The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-06-01
MORE TROUBLE FOR MAJORITY
LORIMER NATTER GIVES RE-
PUBUBLICANs ANXIETY.
Charge That Illinois senator Was
Elected by the Use of Bribe Money
Overshadows Every Other Phase OF
Present Congressional Situation as
Affecting the Dominant Political
Party-what VIII BE the Outcome? /?

Washington. May 26.-The political
situation was never more interesting
in Washington than just now, with
the Democrats having their hll of en-
joyment at the expense of their Re-
publican brethren.
The Republicans have beeh in deep
water ever since the present session
OF congress openedi December. That
big government deficit. the fierce OBJ
lection to the Aldrich- Payne tariff
law, the troublesome work OF the "in-
surgents"-all these are causes that
gave the majority party annoyance
before others were added. Now there
are still more dilemmas and either
horn looks like a bad one. The pos
tai savings bank bill Is not worrying
the Democrats in the least. while. on
the contrary, II Is giving the Republi.
can members OF congress--both in
the house and senate--no end Of
trouble. But added TO this Is the
worst OF all trouble because 1t Is
strictly within party llnes--the fact
that unless Senator William s. Lori
mer. Of Illinois. can purge himself OF
the allegations connecting him with
bribery work In his recent election,
when he defeated former Senator
Hopkins, he must. without doubt, face
charges Of grave nature before a
court composed of his present col
leagues in the senate.
So far as the postal savings bank
Is concerned there Is little use to dis
guise the fact that neither the bank
ers nor the people generally through
out the country want It. So far as
the former are concerned there has
been sufficient testimony presented to
congress already to show that the en-
actment of such a bill cannot do 9TH
er than work largely to the detriment
OF these nstittuions-especiall the
smaller ones conducting savings de-
posit departments on a limited scale
- The question Is being asked here,
why n Is necessary for the govern
ment to become the guardian Of sew
eral million people and take care of
their earnings In order to encourage
thrift as the purpose OF the postal
savings bank bill undoubtedly is? 1t
Is pointed out that IL the people have
been able to take acre OF their small
savings up to this time they will prob
ably be able to do so hereafter.
The Lorimer case presents several
interesting features. Unless he can
clear himself from the grave charges
lodged against him he will undoubt-
edly be forced TO resign from his seat
In the senate. There are both Re-
puolicans and Democrats who say
that for the good Of the senate gen
orally Senator Lorimer must give a
clean account OF his doings In the IL
linois legislature I'm connection with
his election. Failing In this he Will
be allowed to resign. and declining
to take advantage of this opportunity.
VIII be impeached.
The fact that Senator Lorimer re-
mained In his rooms at a hotel here
for many days before going to the
senate. gives clear and positive indi-
cation that he believes there Is trouble
In store for him. His case Is much of
mystery here, and while he is not
considered of any special weight by
his colleagues. there will undoubtedly
be a clearing up of the situation dur
Ing tho next few days. unless Senator
Lorimer can do so himself. IL Is now
believed that he will make a speech
In the senate. but that it will not be
satisfactory. Then II will be neces-
sary for a special committee of inves-
tigation 10 be appointed--somethi
like the Ballinger- Pinchot committee
or that Investigating the existence Of
a ship subsidy lobby here. That Mr..
Lorimer Is TO be investigated and that
this investigation may prolong the
present session OF congress many
weeks Is one OF the strong probabiu-
ties at this time.