The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-01-11
RAyNER TO FIGHT Hing.
Maryland senator Concludes That
torimer Was Not Legally Elected
Senator

-" "~~~-*
senator.
Washington. Jan. 6-Senator ISL
dor Rayner has finished reading the
testimony before the Committee on
Privileges and Elections In the Lori
mer case and has reached the conclu-
sion that the report OF the committee
IL not justified by the facts and that
r.orh,er Is not legally entitled to his
seat In the Senate.
Leaving aside the morality of the
methods used to bring about his cleo
ton and aside from the question as
20 whether the Senate should retain
a. . member a man In whose inter-
ct open corruption and bribery. as
the testimony indicated. were employ
sd. Mr.. Rayncr reaches the conclu-
sion the election OF Lorimer to be In
valid. and he will 30 contend on the
moor OF the Senate when the mat
ter comes up. Senator Bailey. OF
rexss. who signed the whitewash re-
port an a member OF tho committee.
viii take the other side and the Argu-
mont as to the constitutionsiity Of
Lorimer's election. regardless OF Its
more unsavory phases. promises to
be one OF the most interesting fea-
lures OF ths fight.
Mr.. Rayner's contention Is this:
Tho Legislature OF Illinois is compos-
"a OF sos membera To make his
eloetion valid under the Constitution
kprimsr must be able. to show an un-
xlused majority of an members eisc-
ted. which would be lo2. Lorimer
actually received los votes. but the
report Of the committee shows that
seven OF these are inyalid--four OF
whom confessed to having received
money TO vote for him and three vf
whom, II was shown. had paid the
money. These seven. Mr.. Rayner con-
tends--and the committee practically
admits--are invalid and cannot be
counted for Lorimer. Their subtrac-
ticn would leave Lorimer with 101.
one less thar the constitutional ma
5ority necessary. Hence. Mr.. Ray
ner believes his election illegal and
that he Is not entitled to stay in the
senate.
The committees contention Is that
Lorimer was not required to have q
majority OF all members elected to
the Legislature. but only a majority
Of q quorum. and that therefore the
seven tainted votes could be thrown
out and he would still have more than
enough TO mako his election valid.
Mr.. Rayner mas examined the Consti-
tuition carefully on this point and Is
perfectly sure OF his stand that IL the
seven votes are thrown out Lorimer
was not legally elected and Is there
fore not entitled to remain In the
senate. other members Of the SEN
ate, who lave examined the testimony
Assert than the evidence shows that at
least IA OF the Lorimer votes were
tainted and should not be counted.
Even this number would not. accord
tns to the committee. invslidate Lori
mer's election. Tho argument used is
that he could AFFORD to lose Is such
votes and still have received suni-
esent TO ei,title him TO his seat. Mr..
Rayner thinks this position Is utterly
indefensib.e.
interest In the case Is increasing
and many Senators do not hesitate 10
exprrsT tneir resentment at the efforts
Of Lonmer and the influences behind
him to hold on TO his seat under the
circum. .aHceG Unless. some assert,
tho Senate clears Its skirts in this
matter by refusing to pernut him
60 remain ih .he body Lorlmer Is apt
20 become a national Issue. seriously
Involving Senators who insist upon
tt... l.. foo. -