New-York tribune., 1900-05-14
CEUR D'ALENE INQUIRY.
IENTZ AND SULZER LEADING FIGURES
IN PARTISAN SCHEME.
inv TELEGRAPH TO THE rnInrxE-l

IBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUSE-1
Washington, May 13-One OF the most curious
investigations in the history of recent Congresses
has now drawn to a close. II began on February
10 In the House Committee on Military Affairs anu
has since occupied the attention or that COM
mittee practically to the exclusion of everything
else. with the exception of the Appropriation oii.
An inordinate desire to make political cap'er
to manufacture new political issues, was tie
motive of those who demanded this investigation
ostensibly an investigation of the conduct CT the
military forces of the United States In the Co"i
d'Aene mining district OF Shoshone County. iu.uo' @
after the dramatic occurrences OF April - 1879
md the dssensions. conflicts and crimes that pre-
ceded that date The prime mover In the con-
splracy to drag the present Administration INTO
huge scandal-for a conspiracy IL was, oey0"u
doubt-was John j. Ientz a Democratic nheE'o''
of Congress from the Columbus, Ohio district
Congressman Grosvenor. of Ohio, once properly
characterized him as most bitter and vindic'i'e
enemy of the President
LENTzS HATRED OF THE PRESIDENT
1t is rarely necessary to search for hidden mo
tives for Mr.. Lentzs conduct. At all times IN ms
speeches in his private utterances. in his political
doings. in all his undertakings, he Is actuated oF
an unreasoning blind hatred of President Mcf>ln-
ley, whom he abuses and out of season. In terms
quite beyond those of ordinary pof'ical pal'lsah-
ship Mr. Lentz has had a number OF worthy
allies. Chief among them is Congressman Suizer'
OF New-York. known to his colleagues as fhe
Bowery Statesman These men dominated the
Democratic membership of the committee They
made it plain at the outset that this was not an
investigation that should investigate. 1t was an
investigation that should besmirch Messrs Hay
Jett and Slayden and other Democrats OF the COM
nittee had desire handle pitch. They VIII
ingly allowed Lentz and Sulzer to have their way
The plan of the Democratic managers was soon
made evident. There are number of lawyers on
the Committee Military Affairs They knew
that the only way to conduct legal inquiry was
to conduct it legal lines. but 10 govern the
examination in accordance with these rGes would
have brought the investigation to too speedy
termination TO suit the purposes of it's guiding
spirits. 1t would have taken the committee too
directly to the gst of the inquiry, namely. Did the
military commit any wrongs in the Cceur d'Alene?
If so. what wrongs? 1t would have destroyed the
possibility CT indulging in buncombe. of incumber-
ing the record with such matter as Lentz and
Sulzer deemed material not to the inquiry, but to
their own partisan purposes Hearsay testimony
from the beginning was their chief resource. Had
you heard that the Bunker Hill and Sullivan
Mine 0he mine whose mill was destroyed by dyna
mite the occasion when two were muir
dered) is controlled by the Standard Oil Trust?"
That of the gems propounded by Repre-
sentative Lentz, who is said be lawyer. The
purpose of the question malicious one. 1t
intended to the prejudices of those who
oppose the trusts.
THE ATTACK OF LENTz AND sULzER-
One of the Republican members objected 10 the
question, Ientz and Sulzer turned nercely upon
trusts? Afraid let the truth go before the peo
pie? Gag us. would you? Playing politics. are
you" The Republican shrugged his shoulders.
man recited alleged conversations with men who
Eearsay. rnInor inisnuation. abuse, falsehood
and irresponsible testimony continued as long as
the TWO Democrats OF committee had their
innings. Republicans @ho undertook 10 cross-ex-
Only once were Lent Lei and sulzer really brought
10 With short turn Chairman ;L Hull had been
he shook his fist under the nose of Lentz. whose
S you he crd n2 went a5 no rfe
He might bully, but his physical courage could not
At length the other side began produce It's
berg. punctured all the bubbles which Lentz and
sulzer had blown. The Governor was denominated
referred to as a tyrant,, State deputies Were nur-
One of the judges held Kangaroo court 1t was
all done IF for the galSries but The Governor as
the Cceur rAlene district. He and Mr., Sinclair,
martial law had been declared. announced that
What was done they did or G 6 done because
and property Are you the state IKE Louis
that the question was a proper one.
sTEUNENBERG TELLS HIS VIEWS
Then the explosion which spoiled their
hopes. What are your politics." was the indis-
Greet question put TO Governor steunenberg
Il a Democrat he said, Il voted for Bryan
In 1895. / hope to for him again In 1900"
was Of sSa nVernop a
course which he pursued that he is willing to let
the people judge him by becoming a Democratic
candidate for the United States Senate.
Auditor Sinclair took the stand. Attorney Rob-
ertson, who appeared for the miners" he said
tried browbeat the witness. He put insult
ing question 10 him. DO you make that : a
Statement?' Sinclair asked
Il do" Robertson replied pompously.
1T is a lie,'' the little bantam's response.
That was Robertson's chance He weighs over
two hundred pounds. Sinclair weighs about one
hundred and fifty pounds. Robertson displayed
his personal bravery by making fierce attack on
the witness. He was dragged off before he had
the opportunity to do much damage.
Your politics. Republican member fin.S...S
asked Sinclair mindful of the surprise that w q
sprung in response to that question by Governor
swer. II voted for Bryan, and would for him
again."
The Auditor 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 renomi-
nation and reelection
Sulzer and LentZ want the Democrats at Kan
City to adopt plank in the platform condemn
the calling of the United States soldiers
suppress the riots. but Governor Steunenberg has
from Idaho to the Kansas City Convention He will
naturally oppose action that will personally dis
credit him. If the subject is forced upon the con-
vention ii will cause party sChism- 1t may also
cost Bryan votes, and this promises be the
only outcome of the attempt OF Lentz and Sulzcr
TO play politics.
DATE OF CROKER'S RETURN UNCERTAIN