Mexico Missouri message., 1912-07-18

White had been bribed TO vote for
Lorimer for senator.
Lorimer was elected by a combna.
tiCn of Democrats and Republicans in
the legislature Shortly after the pub
lication Of the White story the new
senator arose in the senate chamber
and demanded an investigation of his
election. A senate committee headed
by Senator Burrows Republican,
Michigan took up the task For near
ly four months, September to Decem-
Der, 1910, the committee took testi-
mony at Chicago and Washington, and
finally submitted report generating
Lorlmer a minority report, however,
presented by Senator Beveridge of
Indiana, sustained the charges against
Lorimer
indicated at First Inquiry.
After lengthy debate, in the course
of which LOrimer delivered a sensa-
tIonally brilliant speech defending
himself, the majority report was
adopted by the senate on March /,
1911, by a vote of 46 to 40, five not
voting.
Meanwhile the case had startled
Illinois and the state was ablaze with
the developments. Indictment after
indictment was found against the
members of the legislature which
elected Lorimer White had con
fessed" that he was given $1,000 by
Representative Lee O'Neil Browne.
Democratic leader of the legislature.
and 5000 by Representative Robert 0.
Wilson to vote for Lorimer. Browne
was indicted for bribery. At his first
trial the jury disagreed and at the sec
ond trial he was acquitted. Charges
of jury bribing in connection with this
acquittal were made, but jury which
tried the jury bribery case disagreed.
Representatives Wilson and Michael
S. Link were indicted for perjury.
The Illinois legislature took up the
scandal and the Helm" invest eating
committee was appointed, after the
United States senate had exoHerated
Lorimer. While this commission was
in session, Clarence S, Funk. general
manager of the International Harves-
ter company, testified that he had
been asked by Edward Hines, the
wealthy lumberman, who had been
closely interested in the Lorimer case
! 100000 fund to help put Lorlmer
over at Springfield" This created
another sensation and resulted in re-
opening of the case in the senate. A
special committee of eight began a re-
! investigation of the case. Once more
| the sordid stories of alleged bribery
and corruption were dragged out and
once more the numerous confessions
made their appearance. Nearly 100
witnesses We're examined.
Conducts Own Defense.
Meantime Lorimer, the calmfaced
object of the bitter attacks, took his
place daily in the senate chamber and
conducted his own defense against tie
charges that his place had been
| bought.
The second committee headed by
! Senator Dillingham; Of Vermont,
brought in majority report again eX-
onerating Lorimer and a minority re-
| port condemning him. Again the de-
bate began, and for months the mat
| ter was under discussion.
Throughout the second investiga.
ton Senator Lorimers health failed
rapidly. At one time he was kept
at his home in Chicago for weeks by
his failing heart, and lis physician
fatty refused to allow him to return
to Washington. For this reason the
consideration of the second report in
the senate was delayed from week to
week to allow him time to appear in
| his own defense. He has been con.
stantly in his place in the senate,
however, since the time for a vote was
! fixed