The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-14
TORE OFF HIS BUTTON.
G A. r. Man Confined in Idaho
Bull Pen.

Washington, March 14.-Feeling ran
high at the Occur dAlene investigation
before the house committee on military
affairs today, and there were several
spirited exchanges between Chairman
Hull and Representative Lentz. George
Cornell was on the stand relating his
experience during Imprisonment which
differed only on the detail from those
of other Witnesses. One of his rec1talS
was as to an old soldier, VINO, because
of brutality of the negro soldiers toward
him, took his Grand Army button
from his coat and with tears in his
eyes threw it away.
Cornell said he made memorandum
of the affair but the book was taken
from him and he saw 1t afterward in
the possession of Bartlett Sinclair, the
governors representative, during the
troubles.
Mr.. Sinclair. who was present, arose
and declared there was no such soldier
as had been described.
Mr.. Lentz protested against state
mentS not under oath. He also gave
notice that he would call on Mr.. Sinclair
to produce all his books to locate this
alleged soldier. Chairman Hull here
interposed to remind Mr.. Lentz that he
was not the entire committee and was
not in a position individually to order
the production of books. This was the
province of the committee and without
such action Mr.. Lentz's notices amount
ed to nothing.
Mr.. Lentz stated this was the usual
notice that books referring to testi-
mony would be called for. He asked
that the committee make the request,
and without objection 1t was done. Mr..
Lentz also moved that the committee
call for all rolls, records, etc, showing
the names of those held in the bull
pen" charges against them, etc. The
committee went into executive session
to pass upon the motion.
At the executive session the commit
tee voted, to 5. against calling for the
ir1T1
records, etc, of the bull pen. 1t was
agreed, however that General Merriam
and others be requested to present any
papers when they were heard.
When open session was resumed the
testimony was soon interrupted by an
other exciting controversy. One of the
attorneys present in behalf of the state
of Idaho, occupied a seat near the head
of the table and Mr.. Lentz referred to
the outside coaching" which was go
ing on. He also questioned the attorney
as tow HON he represented, by whom
he was retained and what retainer had
been paid. The answer was that Gov
ernor Steunenberg has given a $3.50 check
as retainer.
The the following colloquy occurred;
Chairman Hull-What difference
! does that make?
Mr.. Sulzer of New York-Don't be so
timid, Mr.. Chairman.
Mr.. Stevens of MinneSOta-There is
such a thing as decency.
Mr.. Sulzer-That may be.
Mr.. Stevens-You had better get lit
tie of it.
Mr.. Dick of Ohio-I object to the in
sulting remark of the gentleman from
! New York to the chairman.
Mr.. Sulzer-Never mind what you
want to do about it, I will have my
/ rights here. You can rest assured of
that. I know Mr.. Dick you are very
! sensitive
Mr.. Dick-Not at all sensitive to any
/ thing you can say.
Mr.. Sulzer-We will have our say
1 here.
The manner of the exchange showed
4 the members were very much in earn
| est. The witness went on with his tes-
timony. He told of the vileness of the
| barn where the men were confined and
! Of the harsh treatment accorded them.