The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-10-11
Former Secretary of Senator
Hopkins Named Several
Prospective Witnesses
Weak SISTERS WERE THE
ONES MOSTLY INVOLVED
Possible Every Member of the Legis.
Iature Who Voted Either for or
Against Lorimcr Will be Called by
tile Investigating Committee.

chicago, Oct. 11.-New interest was
attached to the second days sittings
OF the Lorimer investigation commits
tee of the United States senate by the
testimony expected to follow the in
PRODUCTION yesterday of several new
mat money was paid Illegally to elect
Senator Lorimer.
John M. PETERS. former secretary
70 United Sites Senator Albert j.
hopkins. in naming four members Of
the assembly. said this information
was based only on suspicion in his
mind as to 1.-The weak sisters' His
iine OF inquiry. The attitude of the
committee following the testimony
gave the impression that every men,
per of the. legislature who voted for
or against Lorimer would be called.
According to PETERS, "the weak
sisters" IS the witness and At.
torney Henchey. council for Mr.. Lori
mer termed them were:
Former State Senator B. F. Down.
ing OF Dixon. Former Senator William
F1eldslfck, of Chicago, Former Repre-
sentative Carl S. Bergett, of Newman,
Former Representative John Law.
renee. of Polo.
of these four men, PETERS testified
that all but Fieldstack. were followers
of Mr.. Hopkins.
For the last month of that 1909
deadlock" said PETERS. "the whole
idea OF the Hopkins campaign was to
keep our men from being bought. I
suspected several of the weak sisters
In our camps. They were men that I
thought could be Improperly be in.
f1uenced.
PETERS said. however, that he had
no prof of corruption against any of
these men.
Although but three of the list of
eight witnesses summoned before the
committees today were examined, six
more We're called to appear before the
committee. An effort will be made 20.
morrow to hear the testimony of all
Of these eleven witnesses.
For the last month of that 1908
deadlock" said PETERS. 1.-The whole
idea of the Hopkins campaign was to
keep our men from being bought.
suspected several of the weak sis
ters in our camp. They were men that
thought could be improperly influ.
enced."
Asked by Attorney Hancey to name
some of the so-caller weak sisters"
PETERS began by manning former Sem
ator Downing.
Did you have any suspicion at that
time that Mr.. Downing voted improp.
erly or corruptly?" asked Attorney
Hancey.
Yes, I did" replied the witness
He was the sort of man that the
Lorimer forces were getting right
along. He was drinking and was
easily influenced"
PETERS then named Burgett and
Lawrence. Asked why he suspected
Fieldstack. the witness replied:
Il thought Fieldstack had his hand
out all the time. l met him just be-
fore the opening of the legislative ses-
sion. This occurred in Chicago and
l asked him if he would vote for Mr..
Hopkins for senator. To this he an
swered:
LIT cost me just 1886 to get elected
and I've got to get that money back
some way. I'm not for Mr.. Hopkins
or anybody like him. I'm out working
for myself "
PETER said. however. that he had no
proof of corruption against any of
these men.
PETERS related conversation with
former State Senator George NJ Nc
Cormick. which he said took place at
the Illinois hotel in Springfield just
previous to the election of Lorimer.
Senator Mccormick told me that he
had been offered s2.50O to change his
vote from MIR. Hopkins to Mr. Lori
mer." testified PETERS. PETERS told
the same story which he previously
had related to the Helm committee at
Sprinefield