The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-02-11
CUtLON'S DENIAL
Illinois Senator ReSentS
Bribery Charge.
ANSWERS REFLECTIONS ON SELL
Repudiates Insinuations That Hii
Seat in the United States
Senate Was Tainted if
Lorimer's Was.

Washington, Feb. 8. - In a briei
statement In the senate Mr.. Collum,
senior senator from Illinois, said that
never had dollar been corrupuy
used in any Of his elections.
lie declared the people of Illinois
to be as moral as those OF any other
state, and said they could take care
OF their own good name.
This speech by the Illinois senator
was the result OF one made last Fri
day by Senator Bailey. of Texas, at
the close of a speech by Senator Root,
declaring Senator Lorimer, OF Illinois,
was Illegally elected Mr.. Bailey de-
clared that II Mr.. Roots logic we're
sound It would also invalldate the
election of Mr. Cullom.
Announcing that he took the floor
only because of the reflections upon
himself and his state In connection
with the Lorimer case, the venerable
senator said that he had not thought
IL becoming in him to discuss the
Lorimer case, either publicly or pri-
vately.
when the time comes | shall vote
according to the dictates OF my con
science" he said.
ION the FIVE different occasions
when the people Of Illinois signally
honored me by electing me to the
senate" he continued, after reviewing
his various political contests, there
was not even the slightest suggestion
on the part OF any one Of corruption
or Trongdoing in the Legislature in
connection with my election.
A Strict Party Man.
AS a candidate for the legislature.
as a candidate Tor congress, as a can
iidate for governor, as a candidate
Tor United States senator no 'one has
ever charged that a single dollar was
used to influence any voter to vote
for me or corruptly to influence any
member OF the legislature TO vote for
ne. have always been a strict party
man. and am now. and have always
received The support of my party
when a candidate for public office.
These are the facts. They speak
for themselves. That is all have TO
say concerning myself.
That corruption has existed on the
part Of certain members Of the legis-
lature." he said, should not affect
the honor and integrity Of the whole
state and besmirch its fair name
throughout the nation II Illinois Is
to he condemned on account Of cor
ruptlon in lis legislature there are
few Of the great states in the Union
not subject to similar condemnation.
Notwithstanding the uncalled for
sympathy expressed for Illinois here
in the senate. want to say that the
state will take care Of itself and will
unquestionably sweep away any cor
uptlon that may exist"
Senator Lorimer has gone to Chi
cago. There has been a renewal OF the
rumors that strong pressure Is being
brought to bear to get him to resign
from the senate and thus relieve his
colleagues Of the necessity OF voting
on the question of excluding him.
Senator Lorimer was told before he
departed for Chicago that he could
not hope to retain his seat Senators
who are outspoken in his favor ad-
mitted that a substantial majority Of
the senators are in favor OF excluding
him
Senator Lorimer's friends explained
that his hasty departure to Chicago
was due to the necessity Of obtaining
treatment for a throat affection that
has troubled him for years.
Many senators we're inclined to as
sociate Mr.. Lorlmer's departure for
Chicago with a report that he is con.
sidering the wisdom Of retiring vol
unfairly from his seat in the senate
rather than submit to being put out.