Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-03

veStlgat1On into the charges against Sen
ator Lorimer and the report of the com
mittee to the Senate.
ut is a fair inference said Senator
Root, from a comparison between thu
terms of the resolutions and the repor,
of the committee that the committee
were Of the opinion that there had been
corrupt practices in the election Of Sena.
tor Lorimer, but that they were not suf-
ficient to invalidate his seat.
Root Regrets Disagreement.
Il am constrained to disagree with the
conclusion of the committee. 1 do 1t un-
willingly, for 1 have the highest respect
for the committee and their judgment.
TT is difficult for me to reconcile my
self to taking a different view from my
honored colleagues on the committee.
'The conclusion I have reached in
wolves injury to a senator toward whom
| feel kindly and involves disgrace to
the great state of Illinois, if the Senate
should concur In my conclusions
Senator Root said the committee had
treated the charges preferred against
Lorimer by the Chicago Tribune as they
would have treated charges preferred by
private litigant against defendant in
court.
But. Mr.. President said Senator
Root, who has made the Chicago
Tribune party to a cause that in
wolves the honor and dignity of the
Senate Of the United States? When
have we committed to that paper or
to any other paper our honor?
Il submit that 1t became the duty
of the committee to investigate the
charges and to report. to the Senate
not whether the Chicago Tribune had
established its case or whether there
were corrupt practices. Evidence
taken points clearly. to avenues that
hpf ho
committee excluded much testimony
which would have opened avenues for
much further information
Believes It Persecution
Senator Root said that many senators
have felt that the prosecution of the
Tribune was persecution, and he shared
that feeling.
But this case is not the case of the
Chicago Tribune: it is the case Of the
government. Of the people
Senator Root said he would have called
the Tribune's witnesses, but the commit
tee should have called other witnesses.
They should have called Gov. Deneefl
to see what he knew: they should have
called the cashier of Holtzslaw's bank to
inquire about the deposit made by Holtz-
slaw July l6, 1909: they should have
called Speaker Shirtleff and should have
"The senator Teferring to Mr. Paynter)
continually goes back to the Chicago
Tribune as the guardian of the integrity
of the Senate" said Senator Root.
Senator Root then went on to review
the fruitless balloting of the Illinois leg
islature for United States senator. witt
Hopkins in the lead, until there was q
sudden change May .6, when the votes
of the greater number of representatives
and many democrats were turned to Sen
fA,. tInt ro&- lao rnE
100 members of the Legislature were
present making 1O2 necessary to an cleo
ton. On that day Lorimer received 1Ol
votes, whereupon seven representatives
who had voted for Hopkins changed tc
Lorimer, who was declared elected.
Lorimer in Springfield.
l, was a matter Of inquiry that fifty
three democrats should leave the can
on the candidate of the republican
party, he said. 1t appears that Mr.
Lorimer was present in Springfield, and
had been there for several weeks.
lone of the democrats who had op-
posed Lorimer," said Senator Root, was
directed to go into the Speakers room
where he discussed with Mr.. Lorimer
the appointment of officials in the town
of this democrat.
MIR. Lorimer. therefore, was present
was using the room of the speaker tC
meet legislators and discuss his candi-
dacy."
Senator Root read from the testimony
IN show that Lee O'Neill Browne was
nresent and active in the conduct of the
Lorimer campaign. 1t further appeared
| that Mr. Brownies followers were not te
| vote for Lorimer until it should appear
| that there were enough votes In sight tC
elect Lorimer.
1.-The testimony is undisputed," sait
| Senator Root. as to Brownies connection
| with the campaign for Lorimer as thu
| leader of thirty votes for Lorimer.' Sen
ator Root read at some length from th
evidence to show that Browne was, a.
he declared, the leader of crowd tina
voted with Browne as he commanded
| following the "bell-wether."
| Now, Mr.. President. the inquiry mar
rows down as to how Mr.. Browne Sc
! cured the adherence of the faithful thirt.
who followed the bellwether. said Sen
"rhe air of Springfield at the time wa
! full of suspicion as to how the democrats
votes were being secured and hov
Browne controlled his following" HI
read from the evidence the testimony o
witnesses voicing this suspicion. especial
IIy one Donohue; democrat, who hear.
the rumors that all was not straight AM
that the motives actuating some of th
democrats were questionable. In fact
English, member of the house, chafge'
that bribery was being used.
Possible to Cash Votes.
"Ole member Of the House had de