Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-01-09
SENATOR OWEN ARRAIoNs
ILLINOIS POLITICAL METHODS
Oklahoma Senator Delivers seathins
Osnuneiation Of Manner in Which
Lorimer's Election Was Procured
AnaIyxss Testimony Taken Before
Sub. Committee.

Der OF the COmmlItee on privileges anu
elections, which investigated the
charges Of bribery against Lorimer.
gained a tactical victory by filing
report attacking the position
OF his colleagues on the committee
who voted to eSonerate the Illinois
senator. Owen, however, introduced
resolution to declare the election of
Lorimer illegal and void, but he was
not permitted to address the senate in
its support. The senate held the res
olution under the rules would have to
so over until tomorrow.
esvsridss's Conclusions.
Beveridge then submitted his report.
the conclusion Of which was:
THAT this election was invalid under
any possible view of law. II the sem
ate so concludes 1t is our duty so to
declare. Therefore I submit the fol-
lowing resolution:
Resolved, that William Lorimer is
not duly and legally elected to a seat
in the senate Of the United States leg
islature Of Illinois"
Before the report was filed Lorimer
made brief speech declaring his in
nocence Of bribery, and the innocence
Of his friends Of any particiuation In
corrupt practices in connection with
his election. He announced his inten-
tion to be present during the discus
sion Of the case.
Starts Parliamentary Row.
A parliamentary tangle in the senate
as to which of the two senators desir-
ing to open the attack upon Lorimer
should have precedence was not settled
until after an appeal was taken from
the ruling OF Vice President Sherman
and he had been reversed. Owen was
first recognized, but Beveridge demand
ed the regular order. The vice presi-
dent ruled the Owen resolution the
highest privilege and that he had the
right to the floor. Promptly appealing
from the chair. Beveridge was sup
ported by a majority of the senate on
his contention that the Owen resolution
would have to lie over one day under
the rules.
Shows Bribery.
Beveridge's minority report was then
read to the senate. The report reviews
the testimony bearing upon the alleged
acceptance Of bribes by four members
Of the legislature, and the testimony Of
these men that bribes were paid to
three other members. The minority re-
port declares this undisputed fact is
q conclusive force, altho the majority
ignores 1t, and that the confessed bribe
takers were shown to have had in their
possession unusually large sums Of
money soon after the dates when they
swore to have agreed to the alleged
bribes.
Must Believe Confessions.
Beveridge then devoted considerable
attention to the claim of the majority
that at least three Of those who con-
fessed having received bribes had been
Compelled" or driven" to make these
confessions because Of the treatment
received from officers Of Cook and
Sansamon counties. Illinois. In this
connection the report says:
What the senate must determine Is
whether it believes as a matter OF fact
that these men actually did receive
money which they testified to having
received" He said the conduct OF Of
ncers Of justice had nothing to do Will,
the case.
"Whois Election Foul"
Beveridge holds that il only one
case OF bribery Is clearly established
1t makes the whole election foul
I'VE can not consider the personal
fortunes or feelings Of the candidate
The candidate is not on trial: the elec-
ito MS on trial"
Even II the corruption fund came
from sources higher up" Lorimer, in
law, must be held. Beveridge holds, to
have knowledge OF these transactions In
his behalf. After the morning business
was concluded Owen Again gained the
floor and made his speech.
A scathirg arraignment Of the man
ner in which Mr.. Lorimer was elected
was made by Mr.. Owen. who asserted
that the testimony taken by the sub
committee which Investigated the case
showed that at least ten votes OF the
10S received by Mr.. Lorimer should no,
have been counted. Other senators
who are known to oppose the retention
by Mr.. Lcrimer OF his seat have moi
claimed that more than seven votes
were tainted.
Owen Gives Reasons.
The ten votes condemned by Mr
Owen and the reasons assigned by him
for his belief that they should not have
been counted were as follows:
Senator D.. w. Holtslaw, who con.
fessed that he had received money
from Senator John Broderick: Johr
Broderick. because Of his refusal tc
testify in the Investigation on the
ground that his testimony might IN
criminate him: Representative H. J. c
Beckemeyer. who confessed 70 an al
legged corrupt agreement with Minority
Leader Lee O'Neil Browne ana to re-
ceivlng money from Representative
Robert =. Wilson: Representatives