Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-27
LA TOILETTE FINISHES TALK
Wisconsin Man DepreCates Lowering
of Ideals of the Senate.
SEVENTY YEARS WITHOUT TRIAL
in Last Fifty Years Eleven Senators
Have Had to Defend Themselves
Against Charges of Cor
ruptiOn.

WASHINGTON, May pa four-day
speech in opposition to the retention of his
seat by Senator william Lorimer of Ini-
nois was brought to a close by Senator
La Toilette of Wisconsin today. Mr.. La
Toilette advocated the adoption of his res
olution naming new members of the sem
ate to conduct a further investigation into
the case of Senator Lorimer.
Mr.. La Toilette said 1t was deeply sig
nificant that for seventy years after this
governmnt was established the senate
had never been Inundated by call to in
vestigate a charge of corruption in tho
election of one of its members. Since then
eleven senators had been required to de-
fend themselvs against the charge of brib-
cry.
A study Of the ten bribery cases tried
here in recent years. said Mr.. La Toilette
"dscloses the growing tendency toward
the establishing of presidents which make
1t increasingly difficult to convict, except
in cases where the proof is overwhelming
and notorious. he decision in the Lorimer
case makes another Of those unfortunate
precedents, In some respects 1t stands
alone-a lurid page in the history of low
cred senatorial standards.
Reason for the Recall.
THE abolition of caucuses and conven-
lions and the nominations of all candidates
by direct vote, the election of United States
senators by direct vote, the nomination of
presidential candidates by direct vote, the
initiative, the referendum and the recall
all these are but the logical outcome of the
betrayal of public trust by public officials.
There has grown up a scorn and con-
tempt for the plain citizen 1t has become
a,
and the peoples rule as the rule of the
mob
The recall will enable the people p. to
dismiss from public service d representative
whenever he shall cease to serve the pub
lie interest. Then no jackpot politician
can hold his office in defiance of the will
OF a constituency whose commission he
has dishonored.''
When Mr.. La Toilette introduced his
resolution providing that a new committee
be elected by the senate 10 make a thor
ough investigation of the election OF Mr.
Lorimer. it was objected to by members
on the ground that 1t was a reflection on
the vice president and on the committee
Of privileges and elections.
Mr.. La Toilette quoted many preoedents
in support OF his proposition to name the
members of the select committee in the
resolution adopted by the senate. He
urged IL was nothing for the senate to
take from the hands Of its presiding officer
and Of standing committees the selection
of special committees 20 do a particular
piece OF work. He argued that there was
nothing either in the proposal he had
made to the senate or in the past record
of the senate 10 sustain the objection
raised against his resolution.
No
Senator La Toilette concluded:
! In asking that a committee of new
men be named, l have had no Interior de-
| sign. The adoption OF this resolution car
not be construed as a reflection on any
member of the former committee II
were a member of that committeeman
my convictions formed and expressed, as
a result of the first trial. would not my
| self consent 10 serve on committee
charged with the grave responsibility OF
prosecuting an investigation OF all tht
facts on both sides of this case and re
porting the results OF that investigation
| 20 the senate.
| Whatever the committee on privilege.
and elections might report, their action Il
likely to be misjudged. The public 4
aroused, indignant, sensitive They ar,
not indifferent on this case. II the com
mittee who Judged the testimony previously
should decide adversely on the new in
vestigation, will the public think It 4
unbiased and fair? VIII they be satisfied
or, II the same committee should revers
its judgment, will the public believe 1t 4
from Conviction