The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-22
LOR|MER SPEAKS
IN OWN DEFENSE
Alleged Fraudulently Elected
Senator From Illinois Tells
His Story in Open Court
DENIES KNOWLEDGE
OF ANY CORRUPTION
Man Under Fire Cody and De-
liberately Sets About to
Plead His Case--Hypno-'
ties Large Crowd
With Speech


the statesmen and the eager curiosity
OF an overwhelming crowd, the sen
ate wing OF the capitol was set for
- historic action to daYy~WhaH~I tina, final.
dramatic scenes in the case OF VIII
liam Lorimer, of Illinois, were enact
ed.
Following the reading of President
Washington high minded farewell
address, I.orimer, like man on trial
for his life, presented his defense.
Hardened by the knocks that come in
politics, and trained In the conceal
ment of hts emotions, he appeared to
be cool as the most disinterested
spectator. In a low, even voice, he
contested the arguments made by the
ablest lawyers in the senate, and de-
clared that his election to that body
was not due TO corrupt practices.
At $3.50 A. NJ. two women had
taken their stand at a gallery door
that would not be opened for three
hours. An hour later, long lines Of
people trafled from the doors OF the
resrrt ed galleries along the corridors.
The public galleries were crowded to
the limit at 10 o'clock. great pro-
portion of the audience was of the
gentle sex, The senator's private gal
lery. the seats and steps, presented
mass OF women. Respondent in the
furs.
mob of the late and dlsappoint-
ed. packed the corridors. and hum
dreds stood In the waiting lines. hope
ful that at som. time In the after
noon they might get a glimpse of
the tragedy-for tragedy IL was. no
matter what the result. according 10
the conflicting views.
As Lorimer proceeded, his voice
NAfhRYysA IN la
a loud. dramatic tone that held the
immense crowd. as IL hypnofiged
Dramatic Silence.
Dramatic silence fell over the
crowded galleries as Lorimer arose
File stood at his seat at the extreme
end nf the last rom on the Demo-
cratic side, Immediately behind
standing along the wall. were repre-
sentative Monkey his chief lieutenant
and other members Of the Illinois
delegation IN the House. Scores or
other representatives crowded the
space back OF the Senator's seats.
Hale suggested that Loriner come
to the center of the Senate. Beyer-
idgc and Taliaferro offered their seats.
Taiiaferro's was accepted and Lori
mer moved to the middle OF the au-
ditorium. In beginning. Lorimer re-
terred 10 the fact that Beverage had
not concluded his address and offered
to wait.
Many suggestions have been pre-
Sented In this debate" said Lorimer.
Many Of them refer to my election.
Did organize the Illinois Legislature
against Hopginsg Lid elect sshars-
lef Speaker? Did | make Lee O'Neii
Browne my chief Representatives Did
] induce the Democrats To vote for
meg
Many answers have been given by
my opponents. some fancifui There
liz only one answer that should count
in this case. II is the simple. plain
truth.
II propose to tell the Senate ex-
actly how my election was brought
: about Hila answer all thasa auesr
TONS and answer them correctly.
Efforts have been made to cover
this whole case with u shadow OF sus-
picion. II was sought to make 1t APP
pear that some man of SURPRISING
ahifity organized the Illinois tegisfa-
ture to defeat Hopkins. Some have
declared that this man OF overshad-
owing genius and wonderful power
of organization was none other than
myself. 1t is sought to prove that
not only was I elected by corrupt
practices. but that Il arranged their
employment and made them effec-
tive"
The controversy first began To as
sumo definite shape on May IS, 1910,
when Loriiner arose to a question OF
personal privilege and called attention
to certain newspaper allegations
These declared that the Legislature OF
Illinois hal been Improperly influence
ed by the use of money. and that Lori
mer, the beneficiary. had knowledge
40 sis~ no
chased for him. After denying all
the charges preferred against him.
Lorimer demanded an investigation by
his associates In the Senate. At the
conclusion of his speech he offered a
resolution instrt citing the Committee
on Privileges and Elections to Eek
anime the allegations recently made in
the public press. charging that brib-
cry and corruption We're practiced In
the election of william Lorimer.'
Formal Charges Flied.
It was held by Senate authorities
that no cognixance could be taken OF
Lorimer's request. as no charges had
been fled with the committee. News
paper articles did not constitute the
basis for an official inquiry. When
that conclusion became known. one
OF the franchise organizations In IL
linois filed formal charges. On June
Is. 1910, Senator Burrows introduced
a resolution providing for compre-
hensive investigation OF the allegations
made against Lorimer. and it was
adopted.
Seven members Of the Committee
4 on Privileges conduct an inquiry dur
ing the autumn months. six Of them.
Senator Fraster dissenting. prepared
report generating Lorimer. This
conclusion was accepted by the full
COMMITTEES. with the exception Of Sem
ators Beverage and Fraxier, both Of
whom later filed individual views.
Senator Owen. OF Oklahoma. took
the matter up for debate early this
session. making a strong speech In
favor or declaring the seat vacant.