Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1900-03-28
The Governors CrOsS-ExaminatiOn
Entertaining 10 the Commit
tee Investigating.
DID NOT CARE TO GIVE NAMES
Took Exception 10 the Term Used BY Rep
resentatlve Cox, Who Referred TO
Sinclair as THAT Fellow"


/ Steunenberg's ross.examination was
continued today in the Cnur d'Alene in.
vestigation before the house committee
on military affairs. Representative Sui.
ger directed the cross examination, in
auiring how the governor justified the
continuance of martial law.
The witness said there had been con.
tnuous state of rebellion in the Cnur
d'Alsne districts, 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, and any
effort 10 thwart them was to bring on a
renewal of the old condition of affairs.
Mr.. Sulzer pressed for specification
of names and events in this disorder. but
the governor said it was general in char
acter and that specific outbreaks were
not likely to occur while the authorities
continued to act with firmness. The
governor said he was not in favor of sol-
tary confinement Of prisoners unless they
were guilty Of some infraction OF prison
rules II such imprisonment had occurred
he said he was responsible for it, although
he did not favor il except on the condi.
tions stated.
| When asked if he had conferred with
the Bunker Hill mine officials and others
with view to breaking up the labor
organizations, the governor said he had
not. He added that in his judgment the
labor organizations of Shoshone 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.
SteunenbeIg was asked why he did not
resort to pose comitatus by calling on
citizens to aid the sheriff in maintaining
order
He said he did not believe the ordi.
;, nary procedure was sufficient TO deal with
the situation. He was confronted with
a crisis he said, and he acted TO the best
Of his ability and judgment to meet the
the crisis. Although il was possible, he
answered Sulzer, he might have erred.
Representative Cox of Tennessee ask ed
the governor why he did not call til,
citizens of adjoining counties to his as
sistance.
Governor Steuuenberg replied he hat
a far better way--to secure federal aid il
4. the absence of state troops in the Philip
ines. Citizens, if called out, would have
gone to the scene in a disorganized state
He denied that it was reflection on tn,
citizens, and said il was his choice as tn,
best remedy available.
When Mr.. Cox asked why the governo
f did not send the lieutenant governor t,
represent him III the Cnur d'Alenes in
, stead of that fellow Sinclair" Governo
. Steunenberg took exception to the char
acterization of Mr.. Sinclair.
Mr.. Cox explained that this was merel
A an insinuation, TO which the governor re
p, piled that he was not answering insinu
); ations. He had not chosen the lieutei
- ant-governor to act, he said, because h
the governor) and not the Lieutenant
governor was the responsible officer, an
he chose Sinclair on his own responsible
:, ity.
Governor Steunenberg said that ;
, present there were three troops of ca'
alry--about two hundred men--in tn
= Cnur d'Alene district. But on Decen
v Der 1 last the troops were withdraw
from guard duty and went into grrrisoi
o Troops were no longer at the mines, an
there was no stockade. The govern'
said he made this explanation in view
the persistent representations that Il
stockade was still in use, with feder
" troops on guard.
s. AT noon the committee adjourned uni
e. tomorrow with Governor Steunenbe
of on the stand.