The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-22
IT is LORiMER DAY
The Illinois Senator Pleads His
Case in Person
Before His Colleagues in the
Upper House.
MAKES NO ARGUMENT.
But Recites What He Calls the
Plain Truth.
Many House Members Go Over
to Hear Him.

washington, Feb. 22.-This was
1o-imer day in the senate. When the
session began it was with the expecta-
tion that a number of speeches would
he heard. Chief among these was that
Of Senator Lorimer himself who was
10 begin promptly upon the conclusion
of the routine business. Senator Lori
NOR has been almost constant in at
tendance at the session in which MEM
hers have commended for and against
his retaining his seat. His reply has
been awaited with much interest both
nv the senate and by the public as was
Indicated by the large attendance
Spectators began gathering two hours
before the time for the senate 10 con-
vene, and later many were tuIHeu
from the doors.
The session was begun with the us
nal custom on Washington's birthday
of reading his farewell address. Inc
reading was by Senator Young OF
Iowa The Lorimer case then came
up after a brief interval devoted TO
ordinary business of the body.
It is not likely that a vote on the
case will be reached today unless the
session should extend into the night.
Upon the conclusion or senator
Young's reading of the farewell al
dress and of certain routine business
Senator Hale of Maine asked unan-
imous consent that Senator Lorlmer
be permitted to make his address 10
the senate. This was ACCORDED: MI
Lorimer spoke from Senator Tallafer-
ro's seat near the center OF the cham-
Der. He did not speak from manu-
script though frequently he consulted
notes
From the first he was given the
closest attention. Many members OF
OSf
the senate chamber while he talked.
IIOFimer'S Plea.
MANY questions have been suggest
ed by the statements of senators in the
senate on this CASE Senator Lorlmer
said.
These suggestions or questions con-
Germ mostly the actual cond1tlon Oh my
election to this body.
Did organize the Illinois assembly
against Hopkins? Did make Shurt-
left speaker in order that 1 might be
elected senator? Did make Lee
O'NeilI Browne minority leader?
WAS Lee O'Nein Browne my agent
My corrupt agent?
why did l stay in Springfield dur
ing the senatorial contest?
''Why did 1 sit in the speakers room?
For what purpose did l talk there
why did the Democrats vote for
me?
These are some of the questions
suggested by statements of senators IN
opposition to the committee report or
openly put by them in the course Of
the debate. There is only one kind rf
answer that should stand count in this
case. That is the plain matter of fact,
simple truth. 1t is this matter of fact,
this truth that I purpose to lay before
the senate today. The legal argument
and abstract deduction are beyond my
purpose.
Il rise today simply to tell. as one
who lived through it all. exactly how
my election at Springfield was brought
about-to answer the foregoing ques-
tons with the facts that alone can an
swer them completely"
Replies to Charges.
Having outlined the general course
of his remarks. Lorimer said there
had been an effort to cover the case
with a veil of suspicion 1t had been
charged that some one person with
powerful mind had organized the leg
islature to defeat Senator Hopkins.
Taking up one of Senator Crawford's
charges. Mr.. Lorimer declared that
any one who knew aught of the Illi-
nois legislature would not assert he
sought to organize the legislature
against Governor Deneen To organ
fze a legislature so as to include Demo-
Gratis and Republicans requires effort
From September 10 to November he
had been confined to his home by ILL
ness and had not been able to appear
until just before the election. After
November he had made a tour of the
Pacific and after another illness had
returned to Washington.
He was in the hatioanl house of
representatives on the very day. Janu--
airy Z, that Shurtleff had been elected
speaker.
He told then of the effort of Cover
nor Deneen to defeat Shurtleff, saying
the governor had gone SO far as to tell
members that unless they voted
against Shurtleff they would be de-
prived of all patronage.
"Why was not this fact put in the
record" interjected Senator Crawford
$50 that Governor Deneen could make
reply as the senator is making a state
ment here"
question but Mr.. Lorimer declared he
did not object to questions.
Mr.. Crawford said if the statement
was to be that of witness
question him Mr.. Lorimer repeated
that he would be pleased to answer
questions. Quoting Mr.. Crawford s
allegation that he had organized the
legislature to defeat Deneen, Mr.. Lori
iner said that of "a Republicans who
voted for Shurtleff for speaker, IT had
at some time in the contest voted for
Hopkins for senator.
Cites the Record.
"If the theory that / had been stav-
ing up nights and conjuring ND dark
lantern schemes be true, how can YOU
prove 1t by this record % he asked.
Suppose that president of the Uni
ted States should call in the senators
of his party and tell them whom he
wanted for president pro tenn of the
senate and unless they did his bidding
they would get no patronage.
Suppose president should fall SO
low that ne succeeded in getting a ma
tority to the exclusion of one man.
what do you suppose would be done
Why, it would not take a day to in.
duce the senators to cross the party
line and organize. The Illinois Iegisla-
ture cid what any sensible men would
do-they crossed the party line and or
ganized.
"If the governor had attended to his