The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-30
Says He Was Paid 81, 900 to Sup
port Lorimer.
OUT OF BIG JACKPOT
He Swears He Received $9OO
More at a Later Date.
He Is Specific as to His Da tes
Names and Places.

Chicago, April 30.-According to a
copyrighted story printed this morn
ing in the Chicago Tribune, the news
paper has in its possession a sworn
statement by Charles A White, a mcm-
ber of the lower house OF the Illinois
legislature from the Forty-ninth dis
trict, charging William Lorimer was
elected to the United States senate last
May by bribery and corruption. White.
who is a Democrat. in his statement.
says that he received $1,000 for voting
for ISorimer. This money. he alleges,
was paid him by Lee O'Neil Browne.
Democratic leader of the last legisla-
ture.
White also says that he received $500
more from the Jackpot a term ap-
piled to an alleged general corruption
fund distributed at the close OF each
session Of the legislature. The $500.
White alleges, was paid him in st.
Louis by Robert E. Wilson, also
member of the legislature.
According to White he was first ap-
preached by Browne on May "a, 1909.
while the voting was going on for
United States senator. A deadlock had
existed for sometime. Browne asked
White if he would vote for Lorimer and
White said Re could and would. On
May %. they net again and Browne
said he would pay $1,000 and a share of
the jackpot for Whites vote for Lori
ner, according to the statement.
On the next day Lorimer was elected
on joint ballot, many Democrats voting
for him and White was among this
number.
White says Browne paid him 800 in
the next week at Springfield. Later, in
Chicago, White alleges, Browne paid
=
received the last sum White says that
Browne had $4,000 in a belt.
On July 15. White says he met Wilson
in the Southern hotel in st. Louis, in
response to a telegram and received
5000 as his share of the Jackpot" White
says no met other representatives in
wilson's room just before he received
his money.
According to White there was general
dissatisfaction among the members OF
the legislature he met in st. Louis. be-
cause they did not get more out OF the
Jackpot" but that was explained by
the fact that $4,000 was lost to the
Jackpot" because of the failure of GER
tain legislation to go through.
Efforts made to reach Senator Lori
mer and Representative Wilson were
unsuccessful.
At Senator Lorimer's country home
at McHenry, I'LL. a woman answering
the long distance telephons declared
the senator had gone out" and would
not be back until afternoon Repre-
sentative Wilson was said to have left
his home here as early as 1880 o'clock
this morning to go Somewhere on the
North side"
Lee O'Neil Browne Democratic
leader of the house of representatives
at Springfield, shouted over the tele-
phone from his home at Ottawa:
Remarkable! These charges are
You should look this man
White up. I don't know him very
aI1f his Ynafl1ndS dnnft
like to discuss them. Mr.. White should
remember In making these charges
that hold and doubtless other mem
bers of the assembly hold his notes for
small amounts-'touches.' These and
some other notes will help to show
what caliber of man it is makes these
charges
''I will state fatty that L never re-
ceived or spent a nickel in behalf OF
Senator Lorimer one way or the
other"
At Springfield Governor Deneen de-
clared that a searching investigation
IF the charges is due the people OF
States Attorney Wayman sent for
White in connection
with the latter's confession.
It is believed that White will be
asked to tell his story to the special
grand jury ordered to report next Mon
day. In stating his reasons for desir-
Ing the special inquisitorial body Mr..
Wayman particularized the charges OF
John c. Fetzer that money had been
used in furthering legislation desired
bv the Chicago & Western Indiana
Railroad company. but added the words
for such other purposes.
Mr. Wayman was familiar with tho
White allegations when he asked for
the grand jury and the ''other pur-
ooses'' presumably include the hearing
of Whites story.