Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-02-23
Nothing Just Like Il Ever
Heard in the Senate.
Bwasey, Me.,0pposes RecIproci.
" in Behalf Of Maine Mills.
House Cleaning Up Business
japanese Treaty In Senate.

Washington, Feb. 90 -William Lori
ner If Illinois today IN person made
. lis defcsce against the charge that his
vas accomplished by the bribery and
corruption Oh the Legislature of Hill
fois. II was a gS>2erai emphatic denial,
delivered with mdNe than ordinary clo-
|tuence and fervor.&
There WAS 10 vote today on his eli
ibi,ity. Immediately upon the con-
fusion of his speech the Senate went
nto executive session on the Japanese
reaty, and the answer to his speech
which senator Bevcridge was prepared
. make was postponed until temor-
low. Nobody knows when vote will
u rcacncG.
With almost every fellow senator ii
is seat and Il great many members of
| ne House OF representatives. on the
Senate floor and the galleries densely
packed he made a speech of four hours
|oncth, which even his bitterest oppo-
,ents admitted was able and dra-
latiC. Some of those who heard the
neton and have been in and about the
Eenate for many wears said that there
IloVcr WAS anything just like II.
Mr. l.arimef's speech was distinctly
"human interest story" For cXani-
/ le. in explaining the votes by Demo-
rats for him in the Legislature which
lectcd him to the Senate, he described
| he beginning Of his acquaintance with
Itiinkydink' Keuna in Chicago Al
ears ago. 1t Was a homely story of
|ne newsboy helping another but il
WAS effectively told and there We're
|nany other like touches in the speech
hich held the interest of the great au-
[iencc from beginning To- end. More
|Aan once there were evidences that
he speech was moving some of his
hearers to tears.
What effect. if any, the speech will
|!ave upon the vote in the Senate il
: Of course impossible to say. The
general impression about the Capital
tonight is that Mr.. Lormer and his
riends have. safely pledged. the votes
!, It'll which to defeat the resolutio ion
which would declare his seat vacant
nd that il the matter comes to n
R'ote the result win be Il Lorimer vic
Tory.
Tomorrow Senator Beveridge is ex-
|hccted TO make a long speech in am
wer TO Mr.. Lorimor. How much
| inc the Senate viii be willing to give
o this subject in the present crowded
ondition Of the Senate calendar re-
|nains TO be seen. 1t is not impossible
hat Lorimer's opponents may be able
10 prevent the matter coming to a
Iote at all before adjournment. 1t
WAS said today this was indeed the
bian which the anti-Lorimer forces
lyould Try TO carry out.
MIR. Lorimer reviewed practically all
HE charges which have been made
Cainst himself His statement was
In the nature both of testimony and
bf pleading. He did not at all at
Tempt to anaIyze the testimony, but
devoted his attention entirely to the
h arguments of other senators against
him. He took up in turn the infer
tnces drawn from his intimacy with
Sneaker Shurtless and Lee ONeil
browne. his attendance upon the I'LL
bols Legislature and his presence in
kshurtleffs room, undertaking to show
NAT in each instance his course was
hatnral ard similar 20 the action OF
htbcr public men under like circum-
stances.
He oynlained his Democratic sup
mort on the ground of long standing
friendship for himself. He
said that he made an effort 10 iliuuec
|cov Dcneen to become n candldatc
ko break the senatorial deadlock anu,
lin effect, he said, that il Dcneen nae
|been so inclined ne could have eiecteo
|IIopllins by throwing his vote 10 MN
re, made occasional pointed re1er-
L,pccs to the specches by opposing SEN
htors. especially Root and CRAWFORD
|Nr. Iorimer assorted emphatlcailS
that not only did lie not use money 10
Influence his election. but that on MS
honor he knew of none having peeh
so employed.
The address of Mr.. Lorimer consum-
ed so much time that Senator BeVer-
|idge could not find opportunity to pro-
coed with his remarks. and permission
was given him to proceed tomorrow.
There is general expectation that oth-
err senator's will ask to be heard ana
it is predicted that the aftermath OIL
the speech will be quite as interesting
as the speech itself.
Tic galleries would hold only small
portion of those who sought admit
lance. Hundreds stood in line through.
out the speech. devouring every word
that filtered through the gallery doors
and waiting for the seats of those who
might weary and leave. There were
few. however. who did not stay for the
last word.
Society as known in Washington
was out in force. Mrs. Taft herself and
a rarity occupied seats in the Execu.