Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-23
CHAMPIONS L0R|MER
Senator Gamble Holds His
Election Free of Fraud.
ENOUGH VOTES UNTAINTED
Election Valid, He Contends, With
the Ten Thrown Out.
TERMS CONDITIONS DISGRACE
Admits Corruption Was Prevalent,
But Says It Applied to Legis-
lative Matters

Admitting freely that there was cor
ruption in the Illinois legislature that
elected William Lorimer to a seat in
the United States Senate. Senator Gam
Die this afternoon on the floor of the
Senate defended the legality of the
election on the ground that there was no
testimony worthy Of belief to show that
the corruption funds were used and were
intended to be used in the election of
Senator IIorimer.
Il am not here to give countenance to
or to approve the proceedings. the record
or the methods pursued in the legislature
OF the state of Illinois, said Senator
Gamble, after reviewing at length the tes-
timony of the main witnesses. The evil
dence is uncontradicted that a system of
corruption and malfeasance has been
practiced for many years in the lesisla-
ture of that state. 1t appears money has
been coerced and received by members
OF the legislature for unlawful and I'M
worthy purposes.
Free Use of Money.
Money appears to have been demanded
and received for the promotion or defeat
OF legislation, irrespective Of it's merits,
and the funds so secured have been held
and retained and the sum distributed to
members Of the legislature after adjourn
ment
mo testimony to my mind worthy Of
belief did disclose that funds raised for
this purpose were used or were intended
to be used in the matter of the election
OF a United States senator. However
reprehensible such practices are and
were to the committee, it was felt they
should not invalidate a lawful election of
a senator otherwise lawfully made, with
out bribery or corrupt practices in con-
nection Herewith.
such conduct and such debauchery Of
the legislature of a sovereign state should
be left, it occurs to me, with the people
OF that state to deal with through its
courts, It's legislature and its duly con-
stituted authorities for such purposes, as
we'll as the electors in the selection of
the membership OF its legislative bodies.
Accused Members Reelected.
Mr. Gamble pointed out that investiga-
lions Of the election Of senators have been
made by grand juries and indictments re-
turned, but no convictions have been
secured, and that three OF the men whose
votes are alleged to have been tainted
were reelected to the legislature recently
by enlarged majorities.
ible that the fifty-three democrats who
voted for Mr.. Lorimer when he was
elected were purchased, and he cited an
instance in his own state when republi-
cans voted for the populist candidate for
senator to elect him, and pointed out that
no charges OF corruption followed.
1T further occurs to me-, Mr.. Gamble
continued. had the fOrty-siXth general
assembly Of the state of Illinois been free
from suspicion as to matters generally
denominated the Jackpot as we'll as prior
had it had the reputation 1t should pos
sess, the charge made against the cleo
ton Of Senator Lorimer would not have
been made or forced with such assurance
or with such tenacity of purpose.
Senator Lorimer has behind him the
certificate of a lawful election. He has
been admitted upon it, has taken l.e
oath of Office and is a member of this
body The presumption Of law as to his
election and it's regularity is In his favor,
and the burden of proof is upon those
who assail It, In a matter OF such hgh
concern strict proof should be required.
7 deprecate the disclosures made III this
investigation. They are reprehensibie. re-
voting, and are deserving of the seVerest
condemnation and censure. l feel the
state of Illinois owes duty to itself and
its people to relieve itself from the stain
cast upon It by the action Of certain mem
hers in its legislature. 1t is for that
hody for it's own courts and Its people
TO assert themselves in securing a higher
order and character of legislative methods
and practices.
Lorimer Should Not Suffer.