The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-24
Further Trouble Predicted by Mf.
Stuenenberg IL Troops Are with
drawn from Mining District.
RESUME OF THE SITUATION
COVERT THREATS ALLEGED TO
HAVE BEEN MADE BY CRIMINALS.
The Governor willing tn Accept All
Responsibility for What Has Been
Done by Federal Authorities.

WASHINGTON. Oct 2s-Gov. Steunen-
berg, OF Idaho. had another long con-
ference to-day with Secretary Root re-
specting the maintenance In federal Gus
tody of the miners who are now held
as prisoners in Idaho by the troops The
War Department is anxious 10 escape the
responsibility for the further care of these
prisoners. On the other hand Governor
Steunenberg cannot see his way clear to ac-
cepting their custody because he has not
sufficient force to take care OF them Sec
retary Root has suggested that the Cover
nor issue call for a special session of the
Legislature TO deal with the question. Mean
while. the War Department will continue
to hold the prisoners for short time at
least.
Secretary Root on Sept 2s wrote Gov
ernor Steunenberg protesting against the
further employment of United States
troops to guard the prisoners. saying: Il
am informed that they are now being used
by the civil authorities of the State and
county as a guard for certain prisoners
upward OF 100 in number-who have been
arrested by the civil authorities upon war
rants issued by the civil courts and are
held under such warrants or indictments
found by the grand jury Of the county; that
these prisoners. or most OF them, have been
| held for a number of months and that dur
ing the period Of their detention the Dis
trict Court OF Shoshone county. which Is
the court having jurisdiction 10 try indict-
| ments found by the grand jury. has twice
convened and adjourned without bringing
these prisoners to trial; that tine next regu-
lar term of court will not be held until
January OF next year, and i'm the mean
time, unless something Is done to prevent
| r, r.rfzx
under guard of the troops of the United
States.
II do not wish I'm any way to make any
suggestion relating to the administration
Of justice in your State, or TO imply that the
failure to bring these prisoners TO trial
has not been for perfectly good reasons i'm
accordance with the law and practice of the
| courts Of Idaho. but I am much disinclined
| to have troops OF the United States con-
| tinued longer in the attitude Of retaining
| in custody the citizens of a State who nave
remained so long without being tried and
feel bound 10 urge that IL II Is not con-
venient to bring the prisoners TO speedy
trial you will substitute civil guards as
their custodians and relieve the troops OF
the United States from further performances
of that duty.
THE GOVERNORS REPLY.
The reply of Governor Steunenberg under
date Of Oct. 10 asserts that the withdrawal
of the troops would surely result In a great
loss of property and the loss OF life in
that vicinity. Covert threats" the Gov
ernor adds, "are constantly being made by
those who engaged I'm the riot OF
April %, which resulted in the destruction
of some $4,000 worth Of property and the
assassination of two men. that, as soon as
their revenge upon those citizens who have
been induced to assist the State in its at
tempt to ferret out crime, and the story
OF that region convinces me that these
are not idle threats or the boasting OF ir-
responsible parties, but are the expressions
Of deliberate and well-arranged purposes
and plans. 4
.'It should be understood that this is not
a conflict between capital and labor, nor
a question OF wages but IL is a conflict
between the State OF Idaho and certain
criminal organizations which seek TO cloak
themselves under the cover OF labor organ
izations. These organizations were originsl-
ly undoubtedly legal and proper, and were
organized for a commendabe purpose. but
they have been taken possession OF by men
who utterly ignore all law. who are Anarch-
lists IN belief and practice. and by such
men transformed into criminal combina-
tions. We do not concede for moment
that these organizations in Shoshone coun-
ty 10 which we are referring, have any
thing In common with the great labor or
ganizations throughout the country and
they are not in any way TO be considered
in that light. We are not in confiict with
organized labor, as such, in any manner
whatever"
The Governor then gives history OF
series Of crimes. consisting OF murder and
arson and the blowing up OF mines, ex-
tending over a period Of six years from
1892 no effort being made by the county
authorities 10 discover and prosecute the
guilty parties He says: AT the present
time, in the Couer d'AIenes. quiet appar-
entity prevails. but IL is solely by reason
OF the presence OF the federal troops A
large number OF these parties who were in
the riot of April -. 1t Is true. have simply
gone across the line TO Butte. Mont, and
to British Columbia. and viii return i'm
mediately upon the removal OF the troopsy
Upon their return there will he inevltabs
conflict. which. In my judgment. will result
in much bloodshed,
I'm concluding my answer 10 this portion
of your letter. will say that In my judg-
ment the necessity still exists for the de-
tention OF troops in the Coucr d'Alenes.
and ] ask that they be permitted 10 remain
10 assist us in policing the situation. AZ
10 the guarding OF prisoners, l viii state
that on Nov. 1 the State viii be able q
relieve the troops OF all such duties Thia
has been our desire from the beginning. anA
IL has been our intention at all times q
perform this service as soon as We could.