Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-28
NO BR|BES GIVEN,
LOR|MER DECLARES
Illinois Senator Is Bitter In
Speech Denouncing Those
Who Accuse Him.
CALLS ON SENATE TO
MAKE INVESTIGATION
Chicago Tribune Bought the White
Affidavit, He Asserts.
CONSPIRACY CHARGE MADE
Asserts Plot Exists to Ruin Him Po-
litically and Financially.
Tells of Threats.
Chicago Tribune Bought the White
Affidavit, He Asserts.
CONSPIRACY CHARGE MADE

Strenuous denial of the charge that he
had obtained his seat in the United States
was made before that body today by
William Lorimer OF Illinois. Soon after
the assembling of the Senate Mr.. Lorimer
arose to a question of personal privilege
and began his reply to the charges that
have aroused wide interest His state
ment upon the floor of the Senate had
been eagerly awaited by his colleagues
of whom there was practically a full
attendance. and earnest attention was
given him.
Mr.. Lorimer confined himself closely to
his manuscript. He spoke in distinct tone
of voice. and, notwithstanding his
delivery was somewhat monotonous, he
commanded close attention.
House Members Hear Him.
Included among the outside auditors
was practically the entire Illinois delega-
ton In the House of Representatives. Mr..
Lorimer's colleague. Senator Cullom, also
was among the interested listeners.
Senator Lorimer spoke from his seat IN
the rear OF the extreme right side Of the
chamber. When the suggestion was made
that he should take more central posi-
ton he said he considered it preferable
for present purposes to speak from his
own seat.
Foremost in the answer Of the senator
<n th0 hoV ctn <hax a.
had been formulated by the Chicago
Tribune with the purpose of destroying
a new banking association in that city
which Mr.. Lorimer has organized. Con-
cluding. he offered resolution calling
for a senatorial investigation OF the
charges against him. this resolution being
as follows:
Calls for Investigation.
Resolved. That the committee on priv
ileges and elections be directed to ex-
anime the allegations recently made in
the public press charging that bribery
and corruption were practiced in the
election of William Lorimer to a seat
In the United States Senate. and to
ascertain the facts in connection with
these charges and report as early as DOS
sible; and for that purpose the commit
tee shall have authority to send for per-
sons and papers and to employ a stenog-
rapher and such other additional help
as 1t shall deem necessary"
In opening. Mr.. Lorimer said:
"Mr. President, 1 rise to a question
OF personal privilege to state the facts
concerning anu the reasons for the most
recent assault made upon me by the
Chicago Tribune. with the intent to
blacken my character with the people OF
the country. and to destroy me and my
friends. financially and politically
He then detailed the fact of the Tri-
bune's publication. April 1 last. of a story
over the signature of Charles A. White.
a member Of the Illinois legislature, in
which it was alleged that he had pro-
cured his seat in the senate through
bribery and corruption.
Attack on His Bank.
II have been compelled" he went on
Ito defer my return to the Senate owing
to the fact that the story was timed and
published with a deliberate purpose to
destroy a new banking association in
Chicago which l have been organizing
with some of my friends. The assault
was made to prevent the bank from
opening. 1t utterly failed Of its purpose.
but 1t required my constant attention To
build an impregnable bulwark around the
bank to safeguard the interest Of those
who have intrusted their funds to the
care OF my associates and myself against
any malicious or vicious assault that
may be made against IL by the Tribune.
Relating that it had been charged that
the bribe had been paid through Lee oNell
Browne, the democratic leader of the Illi-
nois house OF representatives. he defend
Mo- q or
patton in such a proceeding.
He declared that Medill Mccormick or
the Tribune had threatened that the bank
never should open, and also asserted that
White did not write the story, as had
been claimed. but that 1t was 'the work
of q trained newspaper hand, skilled in
the art of creating scandal out OF lies
when it Is thought necessary to olacken
the character of one whom the newspaper
cannot control.
Passed on by Lawyer.
1T is also plain to be seen.'' he went
on, that every word was passed upon
by a lawyer before it was signed by that
poor, low creature White. who does not
hesitate to commit forgery for a few
dollars, and to whom perjury is no crime.
who is a part of the lowest fringes Of
depravity. and who TO secure money to
satisfy his instinct for debauchery sold
what little was left of his manhood and
became the plant tool of the Tribune in
this timed and malicious attack
Defending Charles Luxe, deceased
member of the legislature. against a
charge that he had been beneficiary Of
his (Mr. Lorimer's) bribery the senator
told how Mr.. Luke. a democrat. had risen
from practically his deathbed to vote
for him, a republican. but without other
motive than friendship.
Senator Lorimer then proceeded with
words Of bitter invective and
epithet in an attack upon Medill Nc
Cormick personally.
He asserted that Representatives Link
and Beckemeyer had not made confession.
as had been charged. but on the contra
ry said that "the charges stand as they
stood April 30. the uncorroborated lies
Of the Tribune. supported only by the
bought signature Of their weak tool.
White"
Departing for the time from particular
lzation, Mr.. Lorimer continued:
when the Tribune said that I had Of
fered or given money TO any member OF
the legislature, or that any. money was
offered to any member of the legislature
for his vote for me. it lied, and it knew
it lied. Not one dollar was paid TO