Omaha daily bee., 1910-05-05
Lorimer Investigating Body Calls
Democratic Legislators on Carpet
to Tell of Deal.
CHARLES WHITE FIRST WITNESS
Senator Albert E. Eisley of Newton
Also One to Testify.
WAYMAN COLLECTS EVIDENCE
Fifteen Legislators Will Appear at
the Inquiry.
COLLECTS EVIDENCE
W. E. MASON READY WITH STORY
Defeated Candidate for Lorimer'S
Place Makes Bold Assertion
Many Places i'm Upper
House Are Bought.

CHICAGO, May Ain the special grand
jury investigation Of the alleged bribery in
connection with the election Of United
states Senator William Lorimer. the first
witnesses today were Representative
Charles White who alleges he accepted
1000 to cast his vote for Iorimer; Senator
Albert +. Eislcy Of Newton. who made the
first speech in the legislature denouncing
Lorimer as a candidate, and Representa-
tive Henry Il. Sheppard of Jerseyvile.
Representative Thomas Tippet of Olney
was present in the state attorneys office
Tippet was a candidate for the minority
leadership against Lee O'Neill Browne, who
is alleged by Representative White to
have disbursed the so-called Lorimer "sush
fund" The three Legislators, all of whom
are democrats, said thoy were present in
answer to kilograms from the states at
torney.
Tippet and Sheppard voted for Lorimcr
but Isley held out for the democratic can
Gidate, Steinger
To reporters, Mr.. Eisey said he would
testify as to common gossip at Spring
field that democratic votes were being
sought with money in behalf of the Lori
mer candidacy.
That States Attorney Burke of Sauga-
mon county, of which Springfield is the
county seat intends to push an independent
inquiry into the bribery charges was made
evident here today.
WRyman Finds witnesses.
Il have two democratic state repre-
sentatives who will give important evil
dence before the special grand jury in
regard TO the alleged bribery in the
election of William Lorimer United
states senator" said States Attorney John
Wayman today on his return from a mys-
ferrous visit to st. Louis and the southern
part of Illinois.
These witnesses will appear before the
grand jury on Saturday and tell some i'm
portant things about the election of Mr..
Lorimer." continued Mr Wayman. Il ~am
not at liberty to give their names. but I
will say they are members of the state
legislature, whose names have not been
mentioned thus far in the investigation.
Their identity will be a surprise
Il brought no one back with me. 1 left
Murnane of my office in ST Louis to finish
up the work there. The two men in ques-
tion will positively appear before the jury
on Saturday.
Il consider that my trip to st. Louis has
been highly successful. l have nothing
more to say"
Mr.. Wayman disappeared after the grand
jury session Monday and did not say where
he was going. 1t was not known here until
word came from St Louis last night that
he was there. The grand jury was in ses-
sion only short time and no evidence
was heard in the Lormer case because of
Mr.. Wayman's absence.
MasOn's Declaration.
Il believe that 50 per cent of the seats in
the United States senate can be said prac-
tically to have been purchased"
THIS statement was made today by former
United States Senator William +. Mason
in the course of an interview in which he
urged the election of United States sena-
tors by direct vote OF the people
| y morning paper quote Senator Mason
as saying that he had heard at Springfield
before the election of Mr. Lorimer that
the honor was for sale and that the sena-
| torial toga would go to the highest bidder.
Mr.. Mason, however, today denied that he
| had made any such allegation.
! Mr.. Mason was a candidate for the sena-
| torship but withdrew his name before the
| last vote. when Mr.. Lorimer was chosen
! At his office today, States Attorney Way
man said he expected fifteen state repre-
! sentatives and senators would appear be-
fore the grand jury before it's sessions
were concluded.