The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

came the plant tool of the Tribune in
this timed and malicious attack"
Defending Charles Luke, a deceased
member of the legislature, aaginst
charge that he had been beneficiary of
his 0orimers) bribery, the senator told
how Mr. Luke, a democrat had risen
from practically his deathbed to vote for
him. republican, but without other
motive than friendship.
Standing in this historic chamber, In
a place of high honor, to which my de-
parted friend did all IN his power to assist
me, l would he said, ''be untrue to our
friendship and my high regard for him
If did not hurl this malicious, heartless,
satanic lie back into the foul mouth that
uttered it."
He asserted that Representatives Link
and Beckemeyer had not made confess
sions, as had been charged. but on the
contrary said that the charges stand as
they stood April 80 the uncorroborated
lies of the Tribune, supported only by
the bought signature of their weak tool,
White.
Newspaper Accused
Senator Lorimer went on with vehe-
mence to assert that the Chicago paper
lied and knew 1t lied" in charging that
money was used to purchase his election.
mot one dollar was paid to a single
vote for me- the Senator declared and
he added that when the truth was known
everybody would understand that the pub
| lication of the article by White. "a part
of political conspiracy to drive me out
| of public life, to ruin me financially, be-
cause | will not do as other republicans
| in Illinois have done-place myself under
| the absolute control and dictatorship of
| the Tribune"
| He declared that by subserviency he
could at any time have made his peace
| with the newspaper.
| Senator Lorimer gave his version of his
senatorial campaign and election. He
| declared 1t was upon the suggestion of
Governor Deneen that he had entered the
| field and then only after he and the gov
ernor had besought others to make the
race.
The Senator went clear back to tho
Blaine campaign of 1884 and to a ward
contest in Chicago for the alleged genesis
Of his disagreements with the Chicago
| newspaper.
Political Hsstcry
At very great length Senator Lorimer
| described Chicago political development.
In 1902 he said Governor Deneen, then
county attorney, and other friends urged
him to make his peace with the Tribune.
when they were poor and in need OF
help he said, they were anxious and
even against the constant assault of the
newspaper trust, but after they had be-
come prosperous and affluent, they felt
they could stand the lasfrfng no longer
and ran to the newspaper cover and have
been subservient since that time"
Coming down to modern times, he de-
cJared that "all of the power of the city,
county. state and federal administrations
under the leadership of Senator Hopkins,
Governor Deneen and Mayor Busse as
sembled into a misfit organization COM
bined to destroy the organization con-
trolled by Lorimer, with intent to give
control to the Tribune
He attributes his breach with Governor
Deneen largely to a difference of opinion
between the two as to the wisdom Of
spending independently of action by the
national government the s20000.00o pledged
by the state toward the deep waterway TO
the gulf project, which the governor ia
vored and he opposed.
Preparation of story
He asserted that the governor person
ally advised in preparation OF the Wnite
story In the Tribune. He went on to say
the governor Joined this campaign OF
SANDER because he saw an opportunity to
throw dust In the eyes of the people, use
the conspiracy to defeat those who STOOD
for federal cooperation in expanding the
$50 100000 and secure control OF the next
Legislature.
'Why he persists in his efforts to get
control of the s2D,0O0,0o0 when he well
knows that it in itself is not sufficient
to construct a waterway is a mystery
that ! cannot fathom.'
Senator Lorimer further attacked the
Chicago Trlbune's policy in opposition 10
the Payne Aldrich tarln, which ne at
tributed to its failure to put on the free
list wood pulp, which would have saved
the Tribune $4,000 year. This, he said
rs the only tax we have any record OF IN
which the Tribune pays its just share.
He also charged the Tribune establish
ment with being the beneficiary of the
Chicago educational board by collecting
extra rental of sl7,5OO year for it's quar-
ters in the Tribune building and ss4oW
through alleged differentiation OF us
site. owned by the city. He charged the
newspaper with benehtting thus to the
extent of $151,500 year.
1.-THE purpose of these charges. ne oe-
olared was to disgrace and destroy my
friends and myself, whom they rhe TIL
hume, cannot control, and to come into
absolute control of the republican party IN
Illinois and to secure themselves IN con.
.inrad rI,nde airing of the public treasury.