The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-07-20
ALDRICH DENTIST
Says He Never Told Hines That
Taft Was Anxious
For Lorimer to Be Elected Sem
ator From Illinois.
NOT OBJECTIONABLE.
Those Are the Words He Tells
Committee He Used.
He Gives a Definition OF a GOOD
Republican.
NOT OBJECTIONABLE


land, today told the senate Lorimer
committee of the part he and President
Taft took in the election OF a senator
from Illinois in 1909.
Instead Of telling Edward Hines oil
Chicago. the storm center in the pres
ent I.orinaer investigation, that he ana
the president were anxious to have
T,orirner elected, Mr.. Aldrich declared
that he said Iorimer's candidacy was
mot objectionable"
when attorneys for Lorimer, on cross
examination, tried to show that the
former senator might have said ac-
centahle" Mr.. Aldrich emphatcally de-
c.lared that he said mot obJectlonapie
and that he meant that word and moth
He added that he knew Hines would
use the information given him al
MT Aidrioh also denied that he told
Hines he considered Lorimer the oniy
man who could be elected. he salu
ne did not ask Senator fenrose - ~ it to
Hines to consult with him IN regard ~
fbe Illinois election and added that ne
did not believe Senator fehlos9
brought Hines to his ROOM
The regular procedure OF the com
roittee was interrupted TO allow Mr.
AIdric7 to take the stand. He shook
hands with members of the committee
taking particular pains to greet Seha-
tor Iorimer, who listened to MS testl-
Hines had testified that Aldrich sent
for him about May 1, 1909, TO ASH
about the possibility of the llllnols les
fslature electing a senator; that event
ttallv after repeated conferences Alu-
ricb had asked him to urge I4orimer
to become a senatorial candidate anu
that after a night conference at tue
white House. Mr.. Aldrich had return
ed tn his home, where Hines was wait
INFORM
nor Deneen that the administration Was1
snxious to have the senate vacancy
Allied and believed Lorimer could pe
elected. 49, - eo,,r
conversations with Hines about the IL
Ii7,ofs election but could not recall on
whose initiative these occurred
Hines Wanted to Know.
Mr. Illness continued M Aldrich,
ssaid at the frst conversation lnet III
his judgment Hopkins coulu uoe
elected and he asked me what the at
tttude of the president was. l said the
r,yesident was desirous of the election
of Republican and Wnlle napuIAhy
he was friendly to Hopkins because OF
tho urinary result and perhaps other
reasons. still he did not intend TO take
anv active part in trying to influence
fine election of Hopkins or any other
"Did You say there were several
schedules coming up in the senate ana
that it was very important to nave
every Republican vote to assist in the
Yassaee of them % asked Attorney |
Marble, reading from Hines testl-
mony. II, .,....,.,...
to him about schedules" replied MI
Mr.. Aldrfch testified that their next
talk on the Illinois situation took
place when Hines came to him with
the statement that there seemed to be
a possibility of agreeing on Henry s.
Bouten, then representative in con-
gress from Illinois
Later" continued Mr Aldrich, Il
reported to Mr. Hines that the presi-
dent was only anxious to have Re
publican elected and that he was salts
fed with BoutelTs Republicanism.
The next conversation. MIR. Aldrlch
said. was about May 20.
''Ndr. Hines then told me-" said Mr..
Aldrich. that it was impossible to
agree on BOutell and that he believed
there was a possibility of agreeing on
I,orimer He was anxious to know the
attitude of the president toward Mr..
Lorimer. I told him would give him
an answer later. Later in the day L
told him Mr. Lorimer's candidacy
would not be Objectionable to the
president"
He Was Good Republican.
''Then." continued Mr.. Aldrich, Mr..
Hines asked me If would say that to
anv one who inquired of me. I told
rim that I would say that Mr. Lori
mer's candidacy was not Objectionable
to the president. I said the president
occupied the same position that he
had; that he didn't intend to take any
part in the election. and that Mr..
T.orfuner's' Republicanism was satisfac-
tory to the president"
Mr.. Aldrich was asked about Mr..
Hines testimony that Mr.. Aldrich said
I,orfmer was the only man who could
- could not have said that" replied
Mr. Aldrich. because 1 knew nothing
about the Illinois situation
Ha. had no recollection of Hines COM
ing to the senate office building to see
AIdrich in regard to the Lorimer can
dfdacy nor of asking Hines to go to the
white House with him nor Of taking
Hines to his house to wait until he saw
the president. Hines hau testItled to
all these points.
Mr.. Aldrich said that after his talk
with the president about Lorimer,
Hines was at his house to get 4 report.
Mr.. Aldrich said this was about or
O'Clock that evening but he was not
positive. Hines said it was about mid
SDid you tell Mr. Hines that Re
publican senator from Illinois was
needed?"
mo. As matter of fact. as far as
the tariff was concerned, we We're bet
ter on with vacancy than with a sem
ator. With a vacancy we needed only
ss A. for a majority with him We needed
Mr.. AIdrich said he never had any
knowledge OF Loriraer's s attitude on the
tariff. He said he considered Lorimer
a good Republican