Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-12-21
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ELEc-
rloNs FILES ITS REPORT ON
BRIBERY CHARGES.
CHARGES LoRIMER AccusER
WITH ATTEMPTED eAckMAlL
Takes Refuge Behind the
Failure Of Evidence to CONNECT
Senator Directly With Bribery Acts
-severidss Refuses to Sign Report
and Will Call Matter Up Later.

committee on privileges and elections
today filed its report on the investiga-
tion OF alleged bribery in connection
The report recites that Lorimer re-
ceiyed los Of the 202 votes cast, and
then discusses the question of what
constitutes a constitutional majority.
concluding that a majority of quor-
UNI of each house is sufficient to elect.
The committee says the senate has al
ready held that, to invalidate the cleo
ton Of q senator on charge OF brlb-
cry. it must appear that he participated
in or attempted bribery, or that by
bribery enough votes were obtained for
him to change the result of the elec-
tion. Testimony is quoted showing
that counsel for the Chicago Tribune
twho conducted the inquiry against
Lorimer) announced that he did not
acts OF bribery.
No Connecting Link.
The committee directs attention to
Lorimer's denial in open senate Of any
act Of bribery on his part in connec-
ton with his election to the senate.
The committee then declares:
There was no testimony offered
during the investigation which would
tend in the remotest degree to implicate
Lorimer in any personal act Of bribery
or attempted bribery. or corrupt prac-
tices Of any nature"
The report says the investigation was
directed to the claim that several legis-
tors were bribed to vote for Lorimer
and II sufficient number were so
bribed to render Lorimer's election in
valid
White 10 Scored.
The report says four legislators testi-
fled to receiving money for their votes.
White, Link. Beckemeyer and Hoist
law. The committee accuses White OF
corruption thruout his legislative ca
reer, and that he appears TO have con-
ceived q plan of claiming to have been
bribed in connection with the senatorial
election as basis for the extortion OF
money from Lorimer."
The majority then concludes that no
credence should be given Whites tes-
timony.
Hide Behind Majority.
The report comments In detail upon
the cases Of Link. Peckemeyer and
Holstlaw. The committee says that.
conceding these four were bribed to
vote for Lorimer, there is nothing to
show that any other members Of the
legislature we're so bribed, and declares
there are no good grounds for deduct
ing the votes of Browne, Broderick and
Wilson from those received by Lor-
finer. The committee fnds that Lor-
imer's majority In the joint assembly
was fourteen. that if it were admitted
that the four legislators above named
were bribed to vote for Lorimer. and
their votes eliminated. he still had a
majority and his election was valid.
Not Committse's Business.
The committee, commenting on the
alleged payment Of money to legislators
by Wilson. says that whether such
money was paid or not the fact had no
relevancy to the matter the committee
was appointed to investigate.
The report concludes: "The commit
tee submits to the senate the testimo ony
taken in the investigation with their
report that. in their opinion. the title
Of Lorimer to a seat In the senate has
not been shown to be invalid by the
use or employment Of corrupt methods
or practices.
Not Unanimous Report.
The report as presented was not
signed by all members of the committee.
altho 1t did not appear that there was
any minority on the floor OF the senate.
However. Beveridge stated that he had
not been able to concur with or dissent
from the findings because Of volumin-
Gus character of the testimony. He
said he would digest the proceedings
Of the investigating committee during
the holidays. He asked that specific
time be named for acting upon the re-
port, but objection was made by Gal
linger, on the ground that the matter
was privileged and could be called from
the table at any time by the senator.
Frazier May File Report.
The statement Of views sent to the
committee by Frazier. member of the
sub committee, was not flied with the
report. I. was stated that Frazier had
asked that It be withheld and that he
should be permitted to file q minority
report, IL he should desire to do so,
later.