Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-18
PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION
EXPECTED IN FEW DAYS
Referred to Senate Contingent Ex-
penses Committee.
DELAY IN THE INQUIRY
Understanding Is That the Conclu-
sions Will Be Submitted at the
Opening of the Next Session.

An investigation by a Senate COMMITTEES
of the charges of bribery and corruption
in connection with the election of Sena-
tor William Lorimer of Illinois was prac-
tically assured today by action taken by
the Senate committee on privileges and
elections.
Senator Burrows. its chairman was In
structed by the committee to report favor
ably resolution directing the committee
or subcommittee thereof to make in
Quiry into' the charges-a substitute for
the resolution presented to the Senate
by Senator Lorimer himself. The reso-
luton later was reported to the Senate
and. under the rules, was referred to the
committee to audit and control the con-
tingent expenses of the Senate A favor
able report from that committee Us ex-
pected in few days, and the passage
of the resolution will Immediately follow.
Delay in Beginning Inquiry.
Some members of the committee wanted
the resolution to specify that the investi-
CATION should proceed at once. but II was
stated that it had ueen the unvarying
custom of the Senate not to interfere Or
embarrass proceedings when any phase Of
the subjects of inquiry was pending be-
fore the courts. The fact that charges
against certain members of the IlliooiS
legislature are now before the courts will
result in delay in beginning the inquiry.
but il is the understanding that a report
will be made at the beginning of the next
session OF Congress in December.
Senator Burrows will act as the chair
man of the investigating committee, .
motion by Senator Bailey to such effect
having been adopted unanimously.
Provisions of Resolution.
The resolution provides that the COM
mittee on privileges and elections of the
Senate or any subcommittee thereof be
authorized and directed to investigate GER
tain charges against William Lorimer, a
senator from the state OF Illinois. and to
report t0the Senate whether In the elec-
tion of said William Lorimer as a senator
of the United States from the said state
of Illinois there were used or employed
corrupt methods practices; that said
committee or subcommittee be authorized
to sit during the sessions of the Senate
and during any recess OF the Senate or
of Congress-, to hold its sessions at such
place or places as ii shall deem most con-
venient for the purposes Of the investiga-
ton. to employ a stenographer, to send
for persons and papers and to administer
oaths; and that the expense of the in
quiry shall be paid from the contingent
funds of the Senate, upon vouchers ap-
proved by the chairman of the commit
tee"
The main part of the original resolu-
ton presented by Senator Lorimer him.
self provides that the committee on
privileges and elections be directed to ex-
anime the allegations recently made in
the public press charging that bribery
and corruption were practiced in the cleo
ton OF William Lorimer to a seat in the
United States Senate and to ascertain
the facts in connection with these. charges
and report as early as possible"
Wide Scope Allowed.
The resolution framed by the commit
tee this morning is designed to allow
the inquiry to take the widest scope, so
that all the facts concerning the election
of Senator Lorimer will be made public
While the original resolution limited the
10 charges made in the pub
lie press, the substitute resolution does
not recognize any particular charges.
The substitute will allow the investigat-
ing committee to hold its sessions in Chi
cago or Springfield. This was considered
by members of the committee to be ad-
visable as the witnesses to be heard viii
then be nearby and easily available.
There is also provision for the admins
tration of oaths by the members of the
committee, an omission of the original
resolution.
A subcommittee Preferred.
pressed by the adoption of a formal mo-
ton, that the investigation of the Lori
mer election should be made by Q sun-
and not by the full commit
tee, and it was generally agreed that
there should be on the subcommittee
seven senators-four republicans anu
three democrats.
Senator Burrows, chairman OF the COM
mittee, will have the naming of the IN
yestigating committee in his hands, but
the committee, on motion of Senator
Bailey gave instructions that the chair
man of the full committee should be
the head of the subcommittee. should
the ranking members of the committee
be named to conduct the probe, the sub
committee will be composed Of Senators
Depew, Beveridge and Dilling-
ham, republicans, and Bailey, Frazier and
Paynter, democrats
The discussion around the committee
table today indicated that the fnvestiga-
ton will be conducted in Chicago.