Omaha daily bee., 1910-05-01
Accused of Receiving Money for
Voting for Official.
GOVERNOR DENEEN IS ON WATCH
United States Attorney Wayman
Gives Out Statement.
wPARTIEs SUMMONED TO APPEAR
Browne Accused of Having Paid
Money for Vote, but He
Denies the state
ment

CHICAGO April S0.-(Special Telegram,)
Political foundations were shaken today
in a big bribery scandal following SEN
sational charges printed in the Chicago
Tribune that $1,000 each was paid certain
members of the legislature in electing Will
liam Loumer United States senator and
that there was in existence an additional
slush fund. The disclosures stirred ma
tional, state and county centers and pros
poets for an official congressional investi-
cation at Washington and the possibility
OF an extraordinary session Of the general
assembly to probe the sensational allega-
tion loomed up. States Attorney Wayman
gave out a statement declaring he had
summoned the author Of the charges to
come to Chicago to be questioned.
Governor Deneen, who left Chicago at
noon said he would watch developments
closely. The attorney general is also look
ing into the case Charles A. White a
labor leader and democratic member Of
the legislature from Mclean county, con-
fesses that he received 1900 for voting for
Lorimer He further states that he re-
ceived $500 in addition his share Of the
'slush fund" which sets forth his charges
in an article, Copyright 1910, by the
Tribune company; all rights reserved"
Blow to LOrimer.
The disclosures came on the eve of the
onening of Senator Lorimers two financial
institutions, the LaSalle Street National
bank and the LaSalle Street Trust com
pany. Lorimer was reported to be in the
woods of Wisconsin today on an automobile
trip when the big sensation broke loose.
Senator Lorimer rushed back from his
country home at McHenry this afternoon.
over the long distance telephone 1t was
stated that he had left there at 1 p. m. In
reply to the confession of White the SEN
ator said:
''This attack is a surprise to me. I do
not understand why such a thing should
be printed. / am sure that nobody gave
any money to anyone in the legislature on
my behalf to White or any one else.'' ''F3*
Lee O'NeH Browne, minority leader Of
the house, is accused by White of having
paid $1,000 for his (white's) vote for Lor-
imer tt
Browne at the Briggs house today denied
the charges. The 5000, White alleges was
paid him in st. Louis by Robert E. Wilson,
also a member Of the legislature.
Charges end counter charges Of dirty
politics rent the air today following the
publication of Whites confession. Friends
of Lorimer were not ready to be quoted.
Some OF them were ready to say that
friends Of Governor Deneen were RESPONSE
bio for the sensation.
Break of the Deadlock.
| According TO White he was first appointed
| by Browne on May "a, 1909, while the vot-
ing was going on for a United States SEN
ator. A deadlock had existed for some
time. Browne asked White II he would
! vote Tor LorImer and White said he could
Browne said he would pay $1,000 and a
share Of the Jackpot" for Whites vote
for Lormer, according to the statement.
on the next day Lorlmer was elected on
| Joint ballot, many democrats voting for
him. and White among this number.
I White says Browne paid him 500 the
next week at Springfield. Later, in Chi
cago, White alleges, Browne paid him $50
and then $780, At the time he received the
| last sum White says that Browne had
1000 in a belt on July Is, White says he
| met Wilson in the Southern hotel in st,
| Louis in response to telegram and re-
ceived $500 as his share of the Jackpot"
| White says he met other representatives
! in Wilson's room just before he received
his money.
According to White, there was general dis
! satisfaction among the members of the
! legislature he met in st, Louis, because
they did not get NOSE out of the Jackpot"
but that was explained by the fact that
5000 was lost TO the Jackpot" because
OF the failure of certain legislation to go
| through.
LOrImer Out of Reach.
Efforts made early to reach Senator
Lorimer and Representative Wilson were
unsuccessful
At Senator Lorimers country home at
McHenry, ILL.,, q woman answering the long
distance telephone declared the senator
had gone out and would not be back until
afternoon Representative Wilson was said
to have left his home here as early at 7:3O
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