The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-23
Attributes Loss of Two Sup
pOrters to Former Kansan.
THEY ATE HIS APPLES
Two Legislators Soon AfterWard
Deserted Him.
Had Expected to Hold Republi-
cans Together.

Washington, June 23.-Former Sena-
tor Hopkins of Illinois, who was de-
feated for reelection when Senator
Lorimer was elected in 1909, was tie
first witness today before the senate
committee which is investigating Sen
ator Lorimer's election. At the outset
of his examination by Attorney Healy
for the committee Mr.. Hopkins was
asked:
WHO were your opponents at the
Republican primary for United States
senator in 19OS?"
William E. Mason and George E.
Foss,'' said Mr.. Hopkins
How about William G.. Webster?
'*Oh, yes, he was also a candidate
said Mr.. Hopkins, seemingly little
confused by mis- omission.
After his victory at the senatorial
primary, Mr.. Hopkins said, he was
considered the Republican party's cam
didate for senator just as Governor
Deneen was regarded as its candidate
for governor. Il was assessed by the
state central committee just as the
other candidates were, to run the cam
paign at the fall election said Hop
kins.
In describing what he did at Spring
field to further his candidacy, Hopkins
said he hired a hall in which confer
0nCSS were ll0lQ every night VI 81 Ii
which his followers cengregated-
'The main argument we used was
that 1 had been elected at the primary
as the party's candidate and that every
loyal Republican member of the legis-
iature should vote for me-" said Hop
kins.
Coming down to reports that he had
heard about the use of money to defeat
him, Mr.. Hopkins repeated the tesui-
mony he gave the Illinois legislat Ire
investigating committee to the effect
that the day Lorimer was elected his
private secretary told him Senator Nc
Cormick had informed him that $500
had been offered him (McCormicl) to
vote for Lorimer.
Did he vote for Lorimer?" the wit
ness was asked.
Not until after Lorimer had enough
votes to elect him" The former sena-
tor said that he did not go to see Mr.
| Mccormick because his secretary re-
ported that Mccormick was going to
remain loyal to him.
Tried to Keep His Forces in Line.
Mr.. Hopkins then told of efforts to
keep his forces in line on the memoir
able day when Mr.. LoriTner was elect
ed. One of the men he went to see
on the floor of the house that day was
Representative Johnson Lawrence.
He had always voted for me and
when hetold me he was going to vote
for Lorimer,'' said Mr.. Hopkins, 81
told him if he did, he would not be
able to convince his people he had not
been purchased. He said he would
vote for Lorimer, but did not admit
he was purchased
Mr.. Hopkins said he heard that two
other members he was going to lose
were Logan and Durfee Both of them
had been at his hall at II o'clock the
night before the election. the witne ess
explained.
And ate my apples and smoked my
cigars" Mr.. Hopkins added.
ATE your what?" inquired Senator
Gamble.
my apples. kept barrel of
apples"
your room %
my friends told me they went to
Senator Lorimers room.''
The witness said when he asked
Logan why he was going to change,
Logan responded that he, Hopkins,
could not be elected and Lorimer was
going to be elected and that he was
going to vote for him.
WAS there anything in the apples
or cigars that might have made him
change over night?" inquired Senator
Kenyon.
II think not. They were the same