Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-03-15
LIVELY DEBATE.
Lentz and Hull Spar In the
Committee Meeting.
THE WARDNER INQUIRY.
Indignation of an Old Soldier
At Military Brutality
Described. 1t Arouses
Sinclair.

Washington, March 15.-Feeling raj
high at the CGur dAlene investigation
before the house committee on militar!
affairs and there were several spirited
exchanges between Chairman Hull an,
Representative -Lentz. George CorneI
was on the stand relating his experience
during Imprisonment in the so called
"bull pen," which differed only in detail
from those of other witnesses. One OF
his recitals was as to an old soldier wht
because of brutality of the negro soldiers
toward him took his Grand Army button
from~his coat and with tears in his eyes
threw 1t away. Cornell said he made a
memorandum Of the affair, but the book
! was taken from him, but he afterward
| saw it in the possession OF Bartlett Sin
| clair the governors representative during
the troubles.
Mr.. Sinclair. who was present. arose
and declared there was no such soldier
as had been described.
Mr.. I.entz protested against statements
not under oath. lie also gave notice that
he would call On Mr.. Sinclair to produce
all his books to locate this alleged soldier
entry.
Chairman Hull here interposed to re-
mind Mr. Lentz that he was not the en-
tire committee and was not in position
individually to order the production of
books. This was the province Of the
committee and without such action Mr.
lentZ's notices amounted to nothing.
Mr.. Lentz stated that this was the
usual notice that books referred to in
testimony would be called for. He asked
That the committee make the request
and without objection this WAS done
MIR. Lentz also moved that the COM
mittee call for all rolls. rct q, DIS. etc.
showing the names of those held in the
bull pen, the charges against them, etc.
The committee went into executive SEES.
sion to pass upon the motion.
An Adverse Vote.
AT the executive session the committee
Voted-6 to against calling for the i'm
mediate presentation of the rolls, rec
ords, etc. Of the bull pen." 1t was
agreed, however that General Merriam
and Others be requested to present any
such papers when they were heard.
When the open session was resumed.
the testimony was soon interrupted BY
another exciting controversy. One of the
attorneys present in behalf of the state
of Idaho occupied seat near the head
of the table. and Mr.. Lentz referred to
the outside coaching" which was going
on. lie also questioned the attorney as
to whom he represented. by whom he
was retained and what retainer had been
paid.
The answer was that Governor Steu.
nenherg had given il $3.50 check as a re-
tainer
Then the following colloquy occurred:
Chairman IIull-What difference does
that make?
MIR, Sulzer of New York Don't be so
imid. Mr. Chairman.
Mr.. Stevens of Minnesota--rhere. is
such thing as decency.
MIR. Sulzer-That may be-
Mr.. Stevens You had better get a little
If 1t.
MIR. Dick Of Ohio-I object to the in
'ultiny remark of the gentleman from !
New York to the chairman
Mr.. Sulzer-Never mind what you want |
o do about it. | will have my rights
lere lou can rest assured of that. i |
Inow, Mr.. Dick. you are very sensitive.
Mr.. Dick-Not at all sensitive to any
hing you can say.
MIR. Sulzer-We will have our say here.
The manner Of the exchange showed
nat the members We're very much in ear
lest. The witness then went on with his
estimony He told of the vleness of the
arn where the men were first confined
nd OF the harsh treatment accorded to
hem.