Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-02-23
ILLINOIS SENATOR IN EXTENDED
STATEMENT EXPLAINS slTuA-
TON IN ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE
AS HE UNDERSTANDS IT.
BLAMES DENEEN FOR
BREAKIN PARTYLINES
DECLARES GOVERNOR HELD PA.
TRoNAGE CLUB OVER LEGtstA.
TURE AND FORCED THE RI-
PARTISAN SITUATION.

| Washington, D. c., Feb. 22.-William
Lorimer of Illinois stood up in the SEN
ate Of the United States today and
made answer to attacks which have
been made upon the purity and valid.
ity OF bis election by the legislature Of
his state as senator Of the United
States. The floor of the senate was
crowded far beyond the custom in that
august chamber, usually the very home
of decorum. The galleries were packed
with a crowd made only the larger by
the fact that legal holiday left hum
dreds Of government employees free to
witness the event.
Mr.. Lorimer stood at the desk OF
Senator Taliaferro, q democrat, while
6. eaking. This is located near the CEN
ter aisle of the chamber. where the
speaker could face the republican side.
During practically all Of his speech he
directed his arguments at his own
party associates, for 1t was from them
that came the most personal speeches
in support of the charges Of bribery
He spoke with notable calmness, but
now and then flashes OF anger marked
his speech. His face. always rather COL
orless, was unusually pale Practically
every senator was in his seat and Mr..
Lorimer's remarks were heard with
intense interest.
There seems little prospect of vote
on the Lorimer case today.
The session was begun with the
usual custom on Washington's birthday
of reading his farewell address. The
reading was by Senator Young OF
Iowa. The Lorimer case then came up
after brief interval devoted to ordin-
ary business of the body.
Lorimer Begins His Address.
Upon the conclusion OF Senator
Young's reading Of the farewell ad,
dress, and Of certain routine business,
Senator Hale of Massachusetts asked
unanimous consent that Lorimer BIZ
permitted to make his address to the
senate. This was accorded and at 1:27
o'clock Mr. Lorimer arose to speak. He
spoke from Senator Taliaferros seat
near the center Of the chamber. He did
not speak from manuscript, though FREE
quently he consulted notes.
From the first he was given clos
est attention. Many members of the
house stood against the walls of the
senate chamber.
Outlines Questions Raised by Case.
Senator Lorimer at the outset Of
his remarks, indicated the general line
concerning his election as senator
from Illinois, which he recognized as
having been raised by senator's on the
decision of his title to his seat, AMI
which evidently he felt called upon to
answer.
Many questions have been suggest
ed by the statements of senators in the
debate on this case," the senator said.
These suggestions or questions con-
cern mostly the actual conduct Of my
election to this body.
did organize the Illinois assembly
against Hopkins?
did make Shurtleff speaker In or
der that | might be elected senator?
did I make Lee O'Neil Browne mi
nority leader?
was Lee O'Neil Browne my agent
my corrupt agent?
why did stay In Springfield dur
ing the senatorial contest?
"Why did sit in the speakers
room?
''For what purpose did talk there
with Shepperd?
"Why did the democrats vote for
me?
These are some of the questions
suggested by statements OF senators in
opposition to the committee report, or
openly put by them in the course Of the
debate.
"To these questions many sorts Of
answers have been given by my oppon-
ents. Some Of these answers have been
fanciful theories; some mere guesses
and surmises.
There is only one kind Of answer
that should stand or that should count
In this case. That Is the plain, matter
of fact, simple truth. It is this matter
Of fact, this truth, that purpose to lay
before the senate today. The legal ar
and abstract deduction are be-
yond my purpose.
II rise today simply to tell, as one
who lived through 1t all, exactly how
my election at Springfield was brought