The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-06
MILITARY RULE ENDORSED
Majority Report on the Occur
GAlene Labor Troubles.
The Republican Members of the In
vcstIgation Committee Commend
Governor steEnenbcrE md General
Merriam-Justiy the Permit system
and Declare Soldiers Did No Wrong

The majority report on the Occur d Alenc
enquiry was presented to the House yes
terday.
1t finds the union miners in Shoshone
County - fault. and commends Governor
Steunenberg and General Merriam.
II recites that ION the 29th of April,
1899, and for some time prior thereto the
miners unions at Mullan. Burke, Gem and
Wardner, constituting a large part of the
mining community Of the Coecr d'Alenes,
ileld secret and largely attended meetings;
and on the morning of the 29th of April
the several unions held meetings at their
halls and distributed firearms and masks.
The Burke Union, about 2G0 strong. seized
Northern Pacific train and proceeded to
Gem, where from $50 to 200 members OF
the Gem union Joined them, seized some
eighty boxes OF powder belonging to the
Helena-Frisco Mining Company, then pro-
ceeded to Wallace, where they were join
ed by the Mullan Union, about 200 strong,
which had marched over from Mullan to
Wallace in time to intercept said train,
obtaining numerous firearms which had
been concealed along the roadside, and
thence proceeded to Wardner. where they
destroyed property aggregating s250,0ov
and murdered two men and wounded
third. This was accomplished with mill
tary precision under direct command Of
leaders, and without delay, from which
fact and from the evidence adduced at the
Corcoran trial. it is found that there
existed in the mining district of the Occur
d'Alene a widespread, deep-seated, and
thoroughly organized conspiracy"
Proceeding. the report says:
Shoshone County. Idaho. has been in
state of instruction since 1892. and dur
ing that time the courts had not been in
the free and unobstructed exercise of their
functions, and justice had not been adj
ministered.
"A violent state of Instruction and riot
eliminated in Shoshone County, Idaho, On
April 29. 1899, resulting in the destruction
of life and property, at time when the
Legislature could not have been convened
to meet the emergency. No riot has oc-
Cured there since said date. solely be-
cause OF the presence OF the United States
military forces.
Under the circumstances the Governor
of Idaho was warranted in making appli-
cation to the President for troops to aid
the civil authorities in executing the laws
Of the State
1T is conceded on all sides that the
u sending troops to Shoshone County,
idaho, in response to the application of
the Governor.
"Since October. 1899. the troops not over
two hundred in number. have performed
no duty in enforcing martial law or guard
ing prisoners. and the prison has been torn
down. The troops ere now in garrison in
Osborne. eight miles from the scene of the
riot They are there at the official re-
quest of the Governor Of Idaho, supported
by a petition signed by 1900 citizens OF
that community
Under the conditions prevailing in
Shoshone County in May, 1899, it was not
necessary for the President to proclaim
martial law under section $780, Revised
Statutes Of the United States.
None of the charges preferred against
the United States Army and its officers in
1dhao, as set forth in the various para
graphs Of the resolution, has been sus-
tanned by the testimony
THE military force in Shoshone County,
under command Of General Merriam, was
used strictly in aid of the civil authorities
The sheriff and other county officials were
In coilusian with the rioters and therefore
civil authority could rot be enforced Some
Of the county officiels were afterward duly
removed from Office by judicial process be-
cause Of said collision and malfeasance in
Office. 49,
The United States Army and its officers
acted strictly within their instructions and
the law.
President Mckinley and the War De-
partment exercised every p-ecaution that
the military act solely within the Con-
Etitution. and not encroach in the distinct
sphere of the civil authorities. The Presi-
dent exhibited his deep interest and solicit
sude in the cause OF labor by his instruc-
zion that the military must have nothing
whatever to do with enforcing rules for
the government Of miners or miners
unions'
THE writ of habeas corpus was not
suspended in Shoshone County by the Gov
ernor in 1899. The Supreme Court of Idaho
refused TO issue the writ on the facts
presented. and the finding of the high
est court Of the State on this point not
having been reversed is binding on this
committee.
The proof is positive that the rights of
free speech, free press, and peaceable
essemblages, were not denied to the peace
able citizens of that community by the use
Of the military power.
THE so-called permit system is an ex-
creme measure, devised and administered
by the State authorities alone, and which
they justify by the necessities OF martial
Jaw. 1t was not directed against organized
labor but against the criminal members
of certain organizations masquerading
under the cloak Of organized labor who
have for years conducted reign of terror
and lawlessness in the Occur d'Alene dis
trict of that county.
THE prisoners confined in the tempor-
ary prison in Shoshone County were civil
prisoners under guard of military forces.
The military commander. was authorized
to enforce prison discipline against prison.
ers violating prison rules. The punish
ments inflicted were not excessive and the
treatment Of the prisoners by the soldiers
was humane and considerable.
Your committee. after careful examina-
lion and investigation OF all the charges
contained in the resolution, finds the fol-
lowing in addition to the findings set out
5n the beginning of its report:
''First-The Governor OF Idaho in hs
efforts to establish order and enforce the |
laws OF the State, is to be commended for |
lis courage and fearlessness. The blind |
hatred excited by the mob. the conse- |
Quent disturbance of public business. and |
the reign of lawlessness, is in fair way
10 be adjusted. The citizens of Idaho are |
TO be congratulated on the removal of a |
dangerous cancer that had long threatened |
the peace and order Of the State. Better |
ideas prevail as TO the rights and duties |
of men In relation to the preservation of |
eociety. and this improved condition of af- |
Sairs is in d great measure due to the con- |
Duct of the Governor Of that State
.'Second-The conduct of the military in |
Ahe trying hours from May . to the present. |
3mid the disturbing elements Of the Occur |
u 'Alene. when fierce passions famed I'M
checked, when no hand was raised TO stay
the dynamiter and the murderer, where