Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-03-29

WAOI1l1NG ANN ~. -
The fifth day of Gov. Steunenberg's
testimony in the Occur d'Alene inves-
tigation began to-day. Representative
Lentz continued the o questioning.
The governor said he had been in the
Occur d'Alene region during two days
in February, before coming. here. There
were three State deputies on duty at
that time, and DR.. France, who has
been in the service of the State con-
tinuousiy throughout the trouble. On
one ofShis previous Visits he talked
with Stimson, one of the imprisoned
men. He had been told by DR.. France
thsy there was evidence connecting
Stimson with the conspiracy; that on
April 15, prior to the blowing up of the
mill, Stimson had told a certain indi-
vidual to get out of Wardner as there
was going to be trouble.
The governor detailed a number of
visits to San Francisco, Spokane and
elsewhere, during which he said he met
officials of the various mines. At a
meeting at Spokane he told the mine
owners there would be no modification
of the permit system. The mine own
ers were opposed to this system, and
wanted to employ any men they chose.
But the governor said he informed
them that the State of Idaho would
not permit the employment of GRIM
inals. He had made NO statement as
to how long the permit system would
continue, but he said he intended to
enforce it as long as it seemed necesz
sary to insure order. Mr.. Lentz asked
if this meant that the governor
Would Do as He lease
on the subject, to which the witness
replied that he would do as his judg-
ment dictated. If the permit system
had resulted in a loss to the miners Of
half a million dollars as Mr.. Lentz
stated, the governor said he did not
care for that. as it was a necessary
recourse by the State.
Like Louis XIV, you are the State
remarked Mr.. Lentz.
Mr.. Lentz's a1lusion to Louis XIV
caused a prolonged discussion.
A sensational episode occurred at
this point. Representative Lentz as
serted that some of the State deputies
were living with d~isreputable women.
Mr.. Cheney, the attorney appearing
~ haho1f of tho Gtofo of Tdohn intnr-
posed "a protest and said: 81 hurl back
at you that statement. The deputies
are reputable men,"
Mr.. Lentz Indignantly resented the
interference of private counsel, and
addressing the attorney said: "You
ought to be kicked out of the window,
and you would be if you had not the
majority of this committee behind
you"
When Mr.. Lentz attempted to read
from previous testimony concerning
the improper conduct of deputies
Chairman Hull overruled this course.
This further nettled Mr.. Lentz and ad-
dressing Mr.. Hull he exclaimed: II
want to say in your teeth that if you
are a party to protecting this attor-
ney in a lie,
You Arc n Party to it,"
Amid much confusion Chairman
Hull declared that Mr.. Lentz had in
suited the committee and its members
as far as he could and it would have to
stop.
Representative Hay of Virginia,
arose to say that the attorney had
better not give the lie to him and
Representative Cox, of Tennessee,
added: "If any man insults me I'll
hit him."
Mr.. Lentz asked the Chairman why
he did MOI call the attorney to order.
He was out of order, entirely out
of order" ruled Mr.. Hull, emphatic
ally.
Mr.. Cox said that when the attor-
rey accused a member of the commit
tee of ~falsehood, he forfeited his right
to appear.
"If he. says that to me-" added Mr..
Cox, either he or | go out Of the win
dow"
Representative Jett, of Illinois, said
that as a means of protecting the COM
mittee, he would move that the attor-