New-York tribune., 1911-02-04
ROOT TAKES LEAD IN
ANT|-L0R|MER FIGHT
Declares illinois Senator's EleC.
tion a Disgrace to State
and Nation.
WANTS IT DECLARED VOID
If Such Methods Prevail, He
Says, the Government OF
the United States
Cannot Stand.
From Tho Tribune Bureaul

From Tho Tribune Bureau
Washington. Feb 3.-The climax or
dramatic intensity in the fight to oust
Senator Lorimer was reached to-day IN
n speech delivered ny senator Root IN
which he called on the Senate 10 reject
the majority report Of the committee ana
declare the election of the Illinois Sena-
tor void. The effect of the powerful ar
raignment could he measured i'm the still
ness which prevailed in tho chamber
throughout the address The galleries
were crowded TO their utmost capacity
and every seat on the floor was occupied
hut so completely was attention fixed on
the speaker that the rustic OF paper in
the farthest corner could he heard with
startling distinctness.
Interest in Senator Roots speech was
stimulated by the uncertainty as to the
precise ground ne would cover in his re-
view Of the Lorimer case. His reputa-
ton as a lawyer his independent atu-
tude and his power Of analysis placed the
Senate in an attitude of expectancy. but
beyond the announcement in The Trib-
une of his intention to speak in opposi-
ton TO Senator Lorimer IL was not
known TO what extent he would 90 in
drawing his conclusions from the tcsu-
mony submitted 10 the committee.
Because Of his standing in the Senate
as we'll as in the last two administra-
tons, several Senators withheld their
opinions until they heard his analysis Of
,g- q &c
had the effect largely of being the last
word in the now famous controversy.
There was little doubt when he had
begun Of the crushing effect of his argu-
ment. Speaking in his usual reserved,
almost hating manner every incisive
sentence seemed a climax, the cumula
tive effect Of which could be measured
only in the tense interest with which
Senators followed every move and visit
ore in the galleries leaned forward to
catch every word. There have been few
arTaignments in the Senate which have
reached such point Of dramatic in
tehsity as that attained by Senator Root
when. in summing up the case. he said.
Lee O'Neil Browne and his band of
lIIlN TODDtIS. n. SENATE must reject
every one OF them"
Not less dramatic was his warning to
the Senate against "warping the conf
dence Of the people away from represent
ative government and the declaration
hat III the Senate stands its members
holding office by such tenure, the gov
cnment Of the United states cannot
stand"
Hale Suggests Reply by cullom.
so scathng was the arraignment Of
the Illinois Legislature, in the course of
which he said. 'the air of Springfield was
murky with corruption" that Senator
Hale arose TO suggest that, after so
powerful an argument. some one should
come forward TO defend the honor Of the
state Of Illinois. He suggested Senator
Cullom TO make reply to Mr.. Roots
speech. which would eXonerate not Lori
mer. but Illinois
Il refuse TO believe that so great a
people are rotten 10 the core" said Sena-
tor Bailey Of Texas. "If we are To try
Senators on the general misconduct Of
legislators, then the Senator whose right
is challenged now is not the only one
who must yield his seat. His colleague,
Mr.. Cullom. was elected by one Of those
legislatures. and no man here believes
that he was a party TO any of these evil
practices. but still the case Of Lorimer
IS the case Of Cullom."
Senator Lorimer had several defenders
Chief among them was Senator Heyborn.
Of Idaho. a member Of the investigating
committee, who charged that some per
sons had entered into the attack on
Lorimer in the spirit Of a man hunt.
Mr.. Lorimer. who had announced that
ne would remain in the Senate and listen
20 all the speeches against him. was alb
sent to-day.