New-York tribune., 1910-06-25
JURY HAS BROWNE CASE
Accused of Paying Bribe to Elect
Senator LOrimer.
WAYMAN'S ARRAIGNMENT
Judges Charge Leaves Jury
Open to Acquit Illinois Legis-
lator in Case of Doubt.

Chicago. June N.-It has been many years
since an Illinois jury has been called on
to consider a verdict of greater political
Importance than that one which to-day re-
tired to consider the charge or bribery
against Lee ONeil Browne, leader OF the
Democratic minority of the Illinois House
of Representa- tives. The specihc charse
was that Browne paid Charles A White
$1,000 to vote for William Lorimer for
United States Senator.
Receiving no report from the jury room
of a probable verdict late tonight Judge
w H. McSurely went home, after issuing
instructions that the verdict. If reached,
should be sealed and returned in court to-
morrow.
In instructing the jury, Judge McSureiy
stated that the uncorroborated testimony OIL
an accomplice meaning White) might De
considered, but it should be received with
great care and caution, and carefully
weighed. Should the jury believe that any
of the states witnesses testified because of
immunity from prosecution TINS also
should enter the consideration of the case.
To find Browne guilty, the court said, the
evidence must establish beyond reason
able doubt all of the following propositions:
First, whether on June Is, 1909, Browne
"
the Briggs House. at Chicago, the sum of
$3.50.
Second, that said sum was given to
White in consideration of his having voted
for William Lorimer pursuant to corrupt
agreement Heretofore entered into between
Browne and White, and by which White
agreed to vote and Browne agreed to pay
him.
If the jury retained any doubt on these
two points, the court added, it must find
the defendant not guilty.
States Attorney Wayman occupied the
greater part of the day in making the clos
ing argument for the state. He declared
that the defence had attempted to answer
the three confessions introduced by the
state by an attack on him personally ana
on other things generally.
but they cannot paint Browne white by
painting White black" the prosecutor
shouted. and the spectators Uttered at the
play on words. wen admit White is
black; but Browne is blacker," Wayman
added
Springfield. Ill, June A.-Telling how, in
response to a telephone call from chicago,
he visited the office of State Senator Corbus
p Gardner of Mendoza, and was told by
Gardner that II WOulu cost SlV,cuV W obtoiAi
certain legislation, H. S. Green, of Morfl-
son, was a witness before the Sangamon
County grand jury to-day
Green and E. c. Smith, banker, of Nor
rison, were interested in bill which would
allow the condemnation of overflow lands
for the purpose of building dams The
measure passed the Senate, but was de-
feated in the House. Representative R'iey'
Of Joliet, asserting that the bill would
interfere with plans for the deep waterway.
Green said his conversation with Gardner
was in substance as follows:
DO YOU know that it will cost money to
procure the passage of your bill?" Gardner
said.
ITO this | replied | did not know such
was the case. and Gardner then said, Well
don't think You are as green as your
name
Il then asked him how much it would
cost to pass the bill. and he told me slO,poo
explaining the money would be used as
attorneys fees Those interested in the bill
were not disposed to raise the $4,000, and
told Gardner the state of affairs 1t was
only a short time after this that the bill
was killed