Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-05
Illinois Senator Believed in
Danger of Losing Seat.
LINING UP AGAINST HIM
Opponents Gaining Confidence in
Ability to Gust Him.
RAYNER OUTLINES POSITION
Believes Lorimer Jailed to Get a
Constitutional Majority of Votes
in the Legislature.

WIN the Sleau. lflCTSaSe n tie 1aIlhS
of the senators who are to oppose the
report of the Senate committee on privi-
leges and elections upholding the legality
of the election of Senator Lorimer. they
are gaining confidence in their ability to
finally unseat him.
The opening volley % shots will be
fired Monday; and there will probably be
heavy canncnading and much guerrilla
fighting over the issue for several weeks
That Senator I.orimer is q long way
from winning his fight for his seat is
being more and more conceded, even by
his friends.
Owen to Take Initiative.
Senator Owen will start the struggle
Monday by proposing a resolution de-
claring the election; OF Mr.. Lormer il.
legal and void and by making a speech
advocating its adoption. Senator Craw-
ford is preparing a speech along the
same line; and he will probably have all
has guns in place and his ammunition
ready early in the weeh.
Senator Rayner of Maryland has mad,
PUBLIC announcement of his determine
ton to fight the adoption of the repor,
the Senate, and s nator Jones of Wash.
lngton Is being mentioned as one of those
leaning the same way.
Senator Rayner's View.
Senator Rayner will oppose the Lorimel
report because he thinks the testimony
shows that Mr.. Lorimer did not receive
| the majority of the untainted votes of the
legislature necessary 10 elect him. Ht
holds this way: The legislature OF Hi
| nois is composed of % members. Tt
| make his election valid under the con
| stitution Lorimer must be able to SHOW
an untainted majority OF all members
elected, which would be 1O2. Lorime
actually received los votes. but the repor
| of the committee shows that seven O,
these are invalid-f6ur of whom con
| fessed to having received money to vot,
| for him, and three of whom, II wa.
shown, had paid the money.
These seven, Mr.. Rayner contends-an,
the committee practically admits-are in
valid and cannot be counted for Lorimer
| Their subtraction would leave I<orime
| with 1Ol. one less than the constit att ona
majority n. cessary. Hence Mr.. Rayne,
believes his election illegal and that ht
is not entitled to stay In the Senate.
Bailey Is for Lorimer.
| Senator Bailey will lead the fight
among the democrats. for the adoption
Of the report favorable to Mr.. Lorimer
He is member Of the committee OF
privileges and elections and his approva
was given to its report. He is expected
| to lock horns many times during the de-
| bate on the subject with Senator Rayner
Both are close students OF constitutions
law, and Senator Rayner's arguments
| against Mr.. Lorimer will be based largely
upon the Interpretation Of the Constitu
| ton.
| There is more and more talk Of a sec
ond investigation, probably by a differen,
committe from that which held Mr. Lori
| mers election legal. There are, however
| some senators who think the testimony
already taken shows conclusively that the
! election was not legal; and they contend
| there is no use for further investigation