The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-01-13
SENATOR OWEN
Of OKLAHOMA
ADDRESSES THE SENATE AT
LENGTH AGAINST SEATING
LORIMER.
DENouNCE CORRUPT PRACTICE
Citing Both Illinois and Ohio and
Says the Republic Cannot Last
II Such Things Continue.

MIR. owen said: Mr.. President:
On May FL, 1908, introduced Sen
ate Resolution No. 81, for the sub
mission of a constitutional amend
ment providing providing for the
election of senators by direct vote
of the people.
On May 90, 1908, l urged the SEN
ate to act, showing that q states
had at that time sought relief in
this matter. Senate Resolution No.
81 was never reported by the COM
mittee on privileges and elections.
After the converting of the Sixty
First Congress, l introduced another
senate resolution, No. Al, for the
submission to the states of the I'm
ion of constitutional amendment
providing for the lection of senators
by a direct vote of the people.
On May 81, 1910, I again urged
this reform on the attention of the
senate, and was prevented the priv
llege of vote.
pointed out that the house of
representatives on four different oc>
casions had passed bill providing
for this reform-July 81, 1894, May
II, 1898, April l3 1000, and Feb
ruary IS, 1902, the last vote unani-
mously, or no one opposing.
On May 81, 1910. pointed out to
the senate every state in the Union
had acted favorably in this matter,
except the New England states, New
York, Delaware, and West Virginia,
by passing resolutions asking con-
gress for this reform, or by actually
nominating senators by popular
primary vote.
And that even in the states except
ed there were many evidences that
the people favored the election of
Senators by direct vote. The demo-
cratic party in Connecticut, Massa-
chusetts, New Hampshire, New York
and Rhode Island expressly declared
for it in 1910
l pointed out that the national
democratic party, the National pro-
hibition party, the National peoples
party, had all declared in favor of it;
that the American Federation of La
Dor, the, National Grange, the Soc1-
ETY. Of Equity, the Farmers Educa-
tionaI Cooperation Union, and other
great organizations of the country
had declared in favor Of it, And l
pointed out, Mr.. President, that this
reform was demanded for the follow
ing reasons, among others:
First, that it would prevent dead.
locks in the state legislatures.
Second, it would compel candidates
to be subjected to the severe scrunity
of a campaign before the people and
promote the selection of the best
qualified men.
Third, that it would prevent inter-
ference with state legislation by vi
olent contests over the senatorship.
Fourth, that it would prevent i'm
proper use of money and the corrup-
ton of legislatures.
These reasons l now refer to in
the light of the report of the COM
mittee on privileges and elections,
No. 942, on Senate Resolution No.
264, directing an investigation in
certain charges made against Will
liam Lorimer, senator from the
state of Illinois, where it is obvious
these evils have occurred in Illinois.
(see Proceedings, p. 63S.)
On June 20, 1910, the committee
on privileges and elections was di-
rected by Senate Resolution 264 to
report to the senate whether in the
election of Mr.. William Lorimer of
the United States from the state of
Illinois-There were used or employ
ed corrupt methods or practices.
On December FL, 1910, the re-
port of the committee was submit
ted to the senate and will be found
in the Record of that date. Is. Rept
No. 942, 61st Cong. "a sess.)
The Committee on Privileges and
Elections has reached the conclusion
that Mr.. Lorimer was not invalidated
by any sufficient evidence of corrupt
practices.
can not acquiesce in the conclu.
sions of the committee.
In the first place the committee
concludes as principle of law, up.
on the precedents of cases heretofore
before the senate, that in order tc
invalidate the election of senator
on account of bribery it must be
made to appear:
First. That the person elected
participated in one or more acts
of bribery, or attempted bribery, OF
sanctioned or encouraged the same
Second. That by bribery or cor
rupt practices enough votes were OBJ
tanned for him to change the result
of the lection.