The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-31
OWENBY TOBE A WITNESS
THE COMMITTEE TO PAY HIS Elk
PENSES TO WASHINGTON.

PENSES TO WASHINGTON.
Ex-Gov. Foraker Will Appear as His
Counsel - Representative Dockery
Makes Fuller Explanation Of His
Delay in Telling Of Senator Came
ron's Little Speculation.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3o-Gov. Foraker is
about to leap once more into the Washing
ton arena, this time as counsel for j. A.
Owenby, tbs important and mysterious
witness before the bar of the House Mr..
Owenbv has made bad selection, for, since
the ballot-box investigation, in which Gov.
Foraker appeared as his own counsel, Gov.
Foraker has not possessed the confidence Of
the republicans. The ink is hardly dry on
the ballot-box report.
DoCKERY EXPLAINS.
Representative Dockery of Missouri APP
peared before the silver pool investigation
committee to-day, and said that inasmuch
as be had when last on the stand given his
testimony hastily and without sufficient
elaboration he desired briefly TO re-
state the reason why he did not wish
to testify until the day after the
senatorial election in Pennsylvania. He
read q written statement, which was sub
stantially as follows: 1.-THE force bill was
at that time pending in the Senate. was
DESTROYS that it should be beaten. The at
titute of nearly every senator ia respect 70
that measure was very generally under
stood except that of Senator Cameron. "he
election of his successor was to take place
on Tuesday, and the committee was to have
met the previous Saturday.
TOOK THE CHANCES
"It was not known that If Senator Cam
eron was reelected he would vote for the
force bill, but his attitude of uncertainty
led me to indulge the hope that he would
vote against it, Under these circum-
stances, there was nothing b induce me to
desire that another republican should
succeed him. did not wish
public at that juncture any private bust
ness transaction of the senator OF which /
had information that might be entirely
legitimate and proper, and which could, be-
fore an opportunity was afforded him of
showing its entire propriety, be used by his
political enemies to his detriment
DoCKKRY's DOUBT.
al had information that Senator Cam
eron had made a purchase Of silver at some
time during the last session Of congress. /
had no knowledge that he was connected
that would warrant me In conclusion as
30 the propriety or improperly Of pur-
chase made by him. merely had informa-
ton as to the simple fact that he had
purchased silver. l believed 1t 70 be
but justice to the senator that such fact
should not be made pubic by me when 1t
might be used by his political opponents to
his Immediate injury, without time or OPP
portunity for him to prevent the same by
explaining the facts and showing the pro
priety of the transaction, If it was in fact
proper.
NO AGREEMENT.
"There was no agreement or understand
dng between Senator Cameron and myself
or any other person that my testimony
should be delayed in consideration Of or a.
fnducement for the senator TO vote against
the force bill / was not requested by any
person to delay my testimony, nor was any
Suggestion to that effect made to me by any
person. acted upon my own judgment,
Induced thereto solely by the facts aud rea
Sons l have stated"
In response to the chairman, Mr. Dockery
said that he had no knowledge of an inten-
ton on the part of the committee to ad
journ over from Saturday to Wednesday,
except that he had heard Mr.. Oates say to
one of the members that he wanted 20 60
over 10 New York. He, therefore. thought
it likely that the committee would adjourn
until Wednesday. when Mr.. Oates would
be back. The witness had never suggested
such an adjournment to any member of
the committee.
RAN THE RISK.
He admitted that he had taken the chance
that Senator Cameron's silver purchase
might have had something improper or cor
rupt in it. He did not intend TO screen
Senator Cameron or suppress anything, but
to delay his testimony until after the cleo
ton. The COMMITTEES questioned Mr.. Dock
cry very closely as to whether
or not the question of Senator
Cameron's reelection and of the dssir-
ability of an adjournment over until
Wednesday had been a matter OF conversa-
ton between Messrs. Dockery and Vest or
any other person, but Mr.. Dockery stated
that, while he had no recollection one way
or the other about the matter, that 1t was
possible he might have incidentally had
some conversations on the subject.
owENBY TO APPEAR.
The committee has received telegram
from Congressman Mason of Illinois stating
that he has seen Mr.. Owsnby, and that the
much-wanted witness has consented to ap-
pear if his expenses are paid. Mr.. Mason
was requested TO purchase Mr. Owenby q
ticket and inform him that his expenses
would be paid by the COMMITTEES Mr..
Stevens ofsthe Globe Democrat also received
q telegram from Mr.. Owenby, which be laid
before the committee, asking if counsel
would be allowed him. He named ex>Gov.