Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-11
DEFENDS THE REPORT
Senator Johnston UphoIds Le-
gaIity of Lorimer Election.
DENIES SOME ASSERTIONS
Replies to the Contention That the
Investigation Was Not Search
ing-Rejection of Testimony.

In a speech on the floor OF the Senate
Yesterday afternoon i'll behalf of the COM
nittee report favorable to the legality of
the election of William Lorimer as United
States senator, Senator Johnston of Ala
bania, who signed the committee report,
contended that conclusions made by some
Of the anti-Lorimer senators were not
supported by the evidence i'll the case.
Among the new contentious advanced
by the Alabama senator was that only
one legislator of Illinois confessed" to
having received money in consideration
of his vote for Mr.. Lorimer He was an
swerins contentious OF those opposing Mr..
Lorimer that four confessed
No witness testified that he received
money as q considera Jon for his vote ex-
cept White Mr.. Johnston said at one
time. Link denied it specifically. and
Ieckemeyer and IIoltslaw.''
Link. Beckenleyer, Holtslaw all swore
that when they voted for Lorimer no
money or other thing OF value had been
promised Them" he remarked at another
time.
Character of the Investigation.
Senator Johnston then proceeded to
pick flaws in the statements against the
legality of Mr.. Lorimers election. To
Senator Owens. assertion that the inves-
tigatien was not searching Senator John
ston replied:
The subcommittee authorized the Chi
cago Tribune. who had brought the White
story and was diligent in establishing it,
to act as prosecutor. and named the
Tribunes attorney TO present the evil
dence ana croSS-eXdmlne the witnesses,
and every witness named or suggested by
the Tribune or It's counsel was called by
the committee. The members of the COM
Y4,itf bod raarGnna1 lodge
should be called and had TO rely on those
making the charges to suggest them
Contradiets the Three Senators.
And he summed up his contradictions of
some conclusions Of Messrs. Beverdse.
owen and Crawford by declaring that he
presented the matters to show that the
Senate cannot rely upon the accuracy
of statements made in haste. even by
distinguished senator's.
Disputing the theory advanced by Sen
ator FraZier-and supported b. other
senators who have urged the EnscatinS OF
Nj. Larimer-tiIae tainted votes are to be
distracted from TIE total vote for Mr..
I.oriIne- and not from the total vote cast,
Senator Johnson said:
Il think in that lac tMr. Frazier errS,
for il the men wf.o confessed 10 receiving
money are 20 be believed as To that fact.
which was 81, ongiv contrddicted, why
should they not be believed when Uncon-
tradicied. l. nn. Beckemeyer. IolStlaw.
all sworc tina. when they voted fog Lor-
-ncr ro money or other thing OF value
rad been promised them. Therefore,
even II the senator S theory is correct.
these voters were not seduced from the
.sl; port of Hopkins o. Stringer by brides,
and their votes therefore certainly could
not he added 10 the anti-Lorimer vote,
and l,e would still Lave a vote of los.
IF the theory Of Senators Beveridse
Owen and Crawford prevails that any
corruption invaldates an election, two
corrupt men in any legislature could pre-
! at.t the election of any man to the Sen
a.a. one swearing that lie had paid the
hr!ae and the other admitting receiving
IL
Case Summed UP.
titer pointing out that. even with the