The Washington times., 1911-01-12
Only Five Senators From
That Side Will
Line Up.
SL.K TO PREVENT
TAKING OF VOTE
Friends Hope to Have Matter Go
Over Until Next
Session.

Only five Democratic Senators are
now expected to vote for Senator
Lorimer.
This was admitted today by friends
of Senator Lorimer, who are trying to
canvass the situation and find what
his prospects are of remaining in the
Senate.
Those expected to vote for him in
clude Senators Bailey, Paynter, John
ston, and Fletcher, who signed the
majority report of the Privileges and
Elections Committee and also Senator
Bankhead of Alabama
The fact that the Democratic
strength in support of Lorimer is thus
reduced is looked upon by anti-Lorim-
er Senators as proof that his situation
is preCarious.
Try to Prevent Vote.
That Senator Lorimer and his friends
are hoping that something will turn up
to prevent a vote on the question
of whether or not his election is in
valid, is the talk about the Senate.
They would like to find a way to put
the matter over until next session, but
have little prospects Of doing so.
The anti-Lorimer Senators are bent
on forcing a vote at this session, and
will probably have their way. The
Lorimer forces think that IL the mat
ter were to drag along through the
coming summer, public sentiment would
become less aroused on the subject.
Senators are slow getting ready to
speak on the case, and II is expected
little will break out on the floor before
the first Of next week. A strong effort
will then be made to get a time fixed
for a vote. Senator Beveridge sought to
get an agreement yesterday, but failed.
Senator Burrows, chairman of the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections, said
that no speeches had yet been heard in
favor of the report, and that as soon
as several Senators had spoken. uphold
ing the report, he would be willing to
agree on a day for voting. He eX-
pressed the belief an agreement could
be reached in a few days.
From the Republican Side.
The Republicans have brought it
about that if a resolution is passed
declaring Lorimer's title to his seat
invalid it will emanate from their
side Senator Owens resolution was
referred to the Committee on Privi-
leges and Elections. This leaves the
Beveridge resolution, which holds the
election illegal, before the Senate.
Some question is raised whether the
parliamentary advantage has not been
given Lorimer in the reference of the
Owen resolution to the committee,
where it will be buried. If it should
be held the BeVeridge resolution was
not in order, as suggested by Senator
Bailey recently, then the Senate might
have to vote on resolution indorSing
the majority report, which Senator
Burrows will present when he speaks
next week. This resolution would be
subject to but two amendments, and
there might be difficulty getting a
square expression from the Senate on
the question of declaring the title of
Lorimer illegal.
The anti-Lorimer Senators, however,
say they cannot be prevented by Jug
Elery of any sort from forcing a
straight-out test on the question
full.
One Of the troubles of the Lorimer
supporters is the absence of Senator
Aldrich, through illness. Senator
Lorimer would like to have the Rhode
Island Senator around to engineer the
fight in his behalf.
Senator Roots position has been
stated to some of his colleagues. He
intends to take the floor soon against
lorimer. Roots prestige with some of
the Senate Old Guard is giving worry
to the pro-Lorimer contingent.
Statement From Stephenson.
Senator Stephenson of Wisconsin
has given out a statement in which
he says the charges against him en-
anating from a special committee of
the Wisconsin senate are false. This
committee declares that Stephenson's
nomination in the primary and cleo
tion are void because of attempted
briberies, and corrupt practices by
himself and his campaign leaders.
agents. and workers. The report is
signed by Lieut.. Gov. Thomas Morris
and Senators Spencer w. Marsh and
Paul Husting. The latter is a pro-
gressive Democrat and the other two
are progressive Republicans.
So far, the indications are that the
Senate Committee on Privileges and
Elections will be slow to do anything
about the charges unless a resolution
should go through the Senate direct
ing an investigation. No signs are yet
given of such a resolution. While 1t
will be the duty of the Privileges and |
Elections Committee to give attention
to the matter, II 1t comes here with |
the Endorsement of the Wisconsin |
Legislature, this apparently will be |
done perfunctorily, in the absence of