The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-22
LORIMER CASE UP FOR FINAL
 ACTION TODAY Expected that His Seat in Senate Will Be Declared
 Vacant Supporters, However, Feel Confident of Majority
 Vote in His Favor
Especial from United Press.) )

\SpeCldl lTOtu OullSO FISSS.J
 Washington, Feb. 22-The birthday of the man who "could not tell lie" saw the threshing out, in the United States Senate, of one of the most sen sational scandals involving charges of corruption, justification and the worst forms of public debauchery, in the his- tory of the country, when final action was taken upon the Illinois legislative election, by which William E. Lorimer was named United States Senator.
 The controversy first began to as- sume definite shape on May 2S, 1910 when Lorimer arose to a question Of personal privilege and called atten- tion to certain newspaper allegations These declared that the Legislature of Illinois had been improperly influenc- ed by the use of money and that Lor- inner, the beneficiary, had guilty knowledge that Democratic votes had been purchased for him.
 After denying all the charges prof fered against him. Lorimer demanded an investigation by his associates in the Senate. At the conclusion of his speech he offered resolution in- structing the committee on privileges and elections to examine the allega- tions recently made in the public press
  were practiced in the election of Will Ham E. Lorimer."
 It was held by Senate authorities that no cognizance could be taken Of Lorimer's request as no charges had been filed with the committee. News paper articles did not constitute the basis for an official inquiry. When that conclusion became known, one of the franchise organizations in Illi- nois filed formal charges. On June IS, 1910, Senator Burrows introduced a resolution providing for a comprehen- sive investigation of the allegations made against Lorimer and it was adopted.
 Seven members of the committee on privileges conducted an inquiry dur ing the autumn months. Six of them Senator Frazier dissenting, prepared a report exonerating Lorimer. This con- clusion was accepted by the full com mittee, with the exception of Sena- tors Bevertdge and Frazier, both of whom la.ar nlsd & 'nd'yauai VI osisnan yisTs; brought the matter up for debate, early this session making a strong speech in favor of declaring the seat vacant. He offered a resolution to that effect which was referred to the tions. In presenting his dissenting opinion, Beveridge offered similar resolution and has since renewed it.
 Beveridge has been the leading spirit in seeking the exclusion of Lorimer. He has been ably seconded Bristow, Brown, Burton, Jones, Borah and Root. Senators Bailey and Bur rows have persistently defended Lori- mer. They have been aided by Sem ators Paynter, Gamble, Johnstone and Fletcher. has been conducted on the proposition that his seat shall be declared vacant which would require but a majority, or 46 votes. No objection to this has been raised by the friends of Lorimer but it was expected before a final reached that they would insist thas, if eliminated from the Senate, he must be expelled, which would neces- sitate two-thirds, or 62 votes.
 The supporters of Lorimer develop ed surprising display of confidence, around that Lorimer expected to have 55 votes in his favor.
 "Lorimer had only seven majority in the Illinois legislature" said one Of his packers. ''If our expectations are fulfilled he will have a majority of nine in the Senate"
 No Senator having been named to succeed the late Senator Hughes, of Colorado, the body now consists of 91 members. If Lorimer refrained from voting there would be a possi- bility of a tie on the question on the adoption of the resolution declaring Lorimer's SC 1t vacant in which event the resolution world be lost.
 The claims of the Lorimer men were not given much credence by the opposition Senators but there was general impression that in the last few days the Lorimer ranks had been strengthened.