The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-16
No ABUSES BY THE TROOPS.
REPORT UNFOLDING MARTIAL LAW
N COEUR D'ALENEs.
Majority of Military Committee Find
That Under the Circumstances
Gov. stuenenberR and President
Were Warranted I'm Action.

Special Dispatch TO the Post
WASHINGTON, June i5.-The majority
report OF the house committee on military
affairs. which conducted the exhaustive
investigation OF the Occur dAlene labor
agitation. was not widely circulated, ow-
ing to the press of news in connection
with the closing days of congress. The
report says:
"Ffrst--The governor ~ Idaho. in his
efforts to establish order and enforce the
laws OF the state. is TO be commented
for hts courage and fearlessness. The
blind hatred excited by the mob. the con-
sequent Disturbances Of public business
and the reign Of lawlessness Is in a fair
way to be adjusted. The citizens OF Idaho
are 10 be congratulated upon the removal
OF n dangerous cancer that had long
threatened the peace and order OF the
state. Better ideas prevail as 20 the
rights and duties OF men in relation TO
the preservation OF society, and this I'M.
proved condition Of affairs Is in great
measure due TO the conduct OF the gov
ernor OF the state.
'gecond-The conduct Of the military in
the trying hours from May 10 the pres
ent. amid the disturbing elements OF the
Coerr d'AIene. when fierce passions nam
ed unchecked. when no hand was raised
to stay the dynamiter and the murderer,
where the mob had been supreme, Is a
matter OF earnest congratulatlon 20 the
country"
Details Of Miners Meetings.
The report takes UP In detail the vari-
Gus meetings OF the miners unions the
day before and on the day the Bunker
Nm mill was blown up by dynamite the
distribution Of firearms and masks, and
the march on the mill. This" IL says,
accomplished with military precision un-
der direct command OF leaders and with
out delay, from which fact and from the
evidence adduced at the Corcoran trial, II
In found that there existed In the mining
a. -. a.
spread, deep-seated and thoroughly organ
ICED conspiracy"
The report states that the district had
been in a state ~ instruction since 1892.
and the conditions In 1889 eliminated in
the violent state of insurreotion ana riot.
The legislature could not have been con-
vened TO meet the emergency. and the
committee holds that under the crcum-
stances the governor was warranted In
calling on the president for troops" AS TO
the presidents course, the report says:
1T IL conceded on all sides that the presi-
dent of the United states was justified In
sending troops 10 Shoshone county Idaho,
In response TO the application of the gov
ernor." The United States troops have
now gone iato garrison eight miles from
the Scene OF the riot. and they are retain
&c II thj reduess OF the werner. sup
ported by petition OF 1850 citizens.
None OF the charges preferred against
tho United States army and its officers Ia
graphs OF the resolution. have been sus-
tanned by the testimony
Aided the Civil Authorities.
The military force In shoshone coun-
". under command of Gen. Merriam, was
used strictly In aid of the civil authors
ties. The sheriff and other county ON
GERS were In collision with the rioters,
and therefore civil authority could not
DO enforced Some of the county ON
Gals were afterward duly removed from
ONCE by judicial process because of said
eollnsion and nalfeasance In office.
The United States army and its OH
GERS acted strictly within their instruc-
tons and tho law.
President Mckinley and the war de-
partnnent exercised every precaution that
the military act solely within the Constl-
tuition, and not encroach in the distinct
sphere OF the civil authorities. The prosl-
dent exhibited his deep interest and soil
Struetion that the military must have
nothing whatever TO do with enforcing
rules Tor the g9vernment OF miners or
miners unions
The report also states that the writ of
habeas corpus was not suspended, az al
lesed. free sIeech was not denied 90 peace
able citizens, the so-callcd permit sys-
tom was devised ny the state. not
against organized labor but against the
criminal members of certain organizations
mnsauerading under the cloak of organ
Tied labor, who have for years conducted
"A reign of terror and lawessness In the
Occur dAisne district OF that county"
me puniehments of prisoners II is
stated. we're not excessive. and their
treatment by the soldiers was humane
and consihcratc, Tho operation Of mar
tial law and the respective obligations Of
the state and federal authorities are
pointed out II Is stated that Lieut.. I.y-
ons did not force men to work as has
been charged.
Not Pleasant Duty for soldiers.
In conclusion the report says: THE
days OF riot and tnNurreCtiou are not
pleasant for tho soldier. not a man hut
would have wished "a different task hut
he had sworn TO obey, and his duty was
among the rugged mountains OF the Occur
d'AlsneE.
The colorcd troops who stood watch
over the prison at WRrdner had atorni,ui
the hill at san Juan, and thelr manly
bearing courtesy. and dtgnity toll ~ mo
true soldier Tho white troops maintained
the traditional chararterlsticA Of tha
American soldier. and are worthy If tht,
commendatiop uf the country They bor.
themselves with soldicrly heurine under
circumstances % che greatest AggraVa.
tion
BRIG den. ~ L. Merriam and the on
GERS and men under him are o. be con,
mandrd for their wisdom. prudence and
solaterly behavior during the turbulent
dags OF riot ana tuaurrectlou IN idaho,
and the result % this investigation ia /,
complete vlgdicatiou and eXonurati dion -
their conduct
naptist Association 10 Iou,ra,
Special Dlspatch 20 Tho Post eiltxrpe,~
AkFKh FEN. June if Thu, Iilg,f s..s.e 3