The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-10-24


ceived a copy of letter written by Gov.
Steunen5erg. Of Idaho, under date of Octo-
Der 10. to Secretary of War Root, in which
the governor assumes for the state fun re-
sponsibIlity for ali that has been done In
Shoshone county !n connection with the
Occur d'Aiene mining troubles. The letter
was written voluntarily, 1t Is said by the
governor, account of the criticism
which has been made OF the Federal gov
ernment. Gov. Steunenberg says:
While it is not necessary TO inform you
OF the relative positions of the state of
Idaho and the general government IN the
matter. as the status Is clearly defined by
statute. still 1t may he proper for purposes
of general information to add that the state
of Idaho Is responsible for all that has
been done In Shoshone county relative 10
the call for troops. the arrest. detention
and care Of prisoners, the regulations un-
der which the mines can and have been
operated from the time OF the insurrection
up 10 the present time. and the regulation
Of all matters concerning the employment
OF men In these mines All of the above
matters have been under the immediate
supervision. control and direction OF the
officers and representatives of the state of
Idaho, and not in any way of the Federal
troops. | further state that the state OF
Idaho assumes and acknowledges all re-
sponsihiity for the manner in which affairs
are conducted In the Occur d'Alenes. so
long as martial law as proclaimed. pre-
walls.
1T should be stated here however. that
these men tthe prisoners) have not been
under arrest by reason of indictments up
on the part of the state. but because they
were men whom We could not permit 20 be
az large under the present condition Of af
held under indictments found by the state
grand jury and whom we desired to try.
escaped prison few days before the reg
uiar term of the court. at which time all
preparations had been made 10 try them"
The Letters on the Subject
WASHINGTON. Oct e2 - Secretary Root
on September IS wrote 10 Gov. Steunen-
berg, protesting against further employ
ment Of United States troops to guard the
prisoners. saying:
'sr am Informed that they are now being
used by the civil authorities ~ the state
and county as guard FOR certain prison.
ers upward ~ a hundred in number. who
have been arrested by the civil authorities
upon warrants issued ny the civil courts,
and are held under such warrants or in
dictntnts found hy the grand jury of the
county: that these prisoners. or most Of
months and that during the period Of
their detention the district court of Sho-
shone county which is the court having
Jurisdiction 10 try indictments found by
,hs. grand jury. has twice convened and
adjourned without bringing these prison.
ers 10 trial. that the next regular term
az court VIII not te held untl January OF
next year and in the meantime unless
something Is done 70 prevent II. theae
prisoners viii remain in prison under
guard Of troops - ne United States
Il DO rot wish in AIRY way 10 make any
ssIgEtsl or relating 70 the administration
~ Justice In your state. or ~ imply that
abe failure 10 bring these pTiscuets 20
trial has not been tnT perfectly good rea-
sors n accordance with the law and prac-
,tce Il The courts q Idaho, but am much
d.s.ncl ned to have troops of the Tinted
states continued louger n the attitude
af retaining in custody the citizens of 4
state " hss have Yemsln@d a. Ions WITHOUT
lesnE tried, and fe@l bound - urge that
II T. Is ~: convenient 10 bring the PRISON
erx 10 speedy trial yoG v III substitute c.V.
,la4rtts as their cuEtadisnS and relieve lie
traavs of The United States from further
performance - that duty"
st.unruhera Ask. For Retention.
The rsniv ~ Gov. Steunenbsyw under
date ~ Ucsasaf IL. asserts THAI the with
,sraval e ,he trops uousa surely result n
great lass ~ property AID the oss %
life n tEa; vicinity.
Not a Question of Labor.