New-York tribune., 1911-01-07
PLANNING LOR|MER FIGHT
How a Senator May Be Expelled
or UnSeated.
LEGAL PHASES OF CASE
Contest Expected to Begin on
Monday and Be Settled at
Present Session.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6-Whether IL would
require a two-thirds vote or only ma"
FORTY OF the Senate 20 unseat Wiliiam
r>orimer as a Senator from Illinois is an
interesting question which has arisen IN
the contest about TO be waged. The an
swer depends upon whether the opposi-
ton 10 Mr.. Iorjmer seeks to connect hin,
with any corrupt practices or merely az
tempts TO show that he was the benehciary
of corruption for which he was in no man
ner responsible.
Senators who have made close stuoles
of election contest cases agree that II
the resolution TO unseat Mr.. Lorlmer shouiu
contend that he was personally involved IN
the bribery charges the only course "ouiu
be TO vote on expulsion. to carry "hich
two-thirds OF the Senate would have to
be recorded in the affirmative.
II the motion were 10 declare the cleo
ton Of Mr.. Lorimer invalid and void ana
Il was admitted that there was no evidence
10 connect him with bribery, only ma
iority vote OF a quorum Of the senate
would be required to adopt or reject the
motion.
Under the first situation, or that which
would connect a Senator personally with
corrupt practices, 1t is said that the con-
test must be between the Senate and the
individual Senator under charges. while In
the second case the contest would be be-
tween the Senate and the Legislature which
elected or the Governor who appointed the
Senator involved
II now looks as II the fight would be
opened i'm the Senate on Monday without
fail, although Senator Bevoridge has not
yet said that he intends 10 file a minority
report from the Committee on Privileges
and Elections The general understand
ing, however. is that he will do so and VIII
speak on il in advance Of Senator owen OF
Oklahoma, who had announced his inten-
ton 10 speak yesterday, but was pre-
vented by adjournment on account OF the
death Of Senator Elkins. The Beveridge
report is expected TO provide the means
for a division of sentiment for and against
Mr.. Lorimer.
Some Of the Senators favorable to Mr..
I.orimer have said that the case ought TO
20 over for a few weeks in order that the
sentiment OF the country could be ascer-
tained. hut others argue that sentiment has
nothing TO do with the case, and that the
Senate must sit in judgment and decide
the matter upon the evidence, whatever
members supicions might be concerning
the honesty Of the Illinois Legislature. a
postponement could only be had by unani-
nous consent. as the questions involved in
the proceedings are of the highest priv
ilege and may be called up at any time by
any Senator.
II the case is opened on Monday as
seems probable. the general impression is
that it will continue until disposition is
made Of il. There appears TO be only one
way TO sidetrack II, and that would be by
recommlttal OF the whole subject with in
structions TO the Committee on Privileges
and Elections 10 continue the investiga-
tion. The principal objection to such a
course would be that II would be regarded
as discourteous TO the committee, amount
ing 10 a reputation, which would make
The members unwilling to serve second
time. The committee takes the position
that il was instructed to determine
whether Senator Lorimer had or had not
been guilty OF bribery, and in exonerating
him IL performed it's full duty.
There is still another reason why 1t IS
improbable that the case will be recon-
mitted 1t is conceded that second in
vestigation could not be prosecuted in the
less than two months that remain of the
present session, and therefore the pro-
ceedings would have TO go over until after
March 4. when at least three members OF
the present committee. Senators Burrows
Depew and Beveridge, will not be mem
bers Of the Senate. There are other mem
bers Of the committee whose reelection is
being contested, and the change may be
even greater than indicated