Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-31
C0PLEY FOR
[0R|MER TO
BEAT HOPKINS
Aurora Congressman Said
He Helped Senator's Elec-
ton; Induced Sullivan to
Head Off Democrats.

yestigation committee hearing evi.
dence on the election of Senator Lori
mer reconvened this morning after
having enjoyed recess of all but
three hours OF the last three days.
The first scheduled witness was Con
gl essman Ira g. Copley Of Aurora, the
millionaire aide of Gov. Deneen who
explained his inveterate opposition to
Albert j. Hopkins In 1903.
3. D. Shurtieff and Lee O'Netl
Browne were within call Of the com
mittee expecting to be called after MIR.
Ccpley.l
Congressman Copley testified that
he talked with Lorimer regarding the
senatorship in December, 1908. Il
met Mr.. Lorimer in Chicago and he
told me he was dissatisfied with the
attitude of Senator Hopkins ] told
him l believed the next senator would
be elected on nonpartisan vote
Regarding the primary law, Copley
said the people wanted 1t, but Tile
politicians did not.
"The Interpretation of the primary
law" said the witness, was such that
it gave an opportunity for individual
action. Although instructed for Sen
ator Hopkins. many members Of the
legislature voted for him but once
and then turned to other candidates.
Hopkins personally was not popular"
did you know or hear that the cleo
tion Of Shurtleff as speaker was part
OF the plan to elect Mr. Lorimer to the
senate?"
"No but it had its effect on the SEN
atorial situation. 1t was part of the
plan to defeat Hopkins. At that time,
Mr.. Lorimer was not a candidate.
Copley said that after Senator Hop
kin's majority had been broken, Cop
ley was for Gov. Deneen, until he fin
ally refused to be q candidate.
Speaker 6hurtleff was willing to
take the. senatorship," he said, "but
he suggested Mr.. Lorimer could get
more votes and was moro logical
candidate.
4 Attended Lorimer Conferences
This was three or four weeks before
the election OF Mr.. Lorimer.
II took part in two conferences be-
tween then and the election, and with
Shurtleff and others advanced Lori
mer's candidacy" he said.
He said he did not take part in the
conference which determined the day
on which Mr.. Lorimer's name was to
be presented. and that he 'did not
learn of the matter more than fifteen
minutes before the legislature con-
yened that day."
The witness said he talked from
Springfield with Roger C. Sullivan in
Chicago when 1t was reported that
Senator Hopkins had pledges from q
number Of democratic members Sulli.
van, the witness said. "came to Spring
field and told his democratic follow
ers they must not vote for Hopkins"
Copely asked to correct statement
by James Keeley of the Chicago Trib-
une on the witness stand In Washing
ton last summer.
s'Mr. Kelley told as fact that said
Fred Blount was in Springfield with
a bag of money he said. Now
heard that story simply AS rumored
and so told Mr.. Keeley. I did not see
Blount any time that session.
Dodges Corruption Question.
Ibid you believe there was money
used In that session in q jackpot or
other form to corrupt legislation?'
4 wouldn't like to answer that
question. / have no knowledge person
ally to back up such an assertion. +"
"'When Lee O'Neil Browne told me
that the deadlock would be broken, in
his opinion. by the election Of Hop
kins." said Copley. II got very busy
with Sneaker Shurtleff and Mr.. Lori
mer. i told Shnrtleff that we must
settle upon some one candidate to de-
feat HOPKINS and we decided upon
Lorimer."
Congressman Copley said he consid-
cred that there was no possible oppor-
tunity for the election Of a democratic
United States senator.
"The republicans had a majority in
that legislature and for that reason
they feared they could. not justify
in voting for minority
candidate" said Copley.
Copley said that he spent $4,000 or
$4,000 as expenses in the primary
campaign against Senator Hopkins in
the congressional campaign and in the
campaign for Senator Lorimer. He de-
MED that any of this sum was used
corruptly.
"That sum represented my personal
expenses and the personal expenses OF
q few friends" said the witness.
STAYS IN JAIL.