Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-09-09
INVITATION WITHDRAWN
BY THE CLUB COMMIT TEE
His Own Organization Turns Down
Man involved in Bride Scandal Be-
cause Roosevelt Objects to His
Presence at the Dinner Given in
Chicago.
(By Associated Press1.

dOre Roosevelt today barred Senator
William Lorimer from the Hamilton
Club banquet at The Congress hotel,
by refusing to sit at the same table.
The incident came 1lnheralded. The
program Of the event had Tor days
announced that Senator i.orimer ana
others would sit at the speakers table
with Colonel Roosevelt
The occurrence startled politicians
here and over the state. The unpre-
cedented demand that the Hamilton
Club deny TO one Of It's own members
the privilege of attending the banquet
came with characteristic abruptness
from Colonel Roosevelt.
The Hamilton Club delegation,
headed by former Judge John H. Bat
ten. president Of the club. Joined Col
onel Roosevelt AT the fair grounds in
Freeport, Ills. shortly after noon. The
colonel a! once began questioning
members of the delegation concern
ing the banquet.
inquiries About Loriner.
Is Speaker Cannon TO be therey'
he asked
Yes" Mr.. Batten replied. "he has
accepted the invitation"
How about Senator Iorimer?"
Senator Lorimer is a member of
the club he was told "and he has
accepted an invitation TO the dinner"
Then ! must decline to CO." said
Colonel Roosevelt. adding hat he
would feel the same about the pres
ence Of Senator Lorimer as he would
sitting down with members of the I'LL
nois legislature who are under indict-
ment in the graft investigation.
The committee members looked
Their amazement and finally, after
some hesitation. informed their guest
that they would go back to Chicago
and tell Senator Lorimer his views.
NO" Colonel Roosevelt replied en-
phaiicaily Send him a telegram
telling him thar | will net attend>tbe
dinner tonight IL he is there"
Invitation Withdrawn.
me OtlfSdtlpn Ol ffdu1lltOU ttut
were perplexed Their embarrass
was apparently NOT noticed by Mr..
Roosevelt. who chatted with others
standing nearby. while the periurbed
delegates consulted what TO be done.
After some interval the following tele-
gram was drafted and dispatched 10
Senator Lorimer:
"Colonel Roosevelt positively de-
clines II sit at the same table with
you. Our invitation to you for this
evening is therefore Withdrawn
The committeeman were taken by
surprise and their discussion of the
event did not cease with the sending
OF the telegram 10 Senator Lorimer.
Judge Batten. as tine spokesman OF
the party. said:
The club had invited a number
OF prominen, Republicans. among
them the Republican governor Of Hit
nois and various congressman and u
had not occurred 80 the men who ar
ranged the dinner that they should not
invite Republican senator.
Under the circumstances there is
nothing for US to do except 10 respect
The wishes q Colonel Roosevelt, the
guest Of the evening
Members Appear Relieved.
All the members of the delegation
appeared relieved when they were IN
formd. on arriving in Chicago. that
Senator Iofimcr wouli no; attend the
hanq1ct.
on the gtree;. tn Offices. and in pub
lie buildings the tdings caused much
comment. par cularly among those
who noted that the ban against Sena-
tor I.nrimer was coincident with the
completion of the second trial % leo
O-NcH Browne. minority leader % the
legislature. charged with bribery IN
connection vi'h the election Of the
junior senator from Illinois
LoriTner shows no Surprise.
" senator william Lorimer was sur
priced a. the refusal Of Colonel Rocse-
welt 70 sit a. the banquet table Win
him no indfcstiou ~ 70 escaped him. nj
h. was displeascd or bur at the frank