El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-03-01


states in the south, whose fair escutch-
con had never before been besmirched,
it is openly charged that these practices
have prevailed in those states. In the
east and middle west it has become so
common for the press of the country
to charge that the senators from those
states bought their seats, that it has
ceased to be a matter exciting public
comment Sir, the senate of the United
States is today upon trial. moreso in
my judgment than the senator from IL
linois, Mr.. Lorimer. The country has
already tried this case and rendered
the verdict. They are waiting to see
whether or not, the senate will purge
itself of this STAIN"
Cummins, of Iowa
A. B. Cummins, of Iowa=..Senators,
I have not concluded my review Of this
case. feel conscious of great re-
sponsibilIty. 1t is not a pleasant or an
agreeable thing to reach the conclu-
sion to which my mind has come in
this matter 1 believe that the testi-
mony shows that seven or more of the
members Of the Illinois legislature
were corrupted. and through that cor
ruption were induced to vote for Mr..
Lorimer. 1 believe that under the law
of the land as declared by the senate,
and as taught by all the principles of
Jurisprudence these secen corrupt votes
invalidate the title of Mr.. Lorimer to
the seat he now occupies. It seems to
me that. even though we may differ
with regard to the question of fact, we
must not differ with regard to the
principles of the law. We must not
lower the time honored standards. If
the rule which has been for the first
time invoked in the senate shall prevail.
then brfbe givers and bribe takers can
for all time accomplish their sinister
purposes if Intelligent minds accom-
pany their corrupt hearts"
Roots Logic.
Elihu Root. of New York-.If we
would preserve the government of our
fathers, if we would preserve the hon.
or and integrity Of the senate, If we
would do our full duty to the country
under our oaths, we are not at liberty
to reject the testimony in this case,
which shows this seat to be filled here
as a result of corruption. Hard it is;
but as we had fathers who made sacri-
fees for our land, as we have children
to whom we hope to hand down gov
eminent of peace and justice and liber-
ty, it rests with the senate of the Unit
ed States to do its duty now; and, hard
and unpleasant as it may be, purge it
self of the results of this foul conspir-
acy against the integrity and purity Of
our government"
Burf0n,S onslaught.
Theodore E. Burton. Of Ohio-tWhat-
ever accusations may be raised against
this body, it has a record of honor In
the midst of turmoil numindful Of sud
den gusts OF erroneous opinion, the SEN
ate stands as the strongest bulwark OF
the republic. But to maintain that rep
utation we must be free from the sui
lying influence of any membership that
is tainted by fraud We must empha-
size the responsibility Of the elector,
and of the lasting necessity for the
purity of the ballot in all elections We
honor and glorify the flag. Even
failure to it has led to protest and dip
lomatic correspondence. There are
those-yes, a multitude-who would be
willing to die for it; but, after all, the
flag is yet but a symbol. The real
source Of power the source of security,
the determining factor which shall de-
eide whether this republic shall exist
in its strength and retain that splen-
did position of progress and leadership
which it has enjoyed. is the voter. II
we strike at the ballot box. if we al
low corruption. with its oTninous head
to creep into the legislative halls Of
any state. then clouds hover over our
future. 1t is for the senate of the Unit
ed States, from its seat of aonOr and
power, to declare that its record must
be free from faint, and to register its
judgment for the principle that no
where shall dishonest vote, or a dis
honest count be tolerated
a Washington idea.
Wesley L. Jones, of Washington
Mr.. President 1 have wished to sustain
the verdict of this committee because
of their learning and ability, their in
tegrity and patriotism. 1 have wished
TO sustain their verdict because of my
intimate association with Mr.. Lorimer
in the house of representatives, and nay
high opinion of him as man and as a
citizen 1 wish to sustain it for the
honor of the great state of Illinois, in
which 1 was born and reared, and
whose glorious history has enriched
the annals of the republic with the
fame and achievements Of Palmer,
Yates, Ogelsby, Logan, Grant and Lin
coin, but 1 am compelled by my oath,
under the facts as L see them, and the
law as 1 understand 1t. to vote to de-
clare the election of Mr.. Lorimer ille
gal ard void"
Beveridge's Close.
When senator Beverage made his
closing argument against Mr.. Lori
mer's retention of his seat, the CALLER
les and floor were filed with interested
listeners. He contended thata sufficient
number Of members of the Illinois leg
islature had been tainted to render
Mr. Lorimer's success the result Of cor
ruption. ut is the integrity of the
election and not Of the members that
must determine our votes" DE said,
land we must decide the question on
its merits.
There it is. There's the record I
have discharged my duty without
III will. have felt none.
have felt the earnestness of a Judge
acting under oath. It hasn't been easy.
It hasn't been pleasant.
Il am done. We have not only got
a duty to perform but a record to hand
down-a record of our own vote. A rec
ord to be handed down to our children
and our children's children. The record
is here; the testimony is here; the law
is here and they will last forever"
Why Didn't Lorimer NotIfys
VIM. ]. Stone, of Missouri, said: I'm
face Of all damaging and damning
facts developed by both positive and
circumstantial testimony; in face Of all
that appears in this most accusing rec
ord, senator Lorimer sat silent as the