Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-13

AS leader of the "band Of hope" re-
publcans in the Illinois legislature. which
elected William Lorimer to the Senate In
1909, Gov. Charles s. Deneen today, on
the stand before the Senate Lorimer COM
mittee. told for the first time about his
part in that historic session.
Right in the middle of an account of
MISUNDERSTANDING the session of the
iegtslature-of relations between Deneen
and 'Lorimer after a political GOODNESS of
f1ve or six years, and just at the climax
OF review of the battle between the
band Of hope" with the holy alliance,
the committee took a recess until pm.
Gov. Deneen explained to the commit
tee that the holy alliance was the
coalition Of sixty democrats and some
dozen or SO republicans who elected Ed
ward Shurtlen speaker of the Illinois
house in 1909, and put his band of hope
to rout.
Later. in order to escape the imputa-
ton Of virtue carried by the words, the
term was changed to Black Hand /"
added the governor.
Gov. Deneen Tells His Story.
Gov. Deneen today for the first time
tor Lorimer.
He was the first witness called today
when the Senate Lorimer committee re-
sumed its investigation after a twelve
day recess. In all the previous legisla-
tive and judicial Investigations Of the
election Gov. Deneen had not been called,
but he was subpoenaed because other
witnesses have frequently mentioned his
Today's session was delayed nearly an
hour because Of the late arrival OF the
train on which Senator Lorimer came
from Chicago.
Gov. Deneen told of his nomination for
governor in 1904. Former Gov. Yates had
testified that Gov. Deneen failed to carry
out his promise to support Yates for
senator and so Yates declared Deneen
was "a liar STILL
'1 don't think the senatorship was
mentioned at that time" declared Gov.
Deneen today.
Supported Yates for Senator.
Gov. Deneen said that he afterward
supported Yates for senator, and that
their relations. always had been pleasant
He denied that Yates ever had given him
to understand that he Deneen) had lied
in connection with the support of Yates
Yates testified that In conversation with
Deneen he had given Deneen to under
stand that he had not acted fairly toward
him.
Gov. Deneen discussed his opposition
to the election of Edward Shurtleff as
speaker Of the Illinois legislature which
elected Senator Lorimer in 1909.
Mr.. Deneen said he favored the re-elec.
ton of Senator Hopkins after the pri-
maries. In furthering this election he said
| he 10 nf 90 n
caucus at Springfield, so that representa-
tives elected from FOss district might
vote for Foss in the caucus and subse-
quently follow the vote Of the majority
OF the caucus.
Conference With Lorimer.
Gov. Deneen said the first meeting be-
tween himself and Lorimer took place
January 13. 1909. and was arranged b,
r oyvO. West, chairman OF the republican
state committee, who asked If visi
from Lorimer would be agreeable.
A general discussion of political con
ditions" occurred, so Gov. Deneen testi
fed. I'VE talked about getting accurat.
knowledge Of conditions in the general
assembly,
Along what line?" asked Attorne,
Healey
Chiefly about myself"
Gov. Deneen said that he had Just beer
defeated in the contest over the speaker
ship, and the democratic candidate fol
governor was contesting his own election
We talked about the source Of my
weakness in the legislature" he added
land l wanted to know what position
the coalition Of sixty democrats and tht
few republicans that had selected Shurt
left would take in regard to the governor
ship contest
do you mean to say that during the
five hours of conversation Mr.. Lorimel
did not indicate whether he and his fol
lowers would support you In your con
test?" asked Senator Kern Of Indiana.
Lorimer Non-Comnaittal.
He did not" responded Gov. Deneen
"I was anxious at that time to see Il
we could get immediate action, so tha
II I was going to be thrown out woult
be thrown out at once"
Ibid you consider that Lorimer would
be influential in the settlement OF tina,
contest?" asked Senator Kenyon Of Iowa
"Lorimer and Speaker Shurtleff.'
Ibid you think that after the people Of
the state had elected you II depended
upon what Lorimer and Shurtleff said as
to whether you could be governor?' con.
tinued Mr.. Kenyon.
Gov Deneen In reply explained the in.
fiuence the speaker would have in suct
a contest, adding that he believed thai
Shurtleff would be controlled by Lorimer
The committee then took recess unit
q o'clock.