Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-01-13
L0R|M|ER TELLS
OF KEWSPAP
F|GHTSHE FACED

: Committee He Has Been
Constantly Opposed by
Chicago Press Since 1886.
Washington, D. c., Jan. 12.-Senator
Lorimer's testimony before the senate
Investigating committee was con-
tinued today. Mr.. Lorimer related his
experiences in politics since 1885 with
the intent to give evidence of what he
says has always been the constant OPP
position of certain Chicago news
papers to anything with which he
was connected" 1t seems certain that
the senator's testimony will take
much longer than was first estimated.
Elbridge Hanecy, his counsel, Is lead
ing him through a recital OF consecu-
tive events which date back twenty
five years and have certain political
significance. The factional fights IN
Illinois are told In detail.
1t is the contention of Senator Lori
mer's defense that the political his
tory of the republican party In the
state will show that Mr.. Lorimer was
the only republican who could have
been elected to the senate by the legis-
lature In 1909. .....-....... sg
(. Summarizes Opposing Evidence.
Il think that Governor Deneen and
the Tribune people were in con-
spiracy to get me out of the senate" !"
said Senator Lorimer. r.
t'Do you still think Governor Deneen
was in that conspiracy" asked Sen
ator Kern. ...-a..t
"I do, and believe Chas. A: White
was bought and paid for" u .
1t was published statement OF
Whites alleging that he had been
paid to vote for Lorimer, which began
the inquiry into Senator Lorimer's
election. III .s .,.ss>a5g ~,
Z "After had been elected, one of the
McCormicks met Postmaster General
Hitchcock in Chicago and insisted that
should not be recognized IN the pat
ronage In my state. But have always
fe,,t that :sls n ltth eeek had bepa car
dial to me.
Il, believe Beckemeyer made his
confession to escape an indictment
that was pending against him. Holt
slaw's confession think was obtain
ed in the same way by persons In the
employ of the Tribune. / believe that
Link was indicted without any warrant
of law, that the indictment was held
over his head until he made the state
ments which they wanted. After he
did that, the indictment against him
was quashed. They did the same with
the others
Tells Of Newspaper Opposition.
In telling the story of his early life
in politics and of his differences with
some of the Chicago newspaper pub
fishers, Mr.. Lorimer said the opposi-
tion of H. H. Kohlsaat to him began
at the Chicago convention that nomi-
mated James G. Blaine for president.
"I was a Blaine man and began to
organize the Illinois delegation for
him. said Senator Lorimer. Mr..
Koh]saat sent one Of his men to tell
me that he had no objection if voted
for Blaine myself. but that must stop
working to split the Illinois delegation
or he would put me out of public life.
went on just the same, we split the
and Blaine was nomi-
mated"
"Did you ever talk to Mr.. Eohlsatt
about driving you out of the party?"
asked Senator Kern.
Never Talked With kohlsaat.
81 don't think I ever talked to him
in my life," replied Mr.. Lorimer, but
what happened afterward verified
what he said A newspaper story came.
out that I had stolen s500,00o from
the Chicago water department. Ex-
pert bookkeepers reported had
turned in every cent I collected About
four lines was printed to that effect.
however, and the impression was left
with manv people that I had stolen
the money
Differences with the late Joseph
Medill. owner of the Tribune, he tes-
titled, began when Mr.. Medill was said
to have been candidate for the
United States senate. -.
at was about 1885," said Senator
Lorimer. when he sent for me and
7 told him it would be impossible to
elect him. I told him I couldn't sup
port him as many of my friends were
pledged to Col. G. M. Davis. Col.
Davis later released them with the
request that they work for Mr.. Medill
but the latter withdrew before the
caucus adjourned and from that time
his attacks on the men who had hest.
tated but were willing to support him
were very bitter. He never indicated
what his grievances were and he never
connected the attacks with his candi-
--
80 Below at Waterloo.
Waterloo, Jan. r. The minimum
here this morning was