The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-20


you think was in his mind when he heard
these rumors?" were no exceptions. They
became so common that they no longer
attracted attention. Republicans who un-
oertook 10 croSS-examine witnesses did IL
at great personal peril The tactics OF the
blatherskite were in great favor. PERSONAL
abuse was heaped on members by Lentz
and Sulzer They hesitated not TO draw
the most offensive inference. They hest
tated not to charge men with the most
sordid motives. They hesitated not TO
indulge in personal threats. Fortu-
nately for them they were not taken
with great seriousness. Only once were they
really brought TO with short turn. Chair
man Hull had been goaded almost beyond
human endurance. Livid with anger he
shook his fist under the nose Of Lentz,
whose rowing eye avoided him. you have
gone as far with me as you dare" he cried.
Lentz went no further.
REBUKED BY AN ATTORNEY.
The personal character of men thousands
OF miles from the scene, men who could
not defend themselves. was nothing
sacred to Lentz Governor Steunen-
berg's attorney forgot himself so far
as to allow his virtuous indignation 10
carry him away. He crammed the untruth
down Lentz's throat. The committee
could not forget that Lentz was one of
their members. Delighted as they We're
with the rebuke. they could brook no such
retorts. The attorneys connection with
the case almost came TO an untimely ter
mination. But he made amends and was
At length the 'other side began to pro-
duce its witnesses. The very first witness
punctured all the bubbles which Lentz
and Sulzer imagined were things. OF ma
terial texture. Governor Steunenberg, OF
Idaho. took away from them everything
upon which they stood. All the protests
of the Republicans 10 the contrary not
withstanding. Lentz. and sulzer had not
only failed but refused to connect the
military with the investigation. The field
was not fruitful enough for them. The
acts of the Idaho state administration
were much more to their liking. Ignoring
all the States rights doctrines which are
so sacred to the average Democratic dem
agogue, they proceeded to allow a con-
gressional committee TO review the action
of state and county officials The Gov
ernor was denominated a car in Lentz's
question. The state auditor was referred
to as tyrant. State deputies were muir
derers. The coroner's court was an in
QUESTION" One of the judges held kan
CARGO court" 1t was all done for the gal
leries.
Governor Steunenberg assumed full re-
sponsibility for all that was subject TO
complaint. He and Auditor Sinclair, his
deputy in Shoshone county after the riots,
after martial law had been declared, an
nounced that what was done they did. or
ordered done. because they deemed ii nee
essary for the protection of life and prop
erty. Lentz and Sulzer were in the very
paroxysm of transcendent joy. They had
the state, like Louis XIV?" Lentz asked,
in great glee, arguing solemnly that the
question was a proper one.
Then came the explosion which deadened
their ebullitions, which took all the hap
pinesS out of the present for them.
What are your politics?" was the indis-
Greet question put to Governor Steunen-
berg.
II am a Democrat" he said. 'I voted
for Bryan in 1896. L hope to vote for him
again in 1900"
1t was a sad blow. 1t was absolutely
disheartening. And another disagreeable
feature of it is that Governor Steunenberg
had so much confidence in the righteous
ness of the course which he pursued that
he is willing to let the people judge him by
becoming a candidate for the United States
Senate.
But another blow awaited the conspira-
tors. Auditor Sinclair took the stand. At
miners" he said, had successfully brow
beaten the witness. He put an insulting
question to him.
do you make that as a statement?
Sinclair asked.
81 do" Robertson replied pompously.
1T is liei" was the response.
That was Robertsons chance. He weighs
over two hundred. Sinclair is heavy at 150.
So Robertson displayed his personal brav-
cry by making fierce physical attack on
the witness. who had not the slightest in
for the lie He was dragged off before he
had the opportunity to do him much dam
age, beyond a disarrangement of his toilet.
Sinclair went on as though nothing had
nervously ply him with questions.
Your politics?" a Republican member
finally inquired. mindful of the surprise
ton by Governor Steunenberg.
az am Democrat" was the clear an
swer. He had voted for Bryan. Would
vote for him again. And his preference for
the vice presidency was Sulzer-Sulzer, the
Bowery statesman-who, before that, could
scarcely refrain from throwing inkstands
at the witness, but whose manner now un-
derwent a sudden change. He began to inn
bibe lingering affection for Sinclair.
Much more in a similar strain could be
written by one who had the fortune or mis-
fortune to be a daily attendant on the
Much could be said about the fierce at
tempts of Lentz and Sulzer to shut out
hearsay testimony when the other side
was on the stand But the fact that the
Democrats were hoist by their own petard
has already been made clear. They con-
nected the military with nothing of which
it, as body, need be ashamed. The sol
diers were compelled to meet the most dis
tressing conditions and had to resort to
unusual means to do ii. But General Mer-
Ram only carried out the plans OF the
Governor of the State, and IL anything was
not as Lentz and Sulzer might have de-
sired ii, they may attribute IL to the or
ders and actions OF Democratic Gov
ernor and a Democratic auditor. The audi
tor. like the Governor, also has an idea
that the people of the State will sustain
him. He proposes to make the issue by
trying for a denomination and reelection.
Sulzer and Lentz want the Democrats,
at Kansas City, to adopt a plank in the
platform condemning the calling out of
United States soldiers to suppress the riots.
1t is no Republicans business. Let them do
ii IL they desire. But Governor Steunenberg
has declared that he will head the Bryan
delegation from Idaho to the Kansas City
convention. He will naturally oppose any
action that will personally discredit him.
III the subject is forced on the conven-
ton IL will cause row OF no mean dimen-
sions. IT may result in a bolt. 1t may cost
Bryan votes. All of which is no Republic
ans funeral. 1t is only the outcome of the
attempt OF Sulzer and Lentz to play poll
tics.