The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-29
Investigate Lorimer Case


"On September 10 the subcommittee of
the Senate committee on privileges and
elections will meet In Chicago to take up
the investigation of the Lorimer case. l
hope that we shall be able to conclude
In two or three weeks. The members of
the subcommittee are Senators Bur-
roughs, Willngham, Gamble and Hey
burn, republicans. and Senators Frazier,
Paynter and Johnston, democrats. If the
committeeman do not agree. Senator
Frazier will prepare the minority report.
Il shall spend every day in Alabama
that I am not engaged In necessary work
elsewhere and l hope to devote most of
October and November to visiting the va
rious sections of the state and keeping In
touch with Its prograss and necessities.
| shall give such time as l can to the
campaign, whenever the state committee
may think it necessary or advantageous
1.-THE democratic senators were never
more cordially united and harmonious
and never so hopeful Of success in the
elections this year and in 1912 as now.
We confidently expect the next House to
be democratic and to make such gains
In the Senate as to be able to defeat par
tisan or bad legislation and TO secure
needed amendments to existing laws:
and particularly after March next year
to put an end to the extravaganza and
our ever-increasing appropriations.
WASTE of Public Money
Senators Aldrich and Hale have freely
admitted that we are spending annually
at least 100000 600 more than is necessary
and yet have either not undertaken to
reduce this enormous waste or have been
unable to accomplish It.
Just before I left hearing was had
before a committee of which am a mem.
ber civil service and retrenchment and
1t was stated without denial that 27OC
clerks, drawing salaries from $4,000 were
actually unable to do any work or render
any service whatever, but were carried
on the rolls, practically as pensioners
contrary to law.
What we need is a clean sweep to get
rid Of these drones. reduce expenses and
pay fair salaries for efficient service
Were such a course followed l doubt not
$50, 900, 900 could be lifted from the shout
ders Of men who produce, and 1t would
be unnecessary to seek new subjects and
schemes OF taxAt1On tnat rail- TO operate
equally on all classes. The multiplication
of offices continues New courts and
commissions are created. and when once
created 1t seems impossible for the domi-
rant party to shake the benehcaries
from the public teat. That Is not consid
cred factor In the increased cost oil
living by the majority, although every
one knows that the increase Of taxation
is a vital fact in the necessary expense
We have nearly a million pensioners, and
II we shall be unable to put an end to the
creation of new offices We shall add an
other million soon to the men who must
be fed out of the earnings OF laborers and
producers.
"If the democrats when they come into
power do not put a sharpened knife into
these abuses and carve out this extrav-
aRance and waste, they will not have de.
served success and should be swept from
power. I believe they will do their duty
and ease these burdens. If they do no,
put an end to this waste, extravaganza
and corruption. I prefer that they should
meet a deserved rebuke and leave TO the
republicans a continued monopoly ir
these as in other lines