The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-30
REIGN OF TERROR.
Has Existed For Seven Years = Joke
on Sulzer.

- -
Washington, March Ex-Governor
Steunenberg resumed his testimony at
the Occur d'Alene investigation today,
Mr.. Sulzer conducting the cross-exami-
nation The governor related his va
rious talks with General Merriam. He
first mot him in May Last s1a vent
over the 1nsurrectionary conditions ana
the necessity for troops. The governor
said he requested General Merriam to
order the troops to Shoshone county,
and he did so.
When asked who was in supreme
command in Shoshone county, General
Merriam or Bartlett Sinclair, the gov
ernor stated that he himself was the
responsible head of authority. although
he did not exercise any control or COM
mand of the troops. Tire was no agree
ment with General Merriam, said the
governor, that the labor organizations
were to be broken up, nor was there
any talk of suppressing them.
The governor again went over his
trips to Washington. and his call on
the president and the brief talk with
Mckinley.
Questioned as to what the president
said, the governor replied that the
president listened to the brief recital
of conditions and the need of the con-
tinued presence of the troops, but made
no reply. The governor also was ex-
amined as to calls on Secretary Root.
and said the latter intended to with
draw the troops from guard duty on
October 20. The governor called to pro-
test against this. He found that the
secretary was quite determined to with
draw the troops, an order to this effect
having been issued, and most of the
governors efforts were directed to
showing to the military authorities
that the troops should not be with
drawn. The withdrawal was finally
postponed. The governor denied that
there was any talk of politics in con-
nection with the postponement. He
told the secretary there was no militia
available. and not sufficient time to
raise a local guard before the troops
|. were to be Withdrawn, and these rep
reservations brought about the post
ponement.
At present the troops were not on
guard. but were in garrison. Further
questioned as to the calls on the presi-
dent, the governor said the president
told one of the delegations that he had
acted as an official, sending troops on
the governors call, and that any other
| course would not have been in COM
pliance with his sworn duty.
When Mr.. Sulzer referred to the
reign of terror you inaugurated,"
| Governor Steunenberg answered en-
phatically: Il did not inaugurate a
reign of terror. 1t was there before 1
got there. and has existed there for the
| past seven years.
| He further said to Mr.. Lentz: st
| know that country has been a hell on
earth for the last ten years.
Representative Dick opened the re-
| direct examination when the cross
examination had closed. He said he
| was sorry politics had been brought
! into the inquiry but as this had oc-
| CURED, he would pursue that course to
| some extent. He asked Governor
| Steunenberg as to reports of his COM
municating with Senator Hanna or
with Mr. Dick, to which the governor
replied that he had never seen either
of them until he came to Washington.
The governor said he was elected as
a Democrat in 1896 and 1898.
Did you support Mr.. Bryan?" asked
Mr.. Dick.
"I did,
''Would you support him a Amp
"Most assuredly; if he is nominated
again, I win support him, by all
Mr. Dick asked if Mr.. Bryan had ever
written or expressed any protest or
dfsapproval of the governors course.
Mr.. Sulzer and Mr.. Lentz protested. and
Mr.. Hay of Virginia objected on the
ground that Mr.. Bryan was not presi-
dent.
But he will be soon,'' remarked Mr.
Lentz, who added that Mr.. Bryan
would not declare martial law The
committee voted to allow the question
as to whether Mr.. Bryan had protested
and Governor Steunenberg said he had
never heard from Mr.. Bryan in protest
or otherwise.
mas any prospective VICE piSSlOSll-
tial candidate on the Democratic ticket
protested to you?" asked Mr.. Dick
amid much laughter, directed toward
Mr.. SuIzer.
The governor said there had been nc
such protest
The inquiry was then directed tc
showing the circumstances under which
the governor had called for troops.
At noon the committee took a recess
until p. m.