The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-03
ROOT DEALS HARD
BLOW To LOR|MER
New York Senator Brands IL
Iinois Mans Election as
Fraudulent
AIR WAS MURKv
WITH SUSPICION
Springfield Was Center OF
Corruption, and Empire
State Senator Thinks ,
Lorimer Knew 1t

WASHINGTON. Feb. 3.-One of the
hardest blows yet sustained by William
Lorimer. of Illinois, was delivered to-
day when Senator Root. Republican. OF
New York, spoke In the Senate in sup
port of the contention hat Lorimer
was not properly elected to tina body.
Roots alignment having been gener-
ally with the Republican regulars. who
had been supporting Lorimer. the
speech to-day was d bitter
ment to Lorirner and his friends.
A marked renewal OF interest In the
case, with crowded galleries. was APP
parent, when Root began his address
II am constrained after a careful ex-
animation of the evidence said Root.
'.to disagree with the conclusions OF the
investigating committee. / do this with
deep regret"
senator Payuter. tDemocratl. of
Kentucky. asked MIR. Root wha addi-
tionaI witnesses could have been exam
mated. Root replied that the commit
tee might have called the cashier or
Hoitslaw"s bank. Governor Deneen
and others whom he mentioned. includ-
ing Speaker Shurtlen. Arnold aud Mar
shall.
Paynter said Shurtlef was called at
the Instance Oh IH3I SOtbAiithA'f ah1
that Governor Deneen's testimony was
known in advance.
The failure To cali these witnesses,
Root said. was because of the wrong
view taken by the committee concern
ing the scope and nature OF its duties,
Root commentator Lortmerss presence
In Springfield for several weeks. eccu~
pying the speakers room and conferr~
ing with Democrats concerning their
votes for him
Browne the Trusted Lieutenant
The selection of Lee ONetll Browne
as L.oriEaer's accredited and author
lied agent in securing votes from the
Democratic side Was by
Root. He read from the testimony 10
show the close relations between Lori
Iner and Browne. Eie declared Browne
procured the votes of his followers Tor
Iscrimer-
1T only remained to determine how
he secured their adherence. This is
the background against which all the
testimony in this case must be ex-
amfned and weighed" said Mr.. Root
The committes on privilege and
elections was crIticlxed by Root Tor
not following The instructions of the
Senate and ascertaining whether cor
rupt practices and methods had been
employed. Fuller and more satisfac-
tory Information easily could nave
been obtained" he said
This In the case of the Senate OF
the United States" said Root. 1t Ia
the case Of the government of the
United States. 1t Ia the case of re-
preventative government and not that
OF a newspaper"
The testimony of Donehue. Grove.
Terrell, Myers n other witnesses
was read to show that suspicion OF
corruption Was, rampant AT Springfield
and that no matter of policy or pa
triotism would inspire the Democrats
to vote for a Republican.
''At the time these votes were cast
the air at Springfield was mnrky with
suspicion" said Root, "a suspicion
now justified by unirnpeachabie wit
nesses. II ma be that all these men
swore falsely. bat we are not al lib
ertyLto reject their testimony unless
fr is overcome ny votrrtervaftfng tes-
timony or accepted facts. The rela-
tons between Bruwne and his follow
ers Is established beyond u
The st. Louis meetings. at which
bribery WAS established. were review
ed by Root.