The age-herald., 1900-03-23
THE DEFENSE NOW
 OFFERS EVIDENCE Unusual Interest in the Couer 0'Alene Investigation GOVERNOR ON THE STAND Idaho.s Chiet Executive Tells of the Trouble at Bunker Hill Mines
 and Why He Called
 for Soldier
GOVERNOR ON THE STAND

Washington, March 22.-Unusual interest attached to the Couer D'Alene investigation today, as the prosecution, after presenting testimony almost uninterruptedly flor five weeks, closed its case and gave way ito the defense
 Governor Steunenberg of Idaho was the which have been made. The examination was conducted by J. c. Cheney, of the counsel for the defense.
 Goeyernor Steunen5erg said he was elected governor of Idaho in 1896 on the populist-democratic ticket, having accepted the nomination of the democratic conven- ton. He read number of telegrams re- ceived prior to the blowing up of the Bun ker Hill mine and leading up to that event. On April 26, Frederick Burbridge of the
 Bunker Hiin mine ,telegraphed that an armed mob had stopped the Bunker GIill men from working, and calling for pro- lection to the property interests. | He also read many telegrams to and from the sheriffs and others showing the | steps taken to maintain order. The gover- | nor suggested arbitration of differences, but | Mr. Burbridge stat ted there was nothing to | arbitrate and again called for protection. On April %, the day of the blowing up | of the mine, Governor Steunenberg said he | received at 10:S7 a. a dispatch from MT. | Burbridge stating that the miners of Can | yon Creek had laid off and were coming to Wardner to menace the Bunker Hill men. This was accompanied by another. request for protection.
 Other telegrams were received stating that an armed force had taken possession of the railroad tracks at Wardner and then at D. m. one stating that the Aioters nad set fire to the Bunker FiiI mlne' that they had placed dyna.ine under the mill ana that it would De blown up. The slreriff also telegraphed him from ruafdner that the mill was blown up and giving the gravity of the situation.
 Wired the President
 At p. m the governor said that he sent dispatch to the president calling for fed eral aid, as the Idaho troops were absent in the Philippines.
 The governor said he had been i'll prior to the Couer d'Alene excitement, and being unable to go in person, he sent repre- sentative Bartlett Sinclair, to the seat of the disorder. On April 30 Sinclair tee- | graphed urging that the president be ad- | vised to rush troops from the nearest ad- | vlsable post. He also telegraphed that he | had thoroughly investigated the need of martial law; that one-tenth of the citizens favored nartial law; that the local admin istration of the law was a farce, amount ing to administration; that the people were afraid to testify, and that masked men were proving about the town terri flying people. Many like telegrams showing the exciting developments from day to day, the armng of the citizens, the making of arrests, etc, were read by the governor.
 On this information, the governor said and from his own knowledge of affairs for six years, including repeated outrages with apparently no effort to apprehend the gull ty parties, he proclaimed that a state of insurreetion and rebellion existed at the scene of the disturbance.
 Governor Steunenberg said he cautioned Sinclair not to align himself with either side, employers or employees. Sinclair had made speeches in New York for Henry George so that the governor said he re- garded him as qualified to give fair con sideration to the labor situation.
 Representative Lentz objected at this point to the line of inquiry by MT. Cheney, and also questioned the propriety of having private counsel direct the investigation. Chairman Hull replied that the prosecution had selected MT. Lentz to direct its side, tMr. Robinson, an attorney for the miners, had assisted, and the defense was entitled to have counsel. The committee voted to permit the question to stand as the attor- ney propounded 1t.
 As there were frequent objections to questions. the committee agreed to a mo- tion by MT. Sulzer that the governor be al- lowed to tell his story in his own way with out interruption.
 Governor Steunenberg then related in detail the steps taken to carry out the proc lamaton The arrests were made he said of those reasonably suspected of complicity in the disturbance.