Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-06-08
BROWNIES DEFENSE SHAKEN
Illinois Man, Indicted for Bribery,
Finally Brought to Trial
REFUSED APPEAL FROM DECISION
Denied writ of Habcas Corpus and
Remanded to Custody of sheriff
Formal charge Against
Lorimer.

Lorimer.
CHICAGO, June Lee O'Neil Browne.
indicted on charges of bribery in connec-
ton with the election of William Lormer
as United states senator, was finally
brought to trial before Judge McSurely IN
the criminal court late today. after the de-
Tense had exhausted every means within
it's power to delay the case. When court
adjourned at $50 D. M, the state had ten
dered four prospective jurors to the defense
The trial viii be resumed at 10 o'clock
tomorrow morning
Despite technical fight by his attorneys,
Browne was brought into Judge McSurely's
court shortly after noon, on a forthwith
capias The trial then began in perfume
tory manner, but none OF Browns counsel
would enter court and all remained in an
ante room Judge McSurely finally add
lourned court until tomorrow.
The busy day opened when Judge Kick
ham Seaman denied the application of the
defense for a writ of habeas corpus. The
main contention OF the defense was that
state legislators while sitting in joint
assembly 10 elect a United States senator
we're not state officials, but federal off
cials and therefore amenable only TO the
federal courts.
Defense Loses Point.
The counsel for the defense waited until
States Attorney Wayman and his assist
ants had left the court room and then for
mer Judge Elbrldge Hancey filed a petition
for an appeal from the decision, While Mr..
Hancey was making his argument for the
appeal. Judge McSurely was waiting for
Browne in his court to begin the trial.
When Browne did not appear Judge Nc
Surely issued forthwith capias for him,
and also declared his original bond of $4,000
forfeited. When it was explained that
Browne was still in Judge Scanlan's court
awaiting a decision on the appeal Judge
| McSurey ordered service on the capias de-
layed
After listening 10 Mr.. Hancey's argu-
nlents for some time, Judge Seaman said
that he would give his decision on the
| application for an appeal at p. nj.
| In the meantime Judge McSurely ordered
the capias served on Browne Browne was
found in the offices OF Mr.. Hancey and
taken before Judge McSurely. Brownies
counsel refused to go into court on the
| grounds that Mosurely had no jurisdiction
over Browne, while Judge Seaman was
entertaining the motion for an appeal.
Denies Habe0a CORPUS
! At 2 O'Clock Judge Seaman announced
that he would not grant the appeal from
his decision for a habeas corpus writ Tit
defense then made motions for an ap
peal. leave to file a bill of exceptions
leave to file an assignment, of errors anC
leave to file a bill Of exceptions with thu
illinois supreme court, but all were deniet
by the court. Exception to these ruling
/ of,, 4 4,
Judge overrued them. vs.
/ Browne was rcmanded to the custod.
of the sheriff and taken to the crmina
court for the opening Of his trial. Charlie
A White, Brownies principal accuser, ant
Browne met at the entrance to the crimina
court building, but neither noticed tn
Before the examination OF the venire
men was started. WIS. Forrest, for tn
defense, made formal motion that Brown
be discharged from custody Judge Nc
, Surely Immediately denied the motion.
: Formal Charges Filed.
WASHINGTON, June 7-Formal charge
} against Senator William Lorimer O
) Illinois were laid before the senate thi
afternoon by his colleague Senator Cul
ION. The proceeding was the presentatlo
| u
Chicago, president of the Illinois legisls
tive voters league, embodylng the charge
OF bribery of members of the Illinois legis
lature
The memorial was read only in par
and was referred without comment to tn
committee on privileges and elections.
The Barnes memorial is a very Ion
document, embodying the confessions {
White and Holstlaw that they were bride
to vote for Lorimer; the bribery indie
ment against Lee O'Neill Browne an
] otherwise summarizes the allegation
r heretofore published as affecting Lorimer
election.
This memorial now places formt
charges before the committee, and
basis of action, which it has not ha
before
LOriImer VIII Not Talk.
CHICAGO, June 7.-Senator Lorimer.
his offices In the new La Sale street ban
read the Washington dispatches relatir
to the charges. His face. expressionle
during the reading, relaxed into a smile
the conclusion and he asked
What would you have me say?"
J. Just what you think" was the repl
We'll this is my answer now, and ne
: time; / will discuss neither the subje
y matter, the manner In which II is broug
up or handled there or elsewhere, nor Il
l. persons who have a hand in handling
/ am very busy banking, these days Go,
, afternoon"
Traut Before Grand Jury.
SPRINGFIELD, H., June Through
two hours grilllng before the grand jur
n Frank ]. Traut OF the Beardstown FL
IS company today remained mistaken in
y assertion that he spent for legimate pu
X poses money which had been contribut
81 by Illinois fish men to defeat the fishi
y license bill.