Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-28
bourne. RAPS TAFT AGAIN UNDER FIRE.
Saws President Uses Patron orer Title to Senate Seat
ace to Influence Conoressme Assaied by Senator Stone
NORTON LETTER THE BASIS QUOTES FROM TRIAL RECORD
Oregon Senator nosan Criticised Tor Not Testify
Bribery intimidation. ing Before Senate COMMITTEE
QUOTES LAW ON SUBJECT IGNORED THE OPPORTUNITY
Mourn Replies to speech In De-
Crime ia Tnnuence Vote fenseo Of Lorme
Of Members Bailey.
Lorimer' Title to Senate Seat
AssaiIed by Senator Stone.
QU0TESFR0M TRIAL RECORD
ulinoisan Criticised for Not Testify.
ing Before Senate Committee.
IGNORED THE OPPORTUNITY
Missourian Replies to Speech in De-
tense of Lorimer Made
by Mr.. Bailey.

Criticising Senator Lorimer for failing
to testify under cath before the Senate
committee which was investigating his
election, and contradicting Senator Bailey
by quoting from the record and by pre-
senting conclusions in opposition. Senator
Stone Of Missouri made direct reply In the
Senate this afternoon to the speeches OF
Mr.. Lorimer and Mr.. Bailey In defense
Of the legality of the Lorimer election.
"In the face of what Beckmeyer,
Holtslaw and others whose evidence mas
been quoted testified to-" Mr.. stone saio.
in concluding his address. land In race OF
all the damaging and damning facts de-
veloped by both positive and circumstan-
tial testimony, in the face or all tnat APP
pears In this most accusing record. sen
ator Lorimer sat silent as the deae lie
had no explanation to make, no Word 70
say. Why did not Mr.. Lorimer take the
witness stand. speak out like man VINO
had naught to fear. answer any question
propounded to him. and tell everything
he knew about the case? Does this at
titude Of silence comport with innocence!
Alleges Inculpating Testimony.
III It was SHOWN tlat peChoncSSi'
Holtslaw and White had received money
for their votes; II it was shown tnat
other legislators had also been the re-
cipients Of tainted money; and II 1t was
shown that still others had been ap-
preached with corrupt overtures, DID not
this volume Of inculpating testimony
shift q burden Of proof on Mr.. Lorimer
and make it imperative that he should
defend his title?
III do not invoke the rule that governs
the relations between principal ana agent.
It is sufficient for the purposes OF TINS
case that We try 1t by the testimony, I'M
swerved by sentiment or passion II Is
sufficient If the facts brought home to the
Senate convince you that want OF knoWi-
edge on the part OF MI. Lorimer IS
wholly improbable.
Il hold that it was incumbent upon him,
and If innocent it was a duty he owed to
himself. to answer before the committee.
He should have taken the stand and
bravely stated all he knew, and submitted
himself to the most rigid interrogation.
He made no attempt to defend himself
under the sanctity of an oath, but prefer
red to remain silent while the investiga-
ton was in progress and come here TO
defend himself in a speech before the Sen
ate He should not nave waited to make
his defense as an orator or advocate.
pleading his own cause before the forum
which is trying him. His address was
indeed, replete with eloquence and pathos,
but the Senate is obligated to judge the
case solely on facts developed by the
testimony delivered under oath.
Senator Stone had not spoken long be-
fore he indicated that his remarks were
to a certain extent in reply to those Of
ferred to Mr.. Bailey's reference to the
unpcpularity of Senator Hopkins, candi-
date for. reelection when Mr.. Lorimer
was elected. He remarked that it was
sx11,l hat 1aoo n
somewhat vindictive disposition he
would have personal enemies.
Hopkins Entitled to Party Support.
Even gentlemen with such placid, Sc
rene and amiable dispositions as the
junior senator from Texas tMr. BaileD
are known to have enemies in their
states," Mr.. Stone commented. Hopkins
was, nevertheless. Mr.. Stone argued, duly
and fairly nominated at an authorized
primary election and was entitled by
every rule of fair politics to the support
of every republican member of the Illi-
nois legislature when that body came to
elect senator.
William Lorimer is republican" Mr..
Stone continued lie has been repeat
eddy honored by the people of his state.
He was not candidate before the FRI
maries for senator. He did not cross
swords with Hopkins and ask the votes
stead Of doing that. he went to Spring
field and there organized bolt among
republican senators and representatives
against the election of Mr. Hopkins.
say he organized the bolt II he cid not,
who did: He was the general in conf
mand, pulling the strings and directing
the force he had organized. All others
were subordinate to him: they were but
his lieutcnants.
.'Mr Lorimer walked through a maze
of most complicated and confusing ma
nipulation at Springfield. proving himself
master adept in politics. and came out
ut the end with senatorial toga. He
not only gathered a band of republican
legislators together but he brought dem
ocrats as we'll republicans into his
combination, and together they wrought
out his scheme.
Whites Confession Cited.
Senator Stone next turned to discuss
Charles A. White. the member of the ILL
nois assembly whose confession finally
resulted in the investigation of the Lori
mer election. He pointed out that Lee
O'Neil Browne coZened White with many
endea airing terms, such as Dear friend
Dear Charley" and 'old par'-"calcu-
lated to bold the creature in hand if not
wholly lost TO all sense Of decency.
But Lorimer was wiser than Browne.
Mr. Stone commented He was wise
enough to know that ore demand of the
blackmailer would be followed by an
other. and that TO yield would only result
in further and deeper involvement. So
Lorimer suavcly showed him the door.
Naturally. Whites maneuvers were
bruited about, and. naturally, if there
were guilty men. they would hunt shelter