Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-09
Indiana Senator Speaks
and Presents MinOri-
ty Report.
WOULD VACATE SEAT
Senator Owen of Oklahoma
VieS for Honor of First
Attack but Loses.

Washington. Jan. 9.-The fight tc
prevent Senator Lorimer of Illinois
from retaining his seat in the United
States senate, was opened today with
contest between Beveridge and
owen, of Oklahoma, both of whom con-
tested for the right TO fire the first gun
in the same cause.
BEyERIDGE WINS OUT.
Beveridge. byvir1ue of being member
of the committee on privileges and
elections which investigated the charg-
es of bribery against Lorimer, gained a
tactical victory by fling A minority re-
port, attacking the position of his col.
leagues on the committee who voted to
exonerate the Illinois senator. Owen,
however. introduced a resolution to de
clare the election of Lorimer Illegal,
and void and was permitted to address
the senate in its support. The senate
held the resolution under the rules
would have to 90 over until tomorrow
SUBMITS REPORT.
Beveridge then Submitted a report,
the conclusion of which was:
That this election was invalid un-
der any possible view Of the law. If
the senate so concludes il is our duty
so TO declare. Therefore | submit the
following resolution:
Resolved. That William Lorimer
was not duly and legally elected to
seat in the senate Of the United States
by the legislature of Illinois"
Before the report was flied Lorimer
made a brief speech declaring his in
nocence of bribery and the innocence
OF his friends of any participation in
the corrupt practices in connection
with his election. and announced his
intention to be present during the dis
cussion OF the case.
SHERMAN REVERSED.
The parliamentary tansle in the sen
ate as TO which of the two senators
desiring TO open the attack upon Lori
mer should have precedence was not
settled until after an appeal was taken
from the ruling of Vice President Sher-
man and he had been reversed. owen
was first recognized. but Beveridge
demanded the regular order. The vice
president ruled the owen resolution
the highest privileged and had the
right TO the floor. Promptly appealing
from the chair. Beveridge was sup
ported by a majority of the senate his
contention that Owen resolution would
have TO lie over one day under the
rules.
REPORT Is READ.
Beveridge's minority report was
then read in the senate The report
reviews the testimony bearing upon
the alleged acceptance of bribes. by
four members OF the legislature. and
the testimony OF these men that bribes
were paid by three other members.
The minority report declares il is an
undisputed fact, although the major
ity ignores it. that the confessed bribe-
takers were shown to have had in
their possession unusually large sums
Of money soon after the dates when
they swore TO having received the al
legged bribes.
SCOUTS BRoW-BEATING CLAIM.
Beveridge then devotes considerable (,
attention to the claim OF the major
ity that AT least three Of those who
confessed having received brides had
been compelled or driven to make
these confessions because of treat
ment received from officers of Cook /
and Sangamon counties. Illinois. In
this connection the report says: What .
the senate must determine is whether 4
Il believes as a matter OF fact. that
these men actually did receive the
money which they testified to having
received" He said the conduct of the .
officers of justice had nothing to do
with the case
ELECTION on TRIAL
Beveridge solids II only one case
OF bribery is clearly established il
makes the whole election foul
we cannot consider the personal
fortunes or feelings of the candi-
dates The candidate is not on trial
The election is on trial.
Even II the corruption fund came
from sources higher up" Lorimer.
in the law. must be held. BeveridCe
holds, TO have knowledge OF these
transactions in his behalf
OWEN GETS FLOOR.
After the morning business was
concluded. Owen again gained the
floor and made his speech.
TEN SHOULD BE BARRED.
A scathing arraignment OF the
manner in which Mr.. Lorimer was
elected was made by Mr Owen. who
asserted that the testimony taken
by the subcommittee which inyesti-