Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-04
Wholesale Purchase of Seats
in United States Senate.
WILLIAM E. MASON'S VIEWS
Progress of Investigation of the
Lorimer Case.
EVIDENCE BEFORE GRAND JURY
Important Revelations Expected tt
Be Made by Fifteen Witnesses
Next Saturday.

CHICAGO, May Ar believe that So
per cent Of the seats in the United
States Senate can be said to have been
practically purchased"
This statement was made here today
by former United States Senator Will
liam e. Mason. in the course of an
interview in which he urged the elcc'
ton of United States senators by direct
vote Of the people.
A morning paper quotes Senator Ma
son as saying that he had heard at
Springfield before the election OF Mr.
Lorimer that the honor was Tor sale,
and that the senatorial toga would go
to the highest bidder. Mr.. Mason. now
ever, today denied that he had MADE
such an allegation.
Mr.. Mason was g. candidate 1or the
senatorship, but withdrew his name De-
fore the last vote, when MT. Lorimer
was chosen.
Fifteen Witnesses Expected.
At his office today States Attorney
wayman stated that he expected that
fifteen state representatives and sena-
tors would appear before the grand
Jury before it's sessions are concluded
The FIRST witnesses today were Rep
resentative Charles A. White. who al.
leges that he accepted $1,000 to cast
his vote for Lorimer; Senator Albert ~
Isley Of Newton, ILL, who made the
first speech in the legislature denounc'
ing Lorimer as a candidate, and Repre-
sentative Henry A. Sheppard OF Jersey
Vile, ILL.,
Representative Thomas Tippet OF
olney. Ill. was present in the states
attorneys once. ~,
minority leadership against Lee O'Neil
Browne, who is alleged by Represen-
tative White to have disbursed the SO.
called Lorimer "slush fund. me tnree
legislators, all Of whom are democrats
said they were present In answer te
telergams from the states attorney.
Two Votes for 1orimer.
Tippet and Sheppard voted for Lorimer
hnt Islev held out for the democratic candi.
late, Stringer. Sheppard is one OF those
alleged by White to have been at the
Southern Hotel, st. Louis, when th'
Jackpot composed of miscellaneous
brides was distributed.
To reporters Mr.. Isley said that HI
would testify as to common gossip ~
Springfield that democratic votes were
being sought with money In DenaiI o.
the Lorimer candidacy.
That States Attorney Burke OF Sanga-
mon county, of which Springfield IS the
seat, intends to push an Independent IN
uuiry into bribery charges was Hldue CYL
dent here today, when subpoena was
served on White, commanding MS ap
pearance before the Sangamon county
grand jury next Monday.
81 have two democratic state repre-
sentatives who will give important evl
dence before the special grand jury II
regard to the alleged bribery IN the
election of William Lorimer as United
states senator" said States ATTORNEY
John Wayman today on his return IRON
a mysterious visit to ST. Louis and INT
southern part of Illinois.
"Will Say Important Things"
..These witnesses will appear before thu
Grand Jury Saturday and tell some I'M
portant things about the election OF Mr.
Lorimer," continued Mr.. Wayman. u
am not at liberty to give their names, but
I will say they are members of the state
legislature whose names have not beer
mentioned thus far in the investigation
Their identity will be a complete sur
prise.
II brought no one back with me.
left Detective Murnane Of my office In
st. Louis to finish up the work there
The two men in question will positively
appear before the grand jury Saturday.
IT consider that my trip to st. Louis
ILL. nnFr al "a ~ h