The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-03
THERE WAS NO POOL.
Owensby Does Not Remember
Having Used the Expression.
ONE SENATOR BOUGHT SILVER.
Representative Taylor of Ohio Made
Money Out of Bullion and
Wheat Speculations.

WASHINGTON City, Feb. I'm the silver
pool investigation today Representative
Abner Taylor, of Illinois, said he had
bought on margins in last July and August
10000 ounces of silver and sold il at a
proht. He had no record of purchase
after the silver bill became a law. He had
not bought any silver since Congressman
Taylor said he did not know of any
senator or other representative having
bought silver. Witness did not buy any
silver before the law went into effect nor
while the legislation was pending. He
had dealt some in wheat since he had
been in congress. He had after consulta-
ton with the president, the secretary of
the treasury and the director of the mint,
by whom 1T was approved, introduced
bill at the beginning of the present session
looking to the purchase of 100000
ounces of surplus in the United States. He
did not bold 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.
Representative Clunie of California tes-
titled that he had never dealt in silver and
did not know any senator or representa-
tive who had.
James A. Owensby was sworn. He was
resident. he said, in New York, but spent
the most of his time in Washington City.
His business last year was that of broker.
He had handled all sorts of securities. and
when he had the 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 had talked with
Stevens. the correspondent of the Globe
Democrat, about the silver pool.
Witness-I probably had used the word pool
III speaking of parties in conservation about
silver. had some knowledge of different par
ties, who, believed, were engaged in silver
trading, but OF an organized pool, don't be-
lieve did.
He had seen accounts upon the books of
Wells, Fargo & Co.
Witness was asked a number of ques-
tons to find if any names ON the books
were those of senator's or representatives.
He evaded these questions, and volun-
teered the suggestion that the committee
should have experts examine the books of
Wells, Fargo Co.
During the testimony witness at one
time asked if his questioner meant the
hooks of any bank" Payne wanted TO
know after while what witness meant
by this question, and finally learned that
he referred to the books of ]. NJ. Donald,
cashier of the Hanover National Bank,
and of Hall, assistant cashier. Owensby
was asked if on any of these books was
the name OF any senator or representative,
and after considering the question awhile,
he replied that Donald had once picked up
letter while they were canvassing the
silver question and said:
That man is in it. know what he viii do.
Payne-He mentioned the name, did he?
owensby-You are very anxious to have me
mention that, are you? Yes, will state posi-
lively that il was senator's name.
As an excuse for not being able to give
information with regard to other questions
asked, Owensby said the information was
in his books. The books referred to his
private affairs, and he would not state how
they could be obtained unless compelled
to do so. lie was doing BUSH
ness I'M Chicago and interested
in the firm of Field, Weicher 81 King.
Their business was of q personal nature,
and it would probably be detrimental to
the firm to state where the books, accounts
and stocks were kept. He did not femem-
Der what was in the books, and did not
want TO. Other questions brought out the
fact that outside of these books, witness
had in trunk and other receptacles
memoranda relating TO silver speculation.
The deputy sergeant-at-arms had brought
him to Washington City in such a hurry
that he forgot all about the papers in the
trunk. Adjourned.