The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1911-07-31
IS CRILLED BY
Committeeman
First Story Of Witness in Lor=
inner Probe Weakened.
IMPROPER FORCES AT WORK

Lawrence 3. Stringer, Whose Direct
Testimony Was Favorable to the
"BIond Boss" Admits On Cross-Ex-
animation That Improper or Corrupt
Practices Was an Ingredient Enter
Ing Into Lorimer's Selection.
Washington, July 31.-Testifying
before the senate's Lorimer commit
tee, Lawrence B. Stringer, who was
Democratic candidate for United
States senator before the legislature
that elected William Lorimer, failed
under cross-examination to continue
the favorable testimony he had given
for Lorimer in direct examination. Mr.
Etringer was grilled by Senators Kern
and Kenyon and under their cross
fire made admissions that are consid-
cred hurtful to Senator Lorimer's
cause
At the conclusion of his evidence he
expressed the opinion that improper
or corrupt practices was an ingredient
entering into Lorimer's selection.
Edward O. Phillips, Chicago re-
porter, who worked in Springfield dur
ing the session of the legislature in
1909, was the only other witness. He
said former Governor Yates was his
authority for a newspaper article ne
wrote on Jan. s, 1909, to the effect
that Lorimer would be elected by the
combination of Democrats and Repub-
licans that elected Shurtleh speaker
If Lorimer would consent. Phillips
said that in conversation with Law
renee B. Stringer the day before the
election of Lorimer he gathered the
impression that Stringer was out OF
the race because a consideration"
had been asked of him that he could
not furnish.
Lorimer Popular With Democrats.
MIR. Stringer testified that Lorimer
and Speaker Shurtleff were the Re-
publicans most popular with the DEM
ocrats in that Legislative session.
From the time it was first rumored
that Lorimer would become candi-
date. the witness said, the common
talk in Springfield was that Lorimer
would get Democratic votes If he went
into the race.
Hopkins was more bitterly opposed
by the Democrats than any other Re-
,.,,h,;oor ~ prnpaipapca In tho state -
said Mr.. Stringer, In speaking OF the
winner in the 1908 Republican sena-
torial primaries.
Senator Kern led the witness to
break down much of the favorable tes-
timony Mr.. Stringer had given in be-
half of Lorimer.
WAS it generally understood that
Senator Lorimer stood for the good
things or the things that were not
good?" asked Senator Kern.
"I think that it was the general i'm
preston that Senator Lorimer was OF
the school of politicians that adopted
the policy of winning the elections
replied Mr. Stringer.
Probes Matter Further.
This answer did not satisfy Senator
Kern.
WAS it understood that Senator
Lorimer stood for what Bryan did, for
instance, In politics?
"T do not think he was in the same
class with Bryan"
did you regard the election as hav-
ing resulted from good and whole.
some combination
'No, did not think it was"
do you think that improper or cor
rupt motives operated on the fifty
three Democrats who voted for Lori
mer?" inquired Senator Gamble.
"The whole fifty-three?"
"Yes, the whole fifty-three."
mo, l would not say that"
From the time OF the story about
an attempt to buy votes for Hopkins
Mr.. Stringer said, an air of suspicion
hung over affairs in Springfield and
enveloped the election of Lorimer. H<
explained he congratulated Lorimel
because 1t was the courteous thing tt
do and he had no evidence himself
that auvthiup was wrOnp