The Washington herald., 1911-01-07
MEMBERS LINE UP
FOR LORIMER VOTE
Storm Will Break Monday
in the Senate.
RECOMMITTAL TO BE FOUGHT
First Count of Noses on Retention
Question will Come When Motion
Is Made TO RecOmmit Report to
Committee-SenatOr Owen to Lead.
Beveridge to File Minority Report.

the storm that has been gathering over
the Lorimer case is expected to break in
the Senate Monday shortly after that
body convenes. Senator Owen who has
given notice of his intention to address
the Senate in opposition to seating the ac-
cused Senator from Illinois, will start
the attack and Senator Beveridge, who
is to file minority report in opposition
to the cause of Senator Lorimer. will also
be heard.
The first count of noses with regard to
the Lorimer case is likely to come when
motion is made 10 recommit to the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections the
report submitted 20 the Senate prior to
the holiday recess. 1t seems now that
the motion will be defeated. Senator
Borah and the Republican insurgents are
against this course believing it will re-
suit in long delay and nonaction at this
session of Congress.
1t is understood that the members of the
Committee on Privileges and Elections
are opposed to recommittal because they
do not wish tacitly to admit that they
have failed in the investigation that they
made. Senator Lorimer and his friends
are said 10 he opposed to the plan to
refer the matter back to the committee.
Senator Baron. of Georgia, is one who
faVOrs reComittal
Il have not read all the evidence,
declared Senator Bacon, but from what
j have learned bribery was employed in
the election. | believe the committee
should endeavor TO trace this down and
establish the guilt of those involved In
my opinion. Senator Lorimer should have
been examined under oath by the COM
mittee. In the interest of a fuller eN-
animation into the case. | favor recon-
initial.
Democrats Lining Up.
The Democrats in the Senate are lin
ing up strongly against Lorimer. 1t is
predicted now that less than half a
dozen members OF the minority party in
the Senate will indorSe the action of
their colleagues in signing the report of
the Privileges and Elections Committee
for the vindicaton of the Illinois Senator
Senator Overman. of North Carolina.
came out Yesterday against Senator
LOrimer. He said:
L am opposed to the report submitted
BY the committee. for. to my mind, there
is evidence of bribery. The Senate can
not afford to ignore such evidence.
Other Democratic Senators who are
against Senator Lorimcr are Cu!bcrSon, of
Texas: Stone. Of Missouri: RaNncr and
Smith, of Maryland: Frazier, Of Tenne
Swanson. of Virginia. II IS understood
that Senator Root, of New York, will also
probably be against Lorimer.
curious position is being taken by
friends of Mr.. Loriner with reference
TO the size of the vote necessary to
move him from ,ne Senate. They are
quoting the constitutional provision de-
claring that each House may punish its
members for disorderIy behavior, and.
with the concurrence Of two-thirdS eXpel
member, and are insisting that this
applies to the case of the blond boss
But Mr.. Lorirner has not been charged
with .disorderly behavior" as a member
of the Senate.
Precedents i'm Senate.
The Senate has expelled members for
treason. for high misdemeanor inconsist-
ent with public duty, for friendship or
association with enemies of the govern
ment, for being absent from their seats
and for earring arms against the gov
ernment. 1t has seated. by a ma iority
vote, members against whose election
charges OF fraud and corruption We're
made. The precedent established in the
latter class of cases. in the opinion of
constitutional lawyers. applies without
question to the case OF Mr.. Lorimer.
In behalf Of the junior Senator from
Illinois, il is argued this rule would ap-
ply only in the event that the motion un-
der consideration calls for his exclusion
on the ground that sufficient number
of votes cast for him were tainted to re-
duce his majority below that required
Ivy law. If. however. he be directly con-
nected with the corruption. and a mo-
tion be made declaring his seat vacant on
such grounds, then, il is asserted, this
will constitute reflection upon his per-
sonal integrity, and that he consequently
can he expelled only by a two-thirds
vote.
BcyeridEe keeping Mum.
Senator Beverdge is not disclosing the
character of his report The view he will
present will have a tremendous hearing
upon the action Of the Senate. and the
kind OF arguments which will be made
For instance, if he holds sufficient num-
her of votes be tainted to justify a dec
laration that the seat of Mr.. I.orimer is
vacant, it is difficult to see how the con-
tention can be advanced that the two
thirds rule should apply
If. on the other hand, he decides the
evidence is sufficient for the conviction
that MIR. Lorimer was connected directly
with the corruption, then a determined
effort will be made to have the Senate
observe this rule.
Altogether. Mr.. Beyeridge's report will
be document of the highest interest
Undoubtedly it will be printed in the
Record, and the entire country thus will
have an opportunity of aScertaining the
basis for the finding of the Indiana Sem
ator that Mr.. Lorimer should not remain
in the Senate of the United States.
Merchant Marine Congress Called.
The merchant marine committee of the