Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28
CALIFORNIA FIG
SYRUP co.
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.
LOUISVILLE. KY. NEW YORK. ny.
For sale BY all Druggists.-Price Soc. per bottle
fe20-tu. th,s.1y84
GEN. MERRIAM TESTlFlES
OF THE PRISONERS.
Latter Better Sheltered Than Soldiers
Had Advised Withdrawal
of the Military.
GEN. MERRIAM TESTlFlES

Capt. Bennett concluded his testimony at
the afternoon session yesterday OF the COM
mittee investigating the Idaho mining trouble
without developing any thing new. He was fol-
lowed by Gen. Merriam, who described in
detail his orders from the War Depart
ment, his journey to Wardner and the as
sembling of troops there by his orders. His
orders to his inferior officers were that ar
rests and seizures were to be made by dep
uties under the protection Of troops. He
was, he said, very careful on this point.
He went over many things covered in the
testimony of other witnesses. He said that
the prisoners at all times were better shell
tered from the weather than were the
troops. There was. however, a deficiency
in bedding. He denied that he had held
any conferences with mine owners or man
ayers. but said he had several times talked
casually with mine operators who came to
or were passing through Wardner.
Gen. Merriam stated positively that he
had never been in the room where the in
quest was held at Wardner. denying the
statement Of Attorney Robertson to that
effect.
Mr.. Robertson interrupted to state that
he had been under the impression that
Gen. Merriam had been present.
Gen. Merriam's testimony followed close
eight years of service, he said, he had
never known a soldier to strike prisoner
with a musket or jab him with a bayonet.
Such testimony, he said, was therefore. to
him, utterly incredible. He declared most
emphatically that state of rebellion ex-
listed In Idaho, and that there was a men,
ace to public safety there, both of which
propositions were set up in the preambles
of the resolution under the operation of
which the committee was acting. He took
up each preamble seriatim. denying abso-
lutely most Of the facts alleged therein.
Gen. Merriam said the United States
troops were in charge of the prisoners,
Simply as guards. in carrying out the au-
felt great solicitude as to the prisoners and
their long confinement. He finally took up
the matter with the War Department. writ
ing and telegraphing on the subject Two
of the letters had not heretofore appeared
in the correspondence furnished by the War
Department, evidently having been mislaid
In these letters Gen. Merriam pointed out
the evident purpose of the Idaho authorities
to continue the military control for some
time, and referring to the adjournment of
the district court with the cases of many Of
the prisoners still pending. In one of the
letters Gen. Merriam advised that a part
of the troops be withdrawn. He stated also
that the continued service of the troops on
guard duty had led to the bribery Of SER
geant and the escape Of eight prisoners
At present. Gen. Merriam stated, the troops
were not guarding any prisoners few
troops remained in garrison in the locality,
but without having any duties in connec-
ton with the disturbance although avail
able in case of an outbreak as long as ma r.
tial law continued.