Evening star., 1900-03-30
GOV. STEUNENBERG AGAIN
TELLS ABoUT TROOPS IN sHOsHONE
COUNTY.
Why the Secretary of War Did Not
Withdraw Them-PoIitics in
the Matter.

Gov. Steunenberg resumed hts testimony
at the Occur fAlene Investigation today,
Mr.. sulxer conducting the cross-examina-
tion.
The governor related his various talks
with Gen. Merriam. He first met him in
May last and went over the insurrectionary
conditions and the necessity for troops.
The governor said he requested Gen. Mer-
riam to order the troops to Shoshone coun-
ty, and he did so. 4,
When asked who was in supreme COM
mand in Shoshone county. Gen. Merriam
or Bartlett Sinclair, the governor stated
that he himself was the responsible head of
authority, although he did not exercise any
control or command Of the troops. There
was no agreement with Gen. 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, his call on the President and
the brief talk with Mr.. Mckinley.
Questioned as to what the President said,
Gov. Steunenberg replied that the President
listened to the brief recital of conditions
and the need of theFcontinued presence of
the troops. but made no7reply.
The governor also was examined as to
calls on Secretary Root, and said the latter
intended to withdraw the troops from guard
duty on October 20. The governor called to
protest 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 gov
ernor's efforts were directed to showing to
the military authorities that the troops
should not be withdrawn The withdrawal
was finally postponed.
Troops Were Retained.
The governor denied that there was any
talk of politics in connection with the post
xo1l It. q
no militia available and not sufficient time
to raise local guard before the troops
were to be withdrawn. and these represen-
tations brought about the postponement
AT present the troops were not on guard
but were in garrison.
Further questioned as TO calls on the
President, the governor said that the Presi-
dent 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 compliance with his
sworn duty.
OF terror you inaugurated" Governor Steu-
nenberg answered. emphatically. Il did not
lnaugurate reign of terror. 1t was there
before l got there, and has existed there
for the last seven years.
He said further to Mr.. Lentz, 81 know
that county has been he'll on earth for
the last ten years
Politics In the Matter.
Representative Dick opened the redirect
examination when the ss-questioning
had closed. He said he was sorry politics
had been brought into th&4 inquiry, but as
this had occurred. he would pursue that
course to some extent. He asked Gov
ernor Steunenberg as to reports of his
communicating with Senator Hanna or
with him (Mr. Dick), to which the gov
ernor 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. Br~an?" asked Mr..
Dick.
'I did, ;
Would you support him again?"
Most assuredly; II he Is nominated again
1 will support him by all means"
Mr.. Dick inquired II Mr. Bryan had ever
written or expressed any protest Or dis
approval Of the governors course
Mr.. Sulzer and Mr.. .Lentz protested and
Mr.. Hay Of Virginia objected on the ground
that Mr.. Bryan was not President
But he will be soon.'' remarked Mr.
Lentz, who added that Mr.. Bryan would
not declare ma rtial law
The committee voted to allow the aues-
tlon as to whether Mr.. Bryan had protest.
ed, and Gov. Steunenbery said he had
never heard from Mr.. BRYAN In protest on.
otherwise "
Has any prospective vice presidential
candidate on the democratic ticket pro-
tested to you?' asked Mr.. Dick. amid much
laughter, directed toward Mr. Sulzer
The governor said there had been no such
protest. The inquiry was then directed to
showing the circumstances under which
the governor had called for troops
AT noon the committee took recess until