The Washington herald., 1911-02-09
SENATOR CULLOM
DEFENDS ILLINOIS
Only a Few More Speeches to
Be Made on LOrimer Case.

Senator Cullom. whose election to the
Senate by the legislature Of Illinois was
criticised by Senator Bailey a few days
ago on the floor of the Senate, defended
himself as we'll as his State in brief
speech before the Senate yesterday. Sem
ator Cullom admitted that there was cor
ruption in the legislature, saying in this
connection:
THAT corruption has existed on the
part of certain members of the legislature
should not affect the honor and integrity
OF the whole State and besmirch its fair
name throughout the nation.
Il have been silent, as Senators know"
continued the venerable Senator from H.
linois, while the discussion has been
going on concerning the right Of my COL
league to retain his seat in the Senate.
No matter what Senators may think, per-
snnally I do not believe 1t becoming on
my part to discuss the case publicly or
privately, and I do not intend to do 30
now When the time to vote comes, I
shall vote according to the dictates Of my
own conscience.
However,. in the debate which took
place last week the honor and integrity
of my State has been brought into Ques-
tion. and even my own election as
Senator from the State of Illinois referred
TO on the floor of the Senate. and con-
seuuently ] deem it my duty to speak.
Senators have expressed great con-
cern over the integrity and honor OF 1lli-
nois. Probably have its integrity and
honor at heart to A greater degree than
any Senator in this body. In my judg-
ment. the State of Illinois needs no de-
fense. Its people, as a whole. are as
honest and honorable as the people of any
other State in the Union. That corrup-
tion has existed on the part OF certain
members of the legislature should not af-
feet the honor and integrity of the whole
State and besmirch its fair name through
out the nation. If Illinois is to be con-
demned on account of corruption in its
legislature. there are few of the great
States in the Union not subject to SIM
liar condemnation.
My record in public life for the past
fifty years will show that I have always
denounced corruption. and | do not heSi-
tate to say now that any one guilty OF
corruption. whether in the legislature OF
Illinois or elsewhere. should be prose-
CUted and punished to the full extent Of
the law. but it is manifestiy unfair and
unjust to hold up the State TO scorn be-
doing of comparatively few of its public
officials.
Il ALI not here to apologize for Illi-
nos. take great pride in representing
it in this body. and | consider that its
people have honorcd me by electinG me
for tlIe successive terms to greater
dcgree than an election to the highest
cffce within the gift OF the nation"
There will only be a few more speeches
on the case. Senator Johnston. of Ala
hama. gave notice that he would ad-
dress the Senate yesterday, but he went
over to Philadelphia with committee
that is to inspect the mint. and will have
to select another date for his speech.
Senator Bristow will touch on the Lori
mer case in speech on the popular
election of SenotorS to-day.
1t is Senator Bailey's purpose to ad-
dress the Senate Monday on the Lori
lner case. Some member Of the Senate
who is in favor of unscating the Illinois
will reply to the Texan. Sena-
tor Borah may reply. or Senator La
Toilette may do so.