The National tribune., 1910-05-12
SENATOR LOREMER.
The Alleged Bribery Scandal-The
Senate Awaiting the Action of
the Grand Jury.

The Senate is watching the develop
ments of an alleged bribery scanda
which may involve the seat of United
States Senator VIM. Lorimer, of Illinois
Thus far it has been State affair. but
there have been confessions purpOrting
to indicate that Lee O'Neil Brown. mi
nority leader of the Illinois House oi
! Representatives, accepted $1,000 foI
voting for the election of Mr.. LOTime1
to the Senate The latter was elected
| by combination of Democrats and
Republicans.
Three or four members of the Legis-
lature have become involved, and n
| special Grand Jury is now sitting. If
| the men are indicted and convicted, it
| is question whether the Senate Com
| mittee on Privileges and Elections may
not have to take cognizance of the sit
uation and inquire into the right of
Senator Lorimer, who used to be a
street car driver in Chicago and who
has grown to be a great political chief
tain in Illinois, to hold his seat. His
majority was very narrow, and if il be
shown that a handful of votes were in
reality purchased the validity of the
election can be brought into question
Mr. Lorimer took his seat during the
extra session of Congress last Summer
following a prolonged deadlock in the
Legislature.
Quite as interesting as the investiga-
tion of the alleged cases of bribery will
probably be the showing up of the Hi
nois Legislature. Thus far the disclos-
ures affect in the main Democratic
members of that body; but it is general
ly conceded that the Legislature at
Springfield has been one of the worst
bodles IN the country for number of
years. The scandals in the conduct of
legislative business are said to have
been quite as pronounced as in the New
York Legislature, which is also under
investigation. The Grand Jury inquiry
is expected TO prove the opening wedge
Tor obtaining information OF an au-
thortattve character regarding opera
tions at Springfield in recent years.
Previous Investigations.
If the Senate Committee on Privi-
ieges and Elections takes cognizance OF
conditions leading up to the election of
Senator Lorimer. there viii probably
be prolonged hearings. Some very
famous contests affecting the seats of
Senators have been heard before that
committee. The last was that involving
the right of Senator Reed Smoot. of
Utah, to seat. The objection to him
was based chiefly upon religious condi-
uons in Utah. whereby he was said to
haVe-oWed his selection for the Senate
to the Mormon Church. Some years
prior to that there was prolonged in
NestlSatlon Of Senator VIM. A. Clark, of
Butte, Mont, the copper king, who was
accused of having used money undulv
in his campaign before the Legislature
After long consideration of the
charges the Senate found against SEN
ator Clark, but he returned to Mon
tana, waged another campaign and was
elected once more. Then his creden-
tials were not questioned by the Senate.
and he served thru his term
Senator Lorimer is known as a hard
fighter. and he will undoubtedly give
his accusers a hard tussle in Ill. .is.
He claims that the charges were
brought forward by enemies to balk
him in some financial projects, includ-
ing the establishment of bank upon
which he is embarking. He has been
quite figure in Congress for many
years, as he served in the House for l3
years before his election to the Senate.
He has developed into one of the
shrwdest politicians in Chicago, and
has maintained himself in the tumultu-
Gus political game of that city.
1t is unlikely that the Senate will
take any cogniZance of the manner of
his election until after the Grand Jury
has reported, and, if indictments are re-
turned, till after the defendants have
been tried. That means nothing will
likely be done at this session. In Wash
lngton there is a disposition to absoIye
Adr Lorimer from any guilty complica-
tlon IN the matter. While he is known
as a politician, the impression has been
IN washington that as a legislator he
mas Deen square and also Independent