The sun., 1909-05-27
LORIMER WINS SENATORSHIP
DEMOCRATS JOIN IN DEFEAT
ING HOPKINS IN ILLINOIS.
Deadlock Had Been On since Jan. 10,
Despite Fact That Hopkins Had Won
In Primary by 10000 and Had
Republican Conventio Endorsement

Deadlock Had Been On Since Jan. 10,
Despite Fact That Hopkins Had Won
In Primary by SO,OOO and Had
Republican Convention Endorsement.
SPRINGFIELD, H., May 2e.-Congress-
man William Lorimer Of Chicago was
elected to the United States Senate to-
day to succeed Albert j. Hopkins of
Aurora and the famous deadlock was
ended. Mr.. Lorimer got under the wire
with les votes at 3 o'clock this afternoon.
Hopkins's total was 10 and Stringer's 23.
Democrats united with Republicans in
bringing about the result. 1t was the
ninety-fifth ballot Of the long contest.
and when Lee o. Neil Browne, the minority
leader, swung his forces into line for the
Republican chieftain the friends Of Lori
mer were fairly beside themselves with
10Y Not to be outdone by their rivals.
she Sullivan faction of the Democrats,
n spite of its recent declaration Of pur-
pose to stick to Stringer, also cast its vote
for the Chicago Congressman. perfecting
a political amalgamation the like of
which never before has been seen in this
State.
Thus ended one of the most stubborn
and prolonged political battles in the
history Of Illinois politics. The election
Of Iorimer makes him the ruling political
power in Illinois. say party chiefs. His
victory means complete rout for Albert
]. Hopkins, who hung on to the last,
The deadlock has been on here since
January 10, when both houses took the
first ballot in the separate branches with
out any one receiving constitutional
majority of l03 votes. The official vote
showed this result: Lorimer, los; Hop
kins, 10; Stringer Dem). %.
Fifty-five Republicans and fifty-thrce
Democrats made up the Lorimer total,
which was five more than constitutional
majority and six more than a majority
OF all voting.
After the roll call had been completed
four Hopkins men changed to Lorimer,
making his total ll2.
The smashing of the deadlock was
attended with the widest sort Of demon
strations, one near riot the passing OF the
lie on the minority side Of the House and
q food of oratory that brought forth
rounds Of applause from the galleries,
which we're packed to suf7ocation.
When at last the members and the gal
leries knew that the lO7d vote had been
cast for the Congressman the excitement
became boisterous and the further calling
Of the roll had to be suspended for some
minutes.
Mr. Hopkins took his defeat with forti-
tude and arose to the occasion. He not
only addressed the Assembly but went
back to the Speakers room later and
extending his hand to Mr.. Lorimer con-
graduated him and wished him success.
WAsHINoroN, May 2s.-There was keen
interest in official circles in the balloting
for Senator at Springfield to-day. Repre-
sentative Lorimer is almost as well known
in Washington as is ex-senator Hopkins
He has served in the House several terms
and has been active in national politics.
There was much sympathy for Mr.. Hop
kins.
Not the least interesting feature is
the fact that Hopkins and Lorimer were
once Close friends, and Lorimer. who
worked valiantly at one time to make
Hopkins Speaker Of the House and oon-
tributed more than any one toward max
with the Senator last year and is credited
with the political undoing Of Hopkins.
There was much comment on the re-
suit Of the primary election system Of
indicating a choice for Senator. In
Wisconsin the richest candidate. who
chosen over the candidates Of the. men
who were active in securing the adop-
ton Of the primary system. In Oregon
a Republican Legislature was obligated
to elect a Democratic Senator In Illi-
nois Senator Hopkins won in the prima-
ries by $1,000 over his nearest competitor
and was also indorsed by the Illinois
Republican convention.
When he returned to Washington after
the primaries Hopkins expressed the
fullest confidence that hewould be chosen
on the first ballot.
Senator Hopkins had attained a con-
spicuous place in the Senate. He was
a member Of the Committee on Finance.
and after his term expired his colleagues
invited Senator Cullom to take the place
on the Finance Committee for the pur-
pose Of holding it until Mr.. Hopkins
could be returned. Mr.. Hopkins had
also won the Craftsmanship of the Com
mittee on Census and was very active
in the Committee on Interoceanio Canals.
He had developed into a very forcible
debater and was rapidly becoming in
fluential In the Senate.
The election of Mr.. Lorimer fills the
last vacancy existing in the Senate.
When the Sixty-firSt Congress began
there were three vacancies on the Re-
publican side. This will give the Re-
publicans the advantage of one additional
vote for the tariff bill, although the test
votes heretofore taken have demonstrated
that 1t is hardly needed.