Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-22
FIGHT OVER LOR|MER
EXPECTED IN SENATE
Question of Corruption In His
Election Regarded as Far
From Being Settled.

That the question Of corruption in the
election of William Lorimer a. United
States senator from Illinois is still fal
from settled. despite the filing OF the COM
mittee report clearing Mr.. Lorimer's title
to his seat. is the growing belief around
the Capitol.
1t had been hoped until q few days age
that the report Of the committee on priv.
ileges and elections, which made the In.
vestigation OF the charges Of corruption
in connection with the Lorimer election
would be unanimous In favor of Mr.. Lor.
inner. There Is now q possibility tina,
two minority reports will be filed and q
strong probability that at least one Sci
Of minority views will he presented. Sen.
I ator Frazier. member of the subcom-
mittee which conducted the probe, is un-
able to concur in the conclusions OF the
majority that Mr.. Lorimer is entitled tc
his seat Senator Beverage is making a
close study of the entire record in the
case and may conclude that the majority
views are Unjustified.
Fight to Be Carried to the Floor.
That the fight which developed in the
committee will be carried vigorously to
the floor Of the Senate there is now nc
doubt. In insisting that the Senate pass
upon the Lorimer case, Senator Beverfdge
lis expected to precipitate a struggle.
Should he conclude that he cannot agree
with the majority report after studying
the record, and file minority report. he
will have considerable support upoa the
eressive senators, at least, will lend a
helping hand.
Senator Beveridge is devoting his time
almost exclusively to studying the Lori
least until after the holidays. His con-
illusions are expected to have much
weight among his colleagues. Other sena-
tors. too. are looking into the record of
the case, with a show me- attitude with
regard to the majority report
Seven Tainted Votes, Says Frazier.
Senator Frazier, too, is not expected to
be alone in his view Of the case. He
takes the position that Mr.. Lorimer re.
ceived only six votes more than the ma
jority necessary for election; that the
testimony indicated that four members OF
the Illinois legislature received brides in
addition to the three who confessed that
they were paid money, and that there
were therefore seven Lorimer votes that
were tainted. With those votes invalid.
Senator FRAZIER nOiOS, MI LOrlmer ulo
not receive a majority.
some OF the democrats are looking into
this view, and 1t is not unlikely that
Senator Frazier will have several sup
pOrters on the floor of the Senate.
With trouble brewing In these several
directions, it is generally conceded that
lively fight on the adoption or rejection
of the Lorimer committee verdict Is as
sured.
Questions Being Asked.
The several questions which senator's
not committed by the committee action
are asking about the case are summed
up as follows:
Did the investigation committee pursue
their probe with thoroughness. SO as tc
determine the extent of corruption. II
any. in the election?
How many votes according to the ties.
timony, were tainted?
Was the number Of tainted votes sufi-
cient to cut Mr.. Loriner's vote below
the necessary majority?
Is the election Of a United States sena-
tor valid, if proof of any corruption, even
Of Onlv ona vote is nrOduced2