The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-03
Congressman Taylor, Of Chicago,
Thought Silver Bullion a
Good Investment.
Owenby Before the COMMITTEES
But His Books and Papers
Were Elsewhere.
The Name Of One Senator who "was In
IL" Withheid--May be
Given Out.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.--In the silver pool
investigation to-day Representative Abner
Taylor, OF Illinois, testified that he had
bought on margin in last July and August
10000 ounces OF silver and sold it at profit.
He did not know of any senator or other
representatives having bought silver. Wit
ness did not buy any silver before the law
went into effect. nor while legislation was
pending; he had dealt some IN wheat since
he had been III congress. He had, after
consultation with the president, secretary
OF the treasury and director of the mint, by
whom it was approved, introduced bill at
the beginning of the present session look
ing to the purchase of the 13,00O.O00 ounces
surplus silver bullion in the United States.
He did not hold an ounce OF silver at that
time and did not, before the introduction
of the bill, have any conference with any
man supposed to own silver.
James A. Owenby was sworn. He re-
sided, he said, in New York, but spent most
of his time in Washington. His business
last year was that of broker. He handled
all sorts of securities, and when he had an
opportunity, dealt in silver. His original
business was mining. He had desk room
in the Office of Wells, Fargo & Co., in New
York. Payne asked if witness talked with
Stevens, correspondent of the Globe Demo-
crat, about silver pool
Witness--''I probably have used the word
pool in speaking Of parties in conversation
about silver. had some knowledge of diff
ferent parties who, ! believed, were engaged
in silver trading, but of an organized pool,
r l~&.9A l~oJ: II 1. 4 ~
counts upon the books of Wells Fargo a.
Co. Witness was asked number of
questions to find out if any
names on the books we're those
of senators or representatives. He
evaded these questions, and volunteered
the suggestion that the committee should
have experts examine the books of Wells.
Fargo O. Co. During the testimony witness
at one time asked if his questioner "meant
the books of any bank Payne wanted to
know after while what witness meant by
this question. and fnally learned shat he
meant the books OF j. M. Donald, cashier
of the Hanover National bank, and of Hall,
assistant cashier. Owenby was asked if on
any of these books was the name of any
senator or representative. and after consid-
ering the question while he replied that
Donald had once picked up letter while
they were canvassing the silver situation
and said:
THAT man is in it; know what he will
do"
Payne-"He mentioned senator's name,
did he?''
Owenby-'You are very anxious to have
me mention that. are you? Yes, will state
positively, it was senator's name."
AS an excuse for not being able to give
information with regard to other questions
asked, Owenby said the information was on
his books. The books referred to his pri-
vate affairs and he would not state how
they could be obtained unless compelled to
do so. He was doing business in Chicago
and interested with the firm of Field,
Weicher a. King. Their business was of a
personal nature and it would probably be
detrimental to the firm to state where the
books. accounts and stocks were kept; he
did not remember what was in the books
and did not want to. Another question
brought out the fact that outside of these
books witness had in trunk and other re-
ceptacles memoranda relating to silver
speculations. The deputy sergeant-at-arms
had brought him to Washington in such a
hurry that he forgot all about the papers in
his trunk.