Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-03
THIS IS CONCLUSION OF SENATOR
ROOT IN ANALYSIS OF LORI
MER CASE.
ROOT TAKES ISSUE WITH CON-
MirTEE's PROBING METHODS
Instructions-Private Complaint Of
Chicago Newsp aper Not in Issue But
Question Of Alleged Corrupt Prae.
tees and State and Nations Integrity

Washington, Feb. 3.-That Senator
Lorimer holds his seat as the result of
bribery, and on that account he should
not be permitted to continue in the
senate. is the conclusion reached by
Senator Root, and which was announc-
ed by him on the floor Of the senate
today.
Root spoke without notes and in the
main his address consisted Of careful
analysis OF the testimony taken by the
committee. The argument was almost
entirely legal. The speaker lost little
time in indicating the conclusion he
had reached, which was entirely antag-
onistic to Lorimer. He took the posi-
tion that the investigation committee
had been at fault in permitting either
the attorney for Lor!mer or the attor-
ney for the Chicago Tribune to direct
its course in the matter Of connecting
Lorimer with the corruption OF men,
bers Of the Illinois legislature, but
agreed that, even in the face of It's fault
in this respect the committee had oh
taint and invalidate the election.
Criticises Committee.
'Ts It fair to infer" said Root. "that the
committee was Of the opinion that COR
rupt methods and practices were re-
sorted to. but that their legal effect
was not such as to invalidate Lorimer's
election. This view IL stained by tho
testimony before US, and regret to say
that. after examination Of this testi-
mony I am constrained to disagree
with the members Of the committee" !"
Saying he had been forced to this con-
clusion with deep regret. both on ac-
count OF this respect for members OF
the committee and his regard for Lori
mer Root said he had been impelled to
reach an adverse view in the interest Of
the state Of Illinois and the country ut
large. II can not" he said. most ear
nestly, come to any different conclus-
ion" He expressed the opinion that
both the state and the country had been
disgraced by the methods Of the Lori
mer election.
Lar,e in Interpretation.
He did not believe the committee had
properly interpreted the scone OF its in
structions. but felt IL had gone too far
in Interpreting the charges as a private
complaint by the Chicago Tribune The
committee should. he thought have
borne IN mind that the reputation,
honor, purity and authority Of the SEN
ate were involved when" he asked
earnestly. "did we trust the GUARDIAN
ship Of our honor and Integrity to any
newspaper or any man? 1t was the
duty OF the committee to investigate
whether corrupt methods and practices
had been resorted to, as directed by
senate. and not TO decide whether the
Tribune had established a case"
Slap at Newspaper.
1t was clearly shown, Root contend
ed. that in following the leadership Of
the Tribune the committee failed to
take advantage Of many opportunities
to obtain testimony Avenue after
avenue has been voluntarily closed
One effect Of the committees course
had been to create a feeling that this
was persecution rather than prosecu-
ton. and the speaker himself confessed
to sharing a view that the work was
not one In which a newspaper might
properly engage.
Il do not believe. hes aid, that a.
combination of tremendous power of a
great newspaper should be comhinc.l
with tho work Of a prosecutor, beca as,
do not think such combination makes
for justice. But this case is not the
case OF the Tribune: it is the case of
this government. 1t is the government
of the United States that is involved. -
Would Havs Called Banker.
AT this 5uncture the first interrup-
tion occurred. 1t came from Paynte,.
Of Kentucky. member of the com
mittee. and supporter Of It's views.
He asked Root to specify some OF the
witnesses he would have called that
were not summoned at the instance of
the Tribune. Root said he would have
compelled the attendance Of the cash
Ter Of the Holtslaw bank to show the
financial operations conducted therein
In connection with the alleged bribery
shurtIeH Not Quizzed.
The Yarboro brothers. who are sup
posed to have been present at some of
the interviews between Browne and
White, Governor Deneen. and Speaker
Shurtleff, in regard to Governor Deneen.
were told that they could testify only
In reference to n question OF atmos-
phere," said Paynter.
Then, responded Root, "there YOU
are still following the Tribune, as x that
paper were tho guardian Of the senate. :"
Admitting that Shurtlen had been
called, Root said his testimony was
merely Of a formal character, whereas
owing to the fact that he was closeted
day and a night with Lorimer, he
should have been questioned most care
fully
Committees Conclusions Not justified.
Root. discussing tho testimony be.
fore the senate. declared IL did not
Justify the committees conclusions.
Tho speaker entered upon a detailed
analysis OF the testimony. He invited
attention to the visits Of democratic
legislators to Shurtlen's rooms. which
were occupied by Lorimer, and then
considered Lee o'Ncil Brownies con-
nection with the casa. Browne, he said,
was Lorimer's chief agent, and he un-
oertooA iv SHOW :ss We: Instrumental