The sun., 1910-05-03
The Tragedy Of William LOrimsr.

/ II the Hon. WILLIAM LOBIMFR Of llli-
nos owed his election TO the United
States Senate 10 one or two Democratic
Legislators tho little cloud upon his title,
like a mans hand, that has arisen O,lt
Of Waveless sea, might have the look Of
a storm rack portending total eclipse
But Mr. LORIMER was elevated 10 the
Senate by hfty-threa Democrats and
ifty-hve Republicans, a glorious bipar-
tisan victory, testimony 20 personal
worth and TO long and valuable service
a. Washington such a. no other member
Of Congress could inscribe in his biog-
raphy. And the calltoMr LORINER was
peculiarly hattering because the choice
Of the Republican party for Senator. as
recorded in a State primary, was his
old friend and ally the Hon. ALBERT j.
HOPKINS, who had 5000 votes to spare.
The Legislature, Republican By fifty
on joint ballot. had received it, mandate
from the people. vet il rricCted their idOi
and from modest Obscurity dragged the
reluctant LORIMER and made him Sena-
tor in the stead Of HOPKINS. In blush
ingly rOturning thanks for the honor
and the reward Mr.. LORIMER pointed
ont the reasons for his nOn-partisan
success:
Receiving the votes Of the two great parties
Of tas country IL . new precedent In ths history
Of this great Commoaueslth. Every ncmocrai
ihat vsssa isF ne day knss shs, he 80 ysaag
for Repubiican. Every Republican that voted
Tor ne knew that hs Was yotinE for = man Who
believed 10 the prn-plss Of he great narty
such condition as sEiss In this great hall cSuld
aot have obtained twsaU yean ago. but ne
parties have been crossing N their great pFtn.
riples closer and clossr together every day unul
row vs are separated ~ iust . few great prh-
ciplss and that vhirh has conunusd ihs chssm
between ths grsa, parties ls the ahs issue
Over that chasm ffty-,hres Demo
Gratis had made a PontoOn Of their
bodies for the glory and advancement
Of WILLIAM tho Silent, Did statesman
ever have a prouder hour? AbatinR
none Of the treasured principles that
constituted him a Republican. making
no overures TO the traditional enemy. a
mere looksron in Springfield and con-
scious n his unitnesS 10 represent Illi-
nois in the Senate. WILLIAM LORIMER.
who had had no schooling and been sign
painter. newsboy. street car driver by
turns, was now summoned 10 follow in
the footsteps ~ LYMAN TRUMBULL
The unsolicited honor won and MIR
LORIMER at ease and apparently secure
in his -eat in the Senate. an attsmpt 70
made to tarnish his title by one of the
great body NJ Democrats who joined
in his election. a fellow without shame.
who declares that he received a bribe If
money 10 vote for Mr.. LORINER. Sharp
and indignant comes the senator's de-
NAL from his summer home AZ Pistarkes
Bay, where he il resting from his eIact-
ing labors in The Senate. Mr. Lori
MRS distress IA poignant. He had
many votes 10 spare when he was
elcCted by the Legislature, for there was
stampede from HOPKINS when the
deciding vote was cast for unassuming
WILLIAM JORTMER, There are people
who will suspect at least this, that m
intrigued tn supplani his old friend and
ally. even II they do not believe the per-
fdiDus Democrat: and that il what
hurts. LCt District Attorneys bestir
themselves and grand juries investigate.
Senator LORIMER can point with
pride 10 his following Of more than fifty
Democrats in the legislature. including
the Speaker of the House elected by a,
combination drawn from both parties.
But the sting remains in the wound.