The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-01
HAPPY Nav Year!
Merriam in Idaho.

Merriam in Idaho.
The publication Of the detaiis Of Gen.
Merfiam's report concerning the use Of
United States troops IN the Occur
d'Alens mining district viii enable
great many people to understand the
trus condition Of affairs there and may
serve to correct some OF the mistaken
IDEAS entertained a. to his alleged abuse
Of authority when the district was
placed under martial law. Merriam has
beeS critleised and denounced. especial
n IN parts Of the country remote from
the trouble where the conditions were
not Thoroughly understood. ana an ex-
aggsratsd account Of his so-called high
handed proceedings has been productive
Of many resolutions OF censure.
THE snti-Merriam crusade was prob
ably dus to the efforts Of J. r. Sow
ereisn. formerly labor leader. but now
q professional agitator. He and one
Ed Boyce, who Is high in miners ccun-.
ellis and doesn't dare set his foot on
the coll Of idaho. were Instrumental in
spreading fantastic tales Of Merriam's
arbitrary actions. ana the numerous
formal protests against the use Of troops
have been based largely upon SUCCESS
lions offered by these two breeders OF
discord-
Gen. Merriam was ordered to the
Occur d'Alenes upon the request OF Gov.
Steunenberg. OF Idaho. who Informed
the government that the state authori-
ties were unable TO cope with the exist
ing trouble The civil authorities OF
shoshone county. where the riots oc-
CURED. were in sympathy with the law
breakers. the idaho militia was in the
Philippines outiawry reigned. the law
was ignored, process was interfered
with and order could be brought out
Of this insurrection only through the
assistance OF the Federal power.
A form Of terrorism had existed in
the Occur d'Alenes for eight years or
more, and the state authorities deter
mined that It should be wiped out and
the community be made law abiding for
ali time to come. Energy, resolution
and fearlessness were demanded for
such a work, and fortunately Gov.
steunenberg was possessed Of all these
qualities. He assumed the responsible
ity OF inaugurating the reforms SO much
needed and has persisted in his work.
until now the Occur d'Alenes are rid
OF the so-called dynamite element and
the mining camps are quiet, orderly and
contented. as they never have been be-
fore.
The task was accomplished through
the assistance of Gen. Merriam, who
was at all times acting under the di-
rection Of the governor Of Idaho. The
governor declared martial law, procla-
nations and orders were issued in reg
ular form and through 1t all Merriam
and his force performed service as a
police power in carrying out the pur-
poses OF the state executive. To throw
the blame for an arbitrary administra-
ton of affairs upon Merriam, therefore.
Is wholly unjustifiable. especially as
Coy Steunenbers has repeatedly an
neunced that he was responsible for
the methods adopted for bringing about
: a restoration Of order and was willing
to answer for them.
The permit system. whereby men APP
plying for work were compelled to for
swear allegiance to the local miners
union and show no participation in the
riots OF April. 1899. was the conception
Of the state authorities and was en-.
forced like all other regulations. In
some respects 1t was a severe measure,
but after long period Of lawlessness.
intimidation and unrest 1t was wisely
concluded that only by such a remedy
eouid the community be cieansed and
~ 49,. S.xx.