Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1911-03-01
.LOR|MER INDEFENSE
ASSERTS HE DID NOT BUY OR
AUTHORIZE BUYING OF VOTES
lin ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE.
HITS AT GOVERNOR DENEEA
Senator Declares He Secured Support
From Democrats In His Election
Through Friendship Gained by
His Deep Waterway Plan.

Washington Before vast Assem-
blage Of spectators and a full attend
ance of members Senator william
Lorimer Wednesday denied on the
floor OF the senate that he had pur-i
chased or authorized the purchase Of
votes in the Illinois legislature to en-
compass his election.
Throughout Mr.. Lorimer's final ex-
position OF his defense, he stroves to
make 1t plain that the mysterious
Democratic votes which enabled him
to get his senatorial seat were given
him as the gifts Of lifelong friend
ship.
The defense offered embraced the
following questions, as announced by
Lorimer at the opening of his speech:
ibid organize the Illinois legisla-
ture against Hopkins?
ibid 1 make shurtlef speaker in or
der that might be elected senator?
did / make Lee O'Neil Browne my
agent-my corrupt agent?
why did stay in Springfield dur
ing the contest?
For what purpose did 1 talk to
Shepherd in the speakers room?
why did the Democrats vote for
me!"
Some Of the answers given these
questions by senators on this floor
have been fanciful theories; some mere
guesses and surmises." said Lorimer.
Mr.. Lorimer then stated that an eff
fort had been made to cover the case
with cloud Of suspicion. and to make
1t appear that some man Of great abil-
ity had prepared plan to organize
the legislature of Illinois for the pur-
pose of defeating Hopkins and elect
ing some one else United States sena.
tor.
Mr.. Lorimer dealt with this part Of
his text by reciting his whereabouts
prior to the election in question and
detailing the dates when he was i'll
with blood poisoning, with the inten-
ton of showing that on account of alb
sence from the state and the condition
Of his health, he could not have taken
any part in organizing the legislature.
In considering the second question
in his text. Mr.. Lorimer engaged in a
short tilt with Senator Crawford. who
disputed his course.
Edward Shurtleff was elected speak.
er because Of condition which arose
there and II similar condition had
arisen anywhere In the country. the re.
suit would have been the same.r said
Lorimer. Governor Deneen was op
posed to the reelection Of the speaker
and said that some one else must be
elected. Under no circumstances was
any Republicans to vote for Shurtleff
Representative Brady, who had pledged
his support to shurtleff, was told that
II he did not Join in with Dement'S
plans every employe who had obtained
his position at Brady's recommends
ton would be forthwith dismissed. II
other words, the governor Of our state
undertook to dictate who should b
speaker"
Senator Crawford interrupted. 'sIl
this statement is true" he said, swhy
| was not Governor Deneen called as q
witness in order that he might have
the opportunity Of making reply To
this charged"
ut would have been impossible foI
Governor Deneen to have been called
to refute that statement" said Lori.
mer, las the cause for making It was
not suggested until the senator from
South Dakota. Mr.. Crawford. made II
on the floor short time ago"
Senator Lorimer then took up con.
sideration of the democratic vote
which he received and the incident Of
his presence in Springfield. He told
the story of his interest in the lakes-to
the-gulf deep waterway plan and his
effort to make 1t non-partison propo
sition. In this way. he said. he gained
the friendship of the Democrats.
His presence in Springfield was
caused by by this plan and his desire
to win votes for himself in the race
for the senatorship, was the line OF
Lorimer's argument. ut has always
struck me that IL man wants the
votes Of the legislators he has a right
to go where the votes are" said Mr.
Lorimer.
Senator Lorimer closed his speech
with an impassioned appeal.
"No man has ever dared to charge
that was even remotely guilty OF
bribery or corrupt practices. never
did. not only in this nor in any other
election, use one dollar or allow the
use of one dollar, or have the remotest
idea Of the use Of one dollar-the cor.
rupt use Of 1t.
Il say on my word as a man and on
my word as senator that am not
guilty-that l have no knowledge and
that l had no knowledge in the re-
hottest degree-that bribery and cor.
ruption were used in securing my cleo.
ton"
lows Moves to Stop Treating.
Des Moines, lathe Moore anti
& ltI