The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-18
SILVER POOL
INVESTIGATION.
Witnesses Examined by the
House Committee.
testimony Of Washington Correspondents
OiaSt. Louis Paper.
a Statement That the Congressional Lobby
Was Controlled by Agents of
Financial Firms.
Special to THE MoRNrNe CALI.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE House Sill
ver-T ool Investigating Committee began an
inquiry this morning w. K Stevens, the
principal Washington correspondent of the
st. Louis Globe Democrat, which paper
first printed the charges of Congressional
silver pool, was the first witness The wit
ness had an interview with j. A. OWenby.
in which the statements given in the paper
We're made. He could not locate Owenby
exactly, but he was managing the Silver
Reef Mine in Utah, and could, the witness
thought, be reached without difficulty. The
witness had no personal knowledge of any
senator or Representative being engaged in
4 silver pool, and never heard any member
say anything with regard 10 his own connec-
ZION with silver. Owenby mea toned some
names which witness left ont in writing the
article. His personal knowledge as 70 the
conduct of the Senators and Representa-
tlves went only to the extent of an inter-
view. Stevens had a conversation with
Colonel Joseph K. Hickey of Fulton, Mo-
hickey said he bought silver while legisla-
ton was pending. and made some money,
SNS A4SN ny 81 uluCil dS ItIDI lcu. w IT.
ness could not say whether or not Hickey
stated that he bought silver in connection
with others or as a private speculation.
ROwell asked if Hickey was a lobbyist
StevenS-He seems to have great deal of
business about the capitol; l do not know
exactly what he Is.
The names of David T. Littler and ex-
Treasurer Tanner 0fsIllnois were brought
out as having, on hearssy testimony, some
connection with silver speculation. The
witness had conversation with Senator
Stewart which. in witness opinion, was
cohfirmatory of some of the statements
made to him. Senator Stewart said he was
not personally connected with silver specu-
latlon, and witness added: but | under
stood hun 10 have a personal knowl edge of
other people being connected with it,
Owenby said, pending the silver legislation,
agents of New York bankers, brokers and
silver dealers were In the habit OF coming to
Washington and having conferences and
directing the plans of the lobby. Owenby
had given the witness anumber Of names of
persons who, he said, had been assisting
legislation. The witness could no recall all,
but would produce them il he could find
them. Among the names mentioned were
AZ q. Newlands, who bought eX-President
Cleveland'S country place, and Ii. .B. Par
sons Of New York, cashier of Wells Fargo
S Co.
The Investigation was then directed to-
ward conve; sationS with Hickey and names
we're omitted. References was made by
hickey to resolution introduced by rep
reSentatlve, asking what he was after and
adding that Smith, the Journal Clerk of the
House said to him (Rckey): Your friend
mentioning SENATOR is going TO get into
trouble IN connection with the silver pool"
Ihen hickey went on to say why lie knew
mo- F,sNf H.. 4.
plained to the witness that those with whom
ne associated in speculation had robbed him.
Inc witness would not like to give names.
lie understood from Owenby that there
were Il number of different groups inter-
ested i'll the silver speculation. Each COM
prlsed eight or ten men, and worked to-
gether for the purpose of effectng the most
favorable legislation.
The question OF requiring the witness to
give names went over for the present
George II. Apperson, another CORE
spondent of the Globe-D Democrat, testified
much to the same effect. Owenby had told
nm that there waS-a silver pool and witness
understood it to be still in existence. Ad-
jOurned.
NEWLANDs ON THE SILVER BILL.
RENo1Ney.), Jan. IA dispatch was re-
celved here this morning from Francis G.
Ne"laIdS by the Gazette, which reads as
follows: " / think free coinage will pass
the House. Opinions vary as to what the
President will do. His Judgment and ex-
pressicns are against free coinage. but his
conservative views of the veto power may
prevent him from vetong."
PROTESTING AGAINST VESTS BILL.
BOSTON, Jan. 1.-THE newly Organized
Republican Club of Massachusetts, has called
meeting in Faneul Hall next Tuesday
noon TO protest against Vests Free Coinage
BIZ. Party lines have been ignored and in
vltations to take part in the meeting have
been sent TO every business organization in
Boston to take part in the meeting.