Omaha daily bee., 1910-05-08
THREE BILLS IN BRIBERYCASE
Members of Illinois Legislature Held
for Bribery or Perjury.
DEMOCRATIC FORCES SHAKEN
Lem O'NeIII Browns IL Leader of
Party in Lower House-white's
Charges Have Begun 60
Bear Fruit.


CHICAGO, May Lee OMEN Browne OF
Ottawa, democratic leader OF the Illinois
house OF representatives was indicted on
a charge Of bribery and Representative
Robert f. Wilson Of Chicago and Repre-
sentative Michael s. Link Of Mitchell, were
indicted on charges Of perjury here today
by the special grand jury which, for a
week. has been investigating the election
on May 2s 1909. OF william I,orimer OF
Chicago TO the United states senate.
The charge upon which the indictments
we're returned in Judge Kersten's court was
supplied by Representative Charles A.
White Of O'Fallon and Representative H.
J. C. Beckemeyer Of Carlyle. Wilson and
LINK as well as White and Reckemeyer
are democratic members Of the legislature
Specifically. the bribery charges against
Browne il based on the charge that he gave
Representative White $50 in a hotel in
Chicago late in May, 1909, as alleged COM
pensatlon for Whites vote for Lorimer for
senator. The perjury charge against Link
IL based on his testimony before the present
grand jury, May g. last In this testimony
Link is alleged TO have sworn that he was
not in st. Louis. Mo-. July Is 1909. and
that he did not there meet Representative
Robert f. Wilson OF Chicago. The grand
jury declares that It finds upon investi-
cation that Link was In st. Louis on the
date and did meet Wilson
The jury further declares that Link will
fully perjured himself after full realization
Of the value OF his statements in the
investigation.
ST. Louis Hotel Incident.
The perjury charge against Wilson Is
based on his testimony given before the
members of the grand jury May 5. The in
dictment alleges that Wilson testified that
he did not hand sums of money to Repre-
sentative White and Representative Becke-
meyer in the Southern hotel at st. Louis,
. July IS, 1909. The grand jury states in its
investigation that 1t finds that Wilson did
hand money to both White and Beckemeyer
In 81. Louis on the date specified
Immediately upon the return OF the three
indictments JudR Kersten fixed Browne $
bail at $1,000 that of Wilson at $4,000 and
that OF Link at 5000. Another Indictment
not bearing upon the Lorimer investiga-
ton, but in connection with another case
OF alleged legislative bribery, was returned
by the jury against william J. Henley.
former president of the Chicago & Western
Indiana railroad This indictment charges
Henley with embezzlement OF the railroad
funds.
1t Is direct outcome Of charges made
by John C. Fetzer, who declared that a
''slush fund" had been in the Legislature to
secure the passage Of railroad legislation
The specific bill was house bill IT, validat-
Ing a 900 bond issue made by the Chi.
cago g. Western Indiana railroad.
Fetzer said that a slush fund OF $212 0O(
was distributed among legislators by agents
OF the road
Following his indictment, Representative
Link was taken into the private office OF
states Attorney Wayman where he wa,
closeted with the public prosecutor for sew
ersl hours. States Attorney wayman, 4
is said, is trying to secure a confession
from Link that the prosecutor thinks will
strengthen the testimony OF White ant
Beckemeyer.
Sensational Election.
The session of the legislature that ele
waited Lorimer to the senate was one O.
the most sensational in the history of tn,
state II had been preceded by genera
primaries at which both parties recon-
mended candidates for the senstorship.
Senator Hopkins. then the incumbent re
ceived plurality OF votes over ex-Gov
ernor Richard Yates, Congressman Edmund
Foss and others
Congressman Lorimer had not been ,
candidate, but came forward when It be
came plain that no other choice could b.
made with the assistance Of democratic
votes he was elected,
Whites story in substance was tina
Browne approached him at Springfield an,
offered him 200 to cast his vote for Lori
mer. White, in his confession, declare
that he accepted the money with the pur
pose of showing beyond doubt corruption
existed In the legislature.
At the same time. White admitted h
spent the money which was given him II
three lots of $50 each and one OF $3.50. ThI
feature of the confession in the eyes O
states Attorney Wayman weakened tn
story as legal evidence. particularly a
Lorimer, Browne and others raised a choru
of alleged blackmaf.
The confession OF Beckemeyer therefor
was received with the greatest satisfaction
by the prosecution Beckemeyer uphel
White on the essential points, It is alleged
OF having accepted $1,000 for his vote 70
Lorimer, of having been at st. Louis a
the time another alleged Jackpot wa
distributed and OF having accepted a shar
equal to that Of Whites
Seven Illinois legislators were present 4
the Illinois criminal court building toda
when the grand jury was In session. The
were, II. J. c. Beckemeyer, w. C. BIai
Daniel D. Donahue, Joseph II. Clarl
Henry A. Shepherd, Michael s. Link an
Charles A, White. In addition. the wido,
and two childVen OF the late Represents
tive Charles $. Luke were in attendanc,
Luke, Breckemeyer, Link and Shepherd al
alleged by White 10 have been at S
Louis when the 'jack-jot," made up
the proceeds of various purchased legislr
tion was distributed.
None of the men indicted in the Lorim,
case would talk for publication tonight.
Mr.. Browne, talking over the long -di
lance telephone from his home at Ottaw
declined to state when he would come
Chicago. senator Lorimer declared he he
no statement to make at this time,