New-York tribune., 1912-01-16
L0RIMER'S LIFE STORY
He Tells of Rise from BootblaCk
to United States Senator.
DENIES WHITES BRIBE TALE
Did Not Testify in First Hearing,
He Says, Because Of Dig
nifty of Office.

WASHINGTON. Jan 1j.-Senator Lorlmei
Of Illinois. IN his testimony to-day before
the Senate committee investigating his
election, was dramatic In the extreme. He
told the story Of his life. not quite In the
way he told It In his sreech in the Senate
and with many homely details
BACKING boots At the age of ten 70 sup
port q widowed mother and five brothers
ana sisters then cash boy; laboreI
wheeling coal. house painter: streetcar
conductor and a building contractor were
tho successive steps he detailed in his
progress 10 his present position as presi-
dent of national bank. He traced his
way In politics from a constable TO a seat
IN the United States Senate.
The man under FIRE was the coolest man
IN the room while he told the story. His
voice vas unshaken except when he spoke
OF his mother-two years dead. Then his
eve gistened and his words were bit
hoarse. The ticking OF the clock was
eudible between the sentences.
TeIIs>of Broken Faith.
Tho political sensation Of the days testi-
mcay came when he declared that the
faithlessness II former Mayor Busse Of
Chicago and ex-senator Albert J. Hopkins
defeated Ex-Governor Yates in the primary
contest with Deneen. the present Governor.
He saiG Busse had promised to support
Yates and pledged a campaign fund Of
$500 which he never paid.
After that was convinced that Hopkins
had turned on his friends" said Mr. Lori
mer. and ! treated him as 1 would treat
any other man who tries to destroy my
friends"
"Why did Charles A. White vote for you
as Senator?' was one of the questions
asked to-day
He came 70 me and volunteered HIS
vote" replied Senator Lorimer. 1T was
about ten days before my election. Cidn';
solicit his vote. He was "A streetcar con-
ductor, and 7 had been one. and there Is a
fellow feeling among streetcar men in Chi
cago. Although most Of them are Demo
Gratis. whenever / have been running for
Congress ] have received 90 per cent Of
their votes
did White suggest he ought TO have
something for his vote?"
He never mentioned such thing"
This portion OF Senator Lorimer's testi-
mony developed a conflict with the state
ments Of other witnesses White told the
committee that he had never heard Mr..
Iorimer mentioned as a Senate possibility
until May "a. two days before the election.
when, he testified, Lee O'Neil Browne. who
ewas charged with having handled the
l4orimer money" came 10 his room and
fixed IL up"
Browne in turn, before the committee,
denied Whites story OF bribery and said
that White had pledged his vote TO Mr..
JOriner a week before. White denied all
that and swore that he had never seen
Lorimer or discussed his candidacy with
any one.
Tells Why He Didn't Testify.
"why didn't you testify in your owr
behalf at the former investigation asked
Judge Hanecy. That question was asked
I'm the Senate when LorimerS case was
being voted on. The fact that he did no
testify is said TO have had much weigh
IN influencing the Senate'S decision to OTde
the present reheaTirg.
"WhS, ;n the first place. counsel for D'h'
Chicago Tribune were prosecuting tn
-caSc" replied Mr.. Lorimer, and the!
stated they did not intend 10 connect m'
personally with any bribery or corruption
felt that il was below the Office l va!
holding 10 90 on the stand TO deny
charge which had not been made agains
me and that il would establish a prece.
dent of calling Senators under oath to tes
tify about any charge or lie that might bt
made against them"
At the close If tie story Of Senator Lori
mer''s life Judge Hanecy turned Senator
LOrimeT over TO counsel to the coD1mitte'
for cross examination, which had onl!
started when d recess was taken until to-
morrow morning.