The Washington times., 1911-01-07
Surprising Opposition to
Him Disclosed by Can
vassing Senate.
OUGHT TO RESIGN,
OPINION OF MANY
Most Striking Development Is
Amount of Democratic Pro-
test Now Heard.
By JOHN SNURE.

Predictions today are freely made that
| Lorimer will be forced out of the Sem
| ate. Reports that he will resign are al
\ ready going the rounds. Colleagues are
| voicing their criticism that he should
4 appear on the floor of the Senate at a
time when his fate is hanging in the
| balance. Others are saying that he
ought to resign.
One of the striking developments IN
the situation is the Democratic strength
in opposition to Lorimer. Inquiry
among the Senate Democrats discIoses
| that probably not over a third of them
and perhaps not that many. will stand
! by him. This is In spite of the fact that
Senator Bailey of Texas, who has much
influence on the Democratic side, has
lined up for Lorimer. The two Virginia
Senators, Martin and Swanson, are the
| latest to be disclosed as in opposition to
| Lorimer
Will Carry Weight.
This news. coming on the heels of the
| announcement that both Senators Ray
| ner and Smith of Maryland are against
| him, is certain to have weight. Senators
| Stone, Culberson, owen, Gore, Frazier,
and Clarke of Arkansas are against al
| lowing him to remain. So is Senator
| Overman. who is outspoken against
| him. And other Democratic Senators
are expected to line up against him.
In view of the fact that Lorimer was
| elected by Democratic votes, this refusal
| of Democratic Senator'S to stand for the
method of his election is regarded as
| extremely significant.
Another phase OF the Lorimer case of
much interest is that the plan to re-
| commit the matter to the Privileges
and Elections Committee is likely to
fail. Senator Bailey himself is under
| stood to be opposed to it, on the ground
| the committee has gone into the facts
| thoroughly. Neither he nor other mem
bers of the committee are willing to
| allow themselves to be slapped in the
face 10 the extent of having the Senate
send the question back TO them for fur
ther inquiry.
Fight to Finish.
| In this situation the indications are
that the fight will open Monday. and
| will go to a finish this session. The
developments Monday are expected to
include the presentation of a minority
report adverse to LorImer by Senator
lBeveridge and the speech of Senator
Owen. Senator Frazier will submit a
minority report, but 1t is not known
whether he will do so on Monday.
Many evidences exist of a great stir
ring up of public sentiment against
Lorimer. Senators are feeling the ef-
fects of this Senator Frazier is said
| to be'inding powerful public sentimenj
/ n Tennessee hostile % Loriinrr.
| Many Senators feel keenly that tn.
Senate of the United States itself is on
| trial in the eyes of the people, and that
II it calmly submits to the seating e
Lorimer in the face of what has been
| disclosed as to rottenness in the llli-
nois Legislature, then its standing will
be irreparably damaged.
| A phase of the matter which Is con-
siderably gossped about is what Sem
ator Cullom, colleague Of Lorimer, will
tdo when it comes to voting. Senator
Cullom Is not given to lodging votes.
1t puts him in an embarrassing position.
He is we'll known not to be friendly to
Lorimer, but no surprise will be felt
If, in order not to seem to be unfair
to his own colleague. he casts a vote for
him.
Peculiar Situation.
Between the South Dakota Senator's a
peculiar situation has arisen. Senator
Crawford is preparing a powerful anal
ysis Of the facts which he will submit
to the Senate. He was one of the first
Senators to say that Lorimer ought not
to stay in the Senate. He is going to
exert his utmost efforts to get Lorimer
out. On the other hanr. Senator Gamble,
as a mmeber of the subcommittee of
investigation and the main Committee
on Privileges and Elections has stood
with the majority of the committee
in favor of letting Lorimer stay.
. Disputes are arising as to whether
Lorimers title to his seat can be in
Senate or whether a two-thirds vote will
be required. 1t is insisted by the friends
of Lorimer that the two-thirds rule ap-
plies. Opponents of Lorimer say that
the Constitution requires two-thirds
only in case of expulsion for disorderly
behavior, and that declaration by the
Senate by majority vote that he Is not
entitled to his seat, that his election
was void, would suffice to unseat him.
Reports Denied.
Reports that Senators\ Burrows and
Aldrich have had disagreement over
the Lorimer case, owing to the fact that
Senator Aldrich wants the matter re-
ferred back to the Privileges and Elec-
tions Committee and Senator Burrows
does not, were denied today-by Senator
Burrows.
Senator Burrows stands on the report
of the committee, which he made re-
Gently. He does not want the matter
referred back, neither do most of the
other members of the committee.
1t was declared this afternoon that
there was pressure from some of Lori
mer's friends to get the matter referred
in the hope that ultimately the agita.
tion would die out. If the report is still
pending when Congress adjourns, it
will lapse with the end of the session.
liz would not be possible for the COM
Eittee, on the strength of a resolution
passed this session, to go ahead and
conduct an investigation after March 4.
| 1t would then be necessary to get addi-
ticnal authority II the investigation
were to proceed. What Lorimer's friends
hope is that the agitation will die down
by the time the Senate meets again and
that II nothing is done this session it
will not be urged seriously again.