The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-03-16
D. U..FLETCHER
TELLS ABOUT
LOR|MER VOTE
OF WORK OF SOUTHERN
COMMERCIAL CONGRESS AND
DEFENDS HIMSELF AGAINST
CRITICISMS RESULTING FROM
HIS VOTE FOR LoRIMER AND
AGAINST DIRECT ELECTION OF
SENATORS.
SENATORS.

Enthusiastic at the fact that the
coming extra. session of congress,
owing to Democratic gains in the last
general election, made real tariff re-
vision almost a certainty and thereby
brighten prospects for election OF g
Democratic president in 1912, and at
the further fact that the Southern
Commercial Congress-, Of which he was
elected president last week, is now In
position to more than ever advance the
interests Of the south, United States
Senator Duncan U. Fletcher returned
this morning from Atlanta, where the
sessions of the congress were held last
week. Senator Fletcher's election to
the presidency of the Southern Com
mercial Congress has been one OF the
greatest hopors paid him during his
public career, and the honor is most
thoroughly appreciated by himself and
his friends.
1.-The Atlanta meeting was one of
success from every point Of view" said
Senator Fletcher to Metropolis rep
resentatfve today. TO say that ap-
preciate the honor of being elected
president Of the congress is hardly
necessary. What appreciate more,
however, is the fact that the congress,
thanks to President Taft, willA have
funds sufficient to operate on decid-
edly extensive scale during my admin
istration. While the president was at
tending a morning session of the con-
gress, the question OF raising funds
came up, and many wished to table it
in order that the president and other
guests might attend luncheon. We
were thirty minutes past the luncheon
hour at the time, In spite of which
President Taft grasped the gavel him
self and proceeded to initiate an old
time evangelist in raising funds for
building a church, represented by Da-
vid r. Francis. VINO was presiding at
the meeting, would give, and Mr.. Fran
CTS was forced to respond literally.
What Will the District of Columbia
giveT the president was asked. No
taxation without representation he
shouted, and then he proceeded to
make every southern state, beginning
with Alabama, respond literally. He
was indeed friend in need"
Revision Surety.
what are the prospects of revising
the tariff at the extra session. SEN
THE Democrats are going to revise
II" was the response, ~and are glad Of
the opportunity. do not know wheth-
er the Canadian reciprocity agreement
will be acted upon separately or in
terwoven into the regular tariff bill,
but expect its adoption. My opinion
is that the Canadian reciprocity bill
will be adopted separately, though, the
terms having been agreed upon by the
commission representing both coun-
tries. The Democrats are indeed en-
thusiastic and prospects look bright
for the future. With harmony pre-
vailing-and see no reason for storms
Il believe we will elect a president in
1912"
LorImer Bribery Case.
Senator Fletcher has recently been
subjected to some criticism because
he voted in favor of United States
Senator William J. Lorimer, of Illinois.
charged with being elected through
bribery, retaining his seat. The same
is the case with quite a number of
other equally prominent Democratic
senators, but from the evidence sub
mitted before the senate, and investi-
eating committee, these criticisms are
apparently unjust.
'T do not believe I have friend IN
Florida, whether he be a newspaper
editor, lawyer, business man or farmer
who would have voted against Lori
mer. Considering the testimony hon
estly and fairly, they could not, and
would not, have voted against him, for
the evidence would not warrant it
would not warrant the conviction Of a
negro for stealing chickens. Every
man who testified that Lorimer Sc
cured his election through bribery was
a self confessed brfbe-taker and per-
jurer, and only one, a man named
White, would testify that he had re-
ceived a bribe In Lorimer's behalf.
This man was impeached by fifteen
witnesses
"The average reader has no idea as
to the power Of the. influences which
sought to destroy Lorimer. The pow
erful Chicago Tribune began the fight,
and White received a large sum for his
first story of the bribery charge and
for securing testimony to give it
strength before the courts. The dis
trict attorneys Office was then brought
into play, and men refused to testify
until they were indicted and forced -
appear And then White was the only
one who would declare he had received
bribe money in Lorimer's behalf. An
interesting feature of the whole pro-
ceeding was that every man indicted
was afterward released.
Lorimer's Democratic Friends.
ION joint ballot the Illinois legisla.
ture stood Republican by so votes,
therefore making the election of q
Democratic senator impossible. Lori
mer's opponent was thoroughly hated
by the Democrats, for he is and always
has been very bitter toward the Demo-
Gratis, and particularly toward southern
Democrats. On the other hand, Lori
mer numbered among his friends thir-
| ty-four Democrats, some OF whom
were bound to him by innumerable
acts of friendship from boyhood days
when they sold newspapers on the