The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1900-05-04
GOVERNOR AS A WITNESS.
Democratic Executive OF Idaho Testified
Against Minera

Against Miners
A petition endorsing the actions OF
Governor Steunenberg OF Idaho and re-
questing that the federal troops be
continued in Shoshone county. where
the mining riots occurred. and which
was signed by 1883 reputable business
men and citizens of the Occur d'Alene
district was kept from the records Of
the investigating committee OF the
house of representatives by the votes
OF the Democratic members of the
committee. The investigation is sup
posed to determine whether the troops
have been kept there contrary to the
constitution, and contrary to the
wishes Of the people. Nothing could
have had more direct bearing upon the
subject than this petition, yet the
| Democrats by their action in keeping
ii out have demonstrated that 1t is po-
litical capital, and not facts pertinent
to the labor trouble, which they are
looking for. The motion to admit this
evidence was made by Mr.. Capron of
Rhode Island, seconded by Col. Dick,
OF Ohio. In the absence of Chairman
Hull and one or two others of the Re-
publicans the Democrats were enabled
to cause tie vote and defeat the mo-
ton.
Witness Henry e. Howes, mer-
chant of Wallace, was badgered by
Representatives LentZ and Sulzer, who
endeavored unsuccessfully to compel
him to reveal matters which had come
to his knowledge as a grand juror. and
which he had taken solemn oath
never to reveal. Objections were made
to these unprofessional questions,
which were sustained by all of the
committee with the exception of the
two members asking them.
On one occasion after Col. Dick had
interposed an objection to the charac-
ter of Mr.. Suffers questions the latter
replied, rather warmly, you are try
ing to protect the witness" To this
Mr.. Capron rejoined: mo, we are try
ing to save you. You need some one
to keep you from asking witness to
divulge something which he has sworn
not to divulge. am trying to save
you who profess to be lawyer"
1T is not against organized labor
but against organized crime. that the
state of Idaho has been waging war"
This was one of the strong state
ments made by Governor Steuenberg
at the hearing in the Occur d'Alene
riots by the military committee of the
house of representatives. Marked 81
lence and attention were distinctly no
table as the governor told OF innum-
cradle cases of anarchy, crime, riot
and lawlessness that had sometimes
led up to murder and assassination.
Earnestly and quietly he stated his
facts, and so convincingly that they |
must even have impressed Representa-
tive Lentz, who has been endeavoring, |
but fruitlessly, to show misuse of the |
United States army and of the power Of |
the president.
Covert threats" said the Democrat
ic governor, "are constantly being |
made by those engaged in the riot of
April 20. which resulted in the de-
struction of some s250,000 worth of
property and the assassination of two
men, that as soon as the troops were
removed they will crafty their re-
venge upon those citizens who have
been induced to assist the state in its
attempt to ferret out crime. In the
beginning of the present prosecution
upon the part of the state a great
many good citizens were induced to
testify and give evidence upon the rep
resentation that they should be pro-
tected, and | have no doubt but that
each and every one of these would be
compelled to leave the country and
sacrifice their homes and property
should the protection which was as
sured them be taken away by the re-
moval of the federal troops.
This is not a conflict between la
Dor and capital or a question of wages,
but it is a conflict between the state
of Idaho and certain criminal organ
izations which seek to cloak them
selves under the cover of labor organ
izations"