The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-01-18
The SILVER POOL.
The Congressional Investigation
of the Same.
A UTAH MAN STARTED THE STORY.
According to Correspondent Stevens-H Name
is j. A. Owenby-The Lobby and How
it Worked Matters.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE silver pool
investigation committee began its inquiry
this morning. w. K. Stevens, the principal
Washington correspondent of the ST LOUIS
Globe Democrat, which paper first printed
the charges of a congressional silver pool,
was the first witness. Witness had an IN
tervlew with j. A. Owenby in which the
statements given in his 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 engaged in the silver
pool and never heard any member say any
thing with regard to his own connection
with silver. Owenby mentioned some
names which witness left out in writing.
His personal knowledge as to the conduct
OF Senators and Representatives went only
to the extent of the interview. Stevens
has conversation with Colonel Joseph l..
hickey, OF Fulton, Mo. Hickey said he
bought silver while the legislation WAC
pending and made some money but not
nearly so much as reported. Witness could
not say whether or not Hickey stated he
bought silver in connection with others or
as private speculator.
Rowell asked if Hickey was'a lobbyist
Stevens-He seems to have great deal
OF business about the capitol. ] do not
know exactly what it is. He is banker.
The names of David T. Littler and ex-
treasurer Tanner, of Illinois, were brought
out as having, on hearsay testimony, some
connection with the silver speculation.
witness had conversation with Senator
Stewart which, in witness opinion, was
connrmatory OF some of the statements to
him. Senator Stewart said he was not
personally connected with the silver specu-
latlon and witness added, but l under
etood him to have personal knowledge of
other people being connected with it,
OWenby said pending the silver legis
latlon 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 witness num-
per OF names OF persons who, he said. had
been assisting legislation. Witness could
not recall all but would produce them if he
could hnd them Among the names men
TONED were T.. q. Newlands who bought
ex-Presldent Cleveland's country place and
Il. b. Searsons, of New York, cashier of
Well, Fargo & Co.
The investigation was then directed
toward conversations with Hickey. names
being omitted. Reference was made bv
hickey to a resolution introduced by a
Representative asking what he was after.
and adding that Smith, journal clerk of the
House, said to him: hickey, your friend
mentioning Senator) is going to get into
trouble in connection with the silver pool. u,
Hickey went on to say why ne knew his
friend was not in it. Owenby had com
planned to witness that those with whom he
was associated in the speculation had
robbed him. Witness would not like to
give names. He understood from Owenby
there were number of different groups in
terested in silver speculation; each com
prised eight or ten men, and they worked
together for the purpose of effecting the
most favorable Legislation possible. The
question of requiring the witness to give
names went over for the presen..
George H. Apperson, the other CORE
spondent of the Globe Democrat, testified
much to the same effect. Owenby had tolls
him there was silver pool. and witness
understood it to be still in existence. Adj
jOurued,