Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-01-19

WAsiuN0TOS, Jan. 1.-THE House
silver POOL investigation COMMITTEES
began ils inquiry THIS morning. w. X.
stevens, tile principal Washington
correspondent OF the 81. Louis GiOJs.
Democrat, which paper first printed the
charge OF u congressional silver pool,
was the nrHt witness. Witness, had an
interview with }. A. Owenby, In which
the statements given In the paper were
made. lie could not locate Owenby
exactly, but he wrs managing n Silver
Reef mine In Utah, and'could, witness
thought, be reached without difficulty.
Witness had no personal knowledge VI
any senator or representative being
engaged In silver pool, and never
heard any member say anything with
regard 10 his own connection with Ill.
yer. Owcnby mentioned some names,
which witness left out In writing. His
personal knowledge as TO the conduct
OF senators and representatives went
only 10 the extent ofthe Interview.
Stevens had u conversation with Col
onel J. L.. Hickey, " Fulton, Missouri.
Hickey said he bought silver while the
legislation was pending and made some
money, hut not nearly w much m TO.
ported. Witness could ne say whether
or not Rlckc, stated he bought silver In
connection with others, or a. private
! speculation.
Row oil Wked II llicky was a lobbyist.
stevens lie seems u hav. q great
deal Of bushes. about the capitol. do
not know exactly what II IL. He In "A
banker.
Tho names Of David r. Lutlcr aud
ex.rreasurer Tanner Of Illinois were
brought out rs having, on hcnrsay
testimony, somr connection with silver
speculation.
Witness had conversation with
Senator stewart, which, In witness
opinion, was n confirmation Of some Of
the statements 10 him. Senator Stewart
said he was not personally connected
with the silver speculation, aud witness
added, "but understood him 10 have
personal knowledge Of other people
being connected with It,"
Owenby had said that pending the
silver legislation, agents Of New York
bankers, brokers and silver dealers
were In the habit Of coming 10 Wash.
ington aud having conferences and
directing the plans Of the lobby.
Owenby had given witness n number
OF names Of persons, who, he said, had
been assisting the legislation. Witness
could not recall all, but would produce
them II he could iind them. Among
the names mentioned were II. G. New.
lands, who bought ex.Ptesident
Cleveland's country place, aud IL. Il.
Pearsons OF New York, cashier Of
Wells, Fargo Il Co.
The Investigation was then directed
toward thu conversations with Hickey.
Names wcrc omitted. Reference was
made by Hickey 10 resolution Intro.
duced by Representative asking what
lac was after, and adding that smith,
the Journal clerk Of the House, said 10
him. "Itlckey, your friend (mention.
ing senalor) II going 10 get into
trouble IN connection with tho silver
poOl.n Hickey vent on 10 say why he
I knew his friend was not In II.
Owenby hal complained TO witness
that thdNe with whom he was associn.
ed In speculation had robbed
him, Witness would not like 10 give
the names. He understood from owen.
by that there were number OF differ,
ent groups interested In silver specnla
, ton. Each comprised eight or ten
men, aud they worked together for tn,
purpose Of enscting the most favorabl,
legislation possible.
The question Of requiring witness /,
, give names went over for the present
r George II. Appenou. the other cor
, respondent OF the Democrat, testifet
. much 10 the same effect. Owenhy haC
told him that there was a silver pool
and witness understood 1t 10 be still II
existence. Adjourned.