The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-01-09
Indiana Snator Says Blonde
Illinois Member Owes His
Seat in Senate to Corrupt
Actions.
BEVERIDCE ENTERS
A MINORITY REPORT
Senator Owens of Oklahoma
Enters Resolution Declar-
ing Lorimer's Seat Vacant
A Dispute.
american News Servicey


Washington. Jan. 9.--Serator Bev-
eridge filed in the senate today a mi
nority report protesting against the
vindication of Senator Lorimer of III
inois because, to his mind, the testi-
mony was conclusive enough that bri-
berry and corruption were practiced to
invalidate Loriomer's election.
Senator Owen of Oklahoma, intro
duced resolution declaring Lori
mer's election illegal and that he was
not entitled to his seat. The senate
ruled that Beveridge's report had pre-
cedence. Lorimer remained in the
senate during the consideration of
the case. The gallaries and the floor
were crowded. Beveridge's report de-
clares that four who voted for Lori
mer confessed TO bribe-taking and the
evidence was overwhelming and con-
elusive enough to convince him that
at least three others were tainted.
Therefore as Lorimer's majority of all
the votes cast in the Illinois legis!a-
ture was only six, he received less
than majority aside from the tainted
votes. The report declares that the
testimony shows the Indications of
more than seven tainted votes.
Ovens Resolution
Senator Owens resolution is as foi-
| lows. Resolved that the election of
William Lorimer, May &c, 1909. by the
Illinois Legislature, was illegal and
void and that he is not entitled to a
seat in the senate"
The battle forecasted for several
weeks was then on. Senator Calm
ger of New Hampshire made a point
of order that the resolution under the
rules of the senate must go over until
tomorrow, but was overruled by Vice
President Sherman. A preliminary
squabble ensued as to whether the
Owen resolution or the Beveridge re-
port should have precedence, the Vice
President ruling that the Owens reso-
luton should have the right of way
over the report Beveridge rose to a
point of order and the senate overrul
ed the Vice president. The report
was then presented to the senate.
During the proceedings Senator Lor-
inner rose to a point of personal priv
ilege and said: Il feel it my duty
to myself and to the senate to re-
main in the senate during the consid-
Grafton of the case. Senators need
not be deferred by my presence from
free and full discussion. Later
will exert the same privilege myself"
a laI
tically every senator was in his seat
when the senate was called to order at
noon. A deathlike silence fell over the
floor and galleries when Beveridge
rose to present his report.
eeverdge's Report
In conclusion, Beveridge's report
Isays: .-.
We cannot consider the personal
fortunes or even the feelings of the
candidate in determining the law OF
lelection cases. The candidate is not
on trial; the election is on trial.
Our business is to guard the purity
of elections. Our concern is to per.
NIT no chances to be taken. Taking
these things all together, did every
tnlng occur tndL lne evidence SHOWS 10
have occurred, without Lorimer's S
knowledge? Even il the corruption
fund came from sources higher up.
did these exalted sources of iniquity
Ipass by Lorimer. whom they were try.
! ing to elect with this putrid money,
without his knowing a thing about it ?
In law, Lorimer must be held to have
knowledge of these transactions in
his behalf.
IF SO | contend that his election is
invalid upon this ground. II the sen.
ators believe that he knew and counte
nanced single act Of bribery we
need not conclude that we must expel
him by a two-thirds vote. We need
only conclude that his election was in.
valid, and SO declare by a majority
vote. / conclude that this election
was invalid under any possible view
of the law. II the senate SO concludes
it is our duty to SO declare. Therefore
II submit the following resolution
Resolved. that William Lorimer was
not duly and fully and legally elected
to a seat in the senate of the United
States by the legislature of the state
of Illinois,