The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-04-13
TO INVESTIGATE
LORIMER'S ELECTION
La Toilette Introduces Resolution
Which Alludes to Recent De-
velopments in Illinois and De-
mands Light As to Alleged
Corrupt Practices.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Special-Wil-
The sensation OF the session Ia the
Senate today was the Introduction Of
a resolution by Senator la Toilette
providing for the appointment OF a
Senate committee to investigate the
nois.
Shortly before the Senate met at
noon IL became known that La Fol-
lette was ready to take this action.
and a tense air hung over the SEN
ate when IL met. and began the rou-
prayer.
The resolution. in full, follows:
whereas, the Senate resolution
adopted June 20, 1910, authorized and
directed the Committee on Privileges
and Elections to investigate certain
charges against William L1orirner. a
Senator from the State of Illinois. and
report to the Senate whether in the
election OF Senator Lorimer as q SEN
ator Of the United States from the
employed corrupt methods and prac-
tees: and,
Whereas. said committee. pur-
suant to said resolution. took the tes-
timony of large number OF wit
nesses. reduced the testimony in print
ed form and reported the same TO the
Senate, which was thereafter con-
sidered and acted upon by the SEN
ate; and,
Whereas, the Illinois State Senate
thereafter appointed a committee to
investigate like charges against Wi
liam Lorimer and report to the said
State Senate whether, in the election
or said Lorimer to the United States
senate, corrupt methods and prac-
tees were employed and used; and.
whereas, as II appears from the
public reports of the proceedings OF
the said Illinois State Senate commit
tee that witnesses were not called and
sworn by the committee of the United
states Senate. appointed to investi-
gate said charges. but have appear
ca before the said committee OF the
iIilnols state Senate, and upon being
interrogated have given important
material testimony, tending TO prove
that 100000 was corruptly- exDended
10 secure the election of William I,or-
inner to the United States Senate;
Resolved. That Senator's John y
works. Charles +. Townsend. Georee
I. Mclean, John w. Kern and Atlee
Pomeren are hereby appointed 8. spe-
claI committee and as such COMMITTEES
oe, ana is hereby. authorized and d.
rected TO report to the Senate whether
IN the election OF William Lorirner &C
senator OF the United States from tho
state or Illinois. there were used and
employed corrupt methods and prac-
tlces; the said committee he author
yea 10 SIT during the sessions of the
Senate and during any recess Of the
Senate or OF Congress TO hold sfSkiHns
AT such place or places as it shall deem
most convenient for the purposes of
the investigation; TO employ stenopra-
piers; TO send for persons and papers:
TO administer oaths and Co report the
result OF its investigation. including
all testimony taken by il. and that the
expenses Of the inquiry shall he paid
from the contingent fund OF the SEN
ate upon vouchers TO be approved by
the chairman OF the committee"
Senator Lorimer left Washington
hurriedly yesterday afternoon. It was
said that he had gone to New York
IL Is the opinion here that the Senate
Committee on Privileges and Elections
will not again be directed to conduct
the Investigation. mainly because that
Committee Will not be reOrganized per
haps for several weeks.
special committee named 10y Vice
President Sherman will conduct the
investigation In all probability. There
Is a disposition In the Senate 60 await
a few days for developments in I'LL
nois.
The news OF the startling testimo ny
that 4 corruption fund OF 100000 has
been expended to elect LOrimer Sena-
tor did not come as surprise TO some
Senators. Several Of the Senators who
took the lead In opposing Lorimer
had very definite information before
the adjournment OF the regular SEES
sion OF the Senate-even before the
vote on the LOrimer case-of the al
legged conversation between Edward
Hines. the friend of Senator Lorimer
and Clarence S. Funk, Of the McCor-
n1ick Harvester Works, who testified
yesterday before the investigation
committee Of the Illinois Legislature.