Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-03-27
WASHINGTON, March 2s.-Go

WASHINGTON, March 26.-Gov.
S~teunenberg's cross-examination con-
tinued to-day in the Couer d'Alene in
vestigation before the House Commit
tee on Military Affairs. Representa-
tive Sulzer, of New York, directed the
cross-examination inquiring how the
governor justified the continuance of
martial law. The witness said there
had been a continuous state of rebel
lion in the Couer d'Alene district and
while it did not take on the form of
armed resistance there was at all times
opposition to the policy of the State
authorities, an effort to thwart them
and to bring a renewal of the old con-
dition Of affairs. Mr.. Sulzer pressed
for a specification of names and events
in this disorder, but the governor said
1t was general In character and spe-
cific outbreaks were not likely to occur
while the authorities continued to act
with f1rmness.
The governor said he was not in
favor of solitary confinement of pris-
oners unless they were guilty of some
infraction of prison rules. If such i'm
prisonment had occurred he said he
was responsible for it, although he
did not favor it except On. the condi-
lions stated.
When asked if he had conferred with
the Bunker Hill mine officials and 9TH
ers with a view to breaking up the
labor organizations, the governor said
he had not. He added that in his judg-
ment the labor organizations in Shos-
hone county existed only in name,
their real policy being dominated by
criminals" When asked to specify
the so-called criminals, the governor
said he did not care to give names.
Gov. ~Steunenberg was asked why he
did not resort to the posse comitatus,
calling on citizens to aid the sheriff in
maintaining order. He said he did not
believe the ordinary civil procedure
was sufficient to deal with the situa-
ton. He was confronted with a crisis,
he said, and he acted to the best of his
ability and judgment to meet the crisis,
although it was possible, he answered
Mr.. Sulzer, that he might have erred.
Representative Cox, of Tennessee,
asked the Governor why he did not
call the citizens of adjoining counties
to his assistance. Gov. Steunenberg
replied that he had a far better way,
to secure federal aid in the absence
of the State troops in the Philippines.
Citizens, if called out, would have gone
to the scene in a disorganiZed state.
He denied that this was a reflection on
the citizens, and said it was his choice
as the best remedy available.
When Mr.. Cox asked why the Gov
ernor did not send the Lieutenant Gov
ernor to represent him at Occur
d'Alene instead of that fellow, Sim
clair" Gov. S~teunenberg took excep-
ton to the Characterization of Sinclair.
Mr.. Cox explained that this was merely
an insinuation, to which the Governor
replied that he vas not answering in
situations. He had not chosen the
Lieutenant Governor to act, he said,
because he, the Governor, and not the
Lieutenant Governor, was the respon-
sible officer, and he chose Sinclair on
his own responsibility.
Gov. Steunenberg said that at pres
ent there were three troops of cav
airy, about 200 men, in the Occur
d'Alene district. But on December 1
last the troops were withdrawn from
guard duty and went into garrison.
Troops were no longer at the mines,
and there was no stockade. The Gov
ernor said he made this explanation
in view of persistent representations
that the stockade was still in use, with
federal troops on guard.
At noon the committee adjourned
until tomorrow, with Gov. Steunen-
berg still on the stand.