The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-09-20
Congressional Committee Named
to Investigate Case Meets at
Congress Hotel in
Chicago
DELAY IN TAKING TESTIMONY
Thought That Additional Light Will
Be Thrown On Inner Workings of
Illinois Legislature.-Much in
terest Is Manifest.


the Illinois senatorial scandal. which
has already attracted much public
attention through ex-President Roo
sevelts direct rebuff to United States
senator William l.. Lorimer, is ex-
pected to be brought to light by the
congressional committee which has
been sailed to meet at the Congress
Hotel I'm this city today to begin its
investigation of the charges made
against Lorimer In connection with
his election to the senate. Owing TO
the inability of the members of the
committee to arrive on time and the
absence of some whose testimony Is
desired II may be several days before
the real investigation begins. When
IL does get under way. according to
those who may have been pushing the
charges against Lorimer, the scandal
surrounding the political career of the
"blonde boss' and especially the cir
.cumstances surrounding his election
to the senate, will be shaken until its
bones rattle. on the other hand, SEN
ator Lorimer has many friends and
followers who predict that the charges
made against him will prove flash
in the pan, or plot hatched by his
enemies to bring about his political
downfall. Unbiased opinion, however
inclines to the belief that a thorough
investigation will reveal an interest
ing story concerning the Illinois iegis-
lature and it's ways of doing business,
OF how some Democratic members
have been at the beck and call of the
Republican bosses when legislation
measures of a certain class were pend
ing. and of various other peculiar
conditions which have been known TO
exist for years but which heretofore
have never been dragged into the
light.
History of the Case.
william I,orimer. for years the Re-
publican boss of Chicago and MEM
ber of the national house of repre-
sentatives, was elected by the ILLINOIS
Legislature n United states senator
year ago last spring. after dead
lock had existed for over four months'
defeating Albert j. Hopkins, the
choice OF the Republican party at the
primaries and of the legislators in the
senate.
Representatives Charles A. White'
of O,Fallon, a small town In 81. Ciaii
County, who voted for Lorimer' pu.
into manuscript form what ne aiieseu
10 be the inside history of the Lorimer
election. 1t was sold to a Chicago
newspaper and published. White COM
fessed in his story. which he caiieu
"The Jackpot" that he hac received
$1,000 from Lee O'Neil Brow--e, DEM
ocratic leader In the lower house. ior
his vote for Lorimer and $s9 as MS
share of the jackpot fund. The SECOND
payment, he said was made In 81
louis nv state Representative Robert
t.. Wilson of the sixth district, Chi-
cago.
Confessions And Acquittal.
An investigation was made anu
White and the man implicated py MN
were taken before the grand jury
Representative M. c. Beckemeyer then
confessed that he had received sl'ooo
from Browne for his vote for LOTT
mer. Representative Wilson. VINO de-
MED that he had paid any money, was
indicted for perjury. Representative
Michael s. Link was also indicted anu
the confessed that he had receiVeo
81 600 to vote for Lorimer.
ON MAY 2s Senator Lorimer mace
speech I'm the senate at washington
In which he asked for an investisa-
ton. He charged that he was the VIC
tim of a conspiracy. He referred W
Rrowne as IAN honorable, uprish'
God fearing man." The matter was
referred to the Committe on PriVi-
ieges and Elections.
Lee O'Neil Browne. alleged 10 nav
been tho man who distributed the
J,orimer funds, was placed on triai III
Chicago on a charge of bribery anu
the Jury, after remaining OUT i,'
hours, failed to agree ana was u
missed. Browne was again put on ,'i',
and the Jury brought In veruie' "
not guilty on the same day ina, eN
President Roosevelt created sens,
tion by refusing to attend the h""''
ton Club banquet in Chicago un'ees
the invitation to Senator Lorimer was
recalled.