Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-06-24
Former Senator Says He
Was Told by Friends that
Money Was Being Used
to Elect Lorimer.
APPLES AND CIGARS
FOR HIS SUPPORTERS
After Accepting Hospitality
Of His Room on Night Be-
fore Election, Two Went
Into Lorimer Camp.

Washington, D. G., June J2S.-Al-
though former Senator Albert j. Hop
kins on the day Senator Lorimer was
elected to the senate, heard many ru-
mors OF the use Of money In accom-
plishing that result, he said today he
was unable to put his finger" on any
corruption. Mr.. Hopkins testified be-
fore the senate committee investigat-
ing the Lorimer election.
Pressed to tell the committee wheth-
er he had any reason to believe that
any of the republicans who deserted
because of improper influences, the
witness declined to answer.
II don't think ought. to say" de-
clared the former senator. 1T is only
my belief"
Neither could he name any person
who could aid the committee, he de-
clared. He added that he had tried to
forget his defeat to q seat to which he
declared he was entitled, saying that
he was sure that the public had no
time with man with grievance.
"Jackpots" We're taken up ct the
afternoon session and former Sena-
tor Hopkins said that pretty we'll de-
fined rumors had existed for years OF
the existence of corruption funds In s
the Illinois legislature. Disavowing
any personal knowledge, he said he
was unable to name the contributors
to such fund
who were your opponents 1t the
republican primary for United States
senator in 19O8?" Mr.. Hopkins was
asked.
"William e. Mason and George =.
Foss," said Mr.. Hopkins.
How about William G. Webster
"Oh, yes. he was also candidate"
said Mr.. Hopkins. After his victory
at the senatorial primary, Mr.. Hopkins
said, he was considered the republi-
can party's candidate for senator just
as Governor Deneen was regarded -
its candidate for governor.
II was assisted by the state central
committee, just as the other candi-
dates were, to run the campaign at the
fall election" said Mr.. Hopkins.
The witness told Of the election Of .
speaker in 1909 by combination OF
democrats and recalcitrant republi-
cans' and Of republican senatorial
caucus in which he was selected -
the party's candidate.
Elbridge Hanecy, counsel for Sena-
tor Lorimer, suggested to the witness
that the meeting was q Conference"
rather than caucus.
Mr.. Hopkins however insisted It
was Caucus"
Tells Of Break Of Support.
Coming down to a report concerning
the use OF money to defeat him, Mr..
Hopkins repeated the testimony he
gave the Illinois legislature inyestigat-
ing committee to the effect that on
the day Lorimer was elected, his priv
ate secretary told him Senator Mo
Cormick had informed him that 32.600
had been offered him McCormick) 70
vote for Lorimer.
"Did he vote for Lorimer?' the Wit
ness was asked.
mot until after Lorimer had enough
votes to elect him"
The former senator said that he did
not 60 to see Mr.. Mccormick because
his secretary reported that Mr.. Nc
Cormick was going to remain loyal TO
him.
Mr.. Hopkins then told Of efforts to
keep his force in line of the memoir
able day when Mr.. Lorimer was elect
ed. One OF the men on the floor OF
the house that day was Representa-
tive Johnson Lawrence.
HE had always voted for me and
when he told me he was going to vote
for Lorimer,'' said Mr.. Hopkins, 4
told him If he did he would not be able
to convince his people he had not been
purchased. He said he would vote for
Lorimer but did not admit he was
purchased.
Ate Hopkins Apples; Then Quit Him.
Mr.. Hopkins said he heard that two
other members he was going lose were
Logan and Durfe. Both OF them had
been at his hotel at IL o'clock the
night before the election. the witness
explained, "and ate my apples and
smoked my cigars" Mr.. Hopkins adj
ded.
Where did they 60 after they left
your room?"
my friends told me they went to
Senator Losmer's room" The wit
ness said that when he asked Logan
why he was going to change Logan
responded that he, Hokpins, could not
be elected and that Lorimer was GO
ing to be elected and that he was 60.
ing to vote for him.