograms.
Owenby explained that it referred to "copy, >
giving statement Of what the silver clauses of
the silver bill would be. It was written out
for him by another man, whose name
he declined to give because it was con-
fdential. Pressed for the name, he suddenly
asked Mr.. Oates if he belonged to any secret
organization. Witness paid for his informa-
ton. Finally the statement was elected that
the man was probably not congressional en-
ploye, but a clerk to Congressman.
Mr.. Oates took up the examination and de-
veloped the fact that Owenby was knight of
Pythias, to which order his informant also be-
longed.
Mr.. Payne then read telegram from Donald
saying, Don't think anything would be gained
by that, SO don't spend anything" That
Owenby said that referred to his proposal to
employ some one to make canvass
Of the House. Owenby said he had secured
information wherever possible, and had
employed or offered to employ and pay people
who could get information for him. When
asked the names of such persons Owenby ut
first evaded answering by saying there were q
half dozen persons.
WHO HE PAID MONEY TO.
He named w. B. Wikeman of this city as one
man. Witness also paid J. L. Cunningham Of
New York 800 he owed him on an old stock
transaction in consideration of Cunningham
getting him information about how much sill
yer would be purchased Witness told
Cunningham he could afford to pay
his debt if the information was secured.
Cunningham was broker and pro-