The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1900-03-17

tlme. Otner senators VINO participated ia
the debate were Spooner, Lindsay, Stew
art, Foraker, Kenney and Bacon.
In the House.
L. j. Simpkins, an electrical engineer of
Wardner, Idaho, testified in the Coeur
d'Alene investigation. He said he did not
participate in the riot, but that soon after
that event was arrested by q squad Of
United States troops, who went about the
streets arresting those persons pointed out
by the Bunker Hill mine spoilers. Two
spectators on the street who stopped to
see the soldiers and their prisoners were
promptly arrested and put with the other
prisoners.
Witness said that one Of the prisoners,
a Swede, was taken with ft, whersupon
q negro soldier struck him senseless with
tine butt of his gun. The corporal of the
guard came up and turning over the fallen
man, said: 81 guess you fixed that fellow
all right" Simpkins said that one of the
prisoners was robbed Of 500.
One of Simpkins' recitals caused some
thing of sensation. He said he was
taken from the "bull pen" by squad
Of four soldiers and marched to the open
enclosure where he was placed with his
hack against the building. The soldiers
stepped back and cooked their guns, ap-
parently making ready to shoot him. At
this point he said high official of the
Bunker Hill mine appeared and said they
had evidence enough to hang the witness
or send him up for many years, but if he
knew who blew up the mill he would be
turned loose. Simpkins said he protested
that he did not know who the guilty par
ties were and the effort to get evidence
from him was finally given up.
After passing number OF minor bills
Tuesday the house proceeded to the con-
sideration Of the conference report upon
the financial bill. Mr.. Overstreet, in
charge of the report, explained in detail
the notifications Of the bill.
The conference report on the financial
bill was adopted by the Louise. The vote
was: Yeas, l66; nays, l20; present and
not voting, 10.
There was a spirited controversy at the
outset of the Occur d'Alene investigation
when Representative Lentz called atten-
tion to kilograms given out by the war
department in which capitalists had asked
for protection to their interests in the min
ing country. He said in view of these pub.
lications the country ought to have the
atiidavits presented by Senators Carter
ard Heitfeld to the president in which
prominent officials of mining and labor or
CARNATIONS stated that martial law was
unnecessary in the Occur d'Alene district.
The committee finally went into execu-
tive session on Lentz's proposition and de-
cided not to call on the president Tor af-
fidavits. AT the opening hearing the cross
examination Of Simpkins developed many
additional incidents of disorder, but in the
main the witness held to the recital given
on his direct examination.
Feeling ran high at the Occur d'Alene
investigation before the house committee
on military affairs Wednesday, anL there
were several spirited exchanges between
Chairman Hull and Representative Ientz.
George Cornell was on the stand rslat.
ing his experience during imprisonment,
which differed only in d IT Ill from those
of the other witnesses. One OF his recitals
was as to an old soldier wlo because of the
brutality of negro soldiers toward him
took his Grand Army button from his
coat and with tears in his eyes threw it
away. Cornell said Re had a memorln-
dunn of the affair but the book was taken
from him and he saw it aftcrw,rd in pos
session of Bartlett Sinclair, the governors
representative during The trouble. Sinclair
who was present arose and declared that
there was no such soldier as had lieen
described.
Lentz protested against statements not
made under oath. He also gave notice tnat
he would call on Sinclair to produce all
his books to locate this alleged soldier
entry.
Chairman Hull here interrupted the
speaker to remark 70 Mr. Lentz that he
was not in position individually to or
der the production Of books; that this was
the province of the committee and with
out such action Lentz's motion amounted
| " HOCIiHg.
Lentz stated that it WAS the usual no.
tice that books referred 10 in the testi-
mony would be called for. He asked that
the committee make the request and with
out objection this was done.
Lentz also moved that the committee
call for all rolls, recorls, etc, showing
the names of those held in the ''bull pen, y
charges against them, cfc.
The committee then went into executive
session to pass upon the motion. The
executive committee voted to s against
calling for the immediate presentation Of
the rolls, records, ETC., of the "bull pen. y
It was agreed, however, that General
Merriam and others be requested to pre-
sent any such papers when they are
heard.
Without Preliminary business the hous'
Thursday resumed consideration of th'
District Of Columbia appropriation bill.