Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-05-23
L0R|MER REPORTS
FILED IN SENATE
Majority Contends That No New
Evidence Has Been Produced
to Unseat Him.

struggle over the retention of William
Lorimer Of Illinois in the United States
Senate may be precipitatcd at any time
from now on until final adjournment.
The issues were drawn to-day In the
ma iorty and minority reports of the spe-
.al investigating committee. Senator
Lea for the minority introduced a res
olution declaring that corrupt practices
were employed in Lorimcrs election and
that his election therefore was invalid
This resolution will be called up later
when Senator Kern Of Indiana probably
will open the debate for the minority
Senators Kenyon of Iowa and Lea of
Tennessee, the two other minority MEM
hers of the committee, will speak.
The resolution followed the submission
to-day Of the two reports. The majority.
headed by Senator Dillingham; of Yer
mont. chairman of the committee, stood
by the Senate's previous Judgment in
favor of Lorimer. declaring that no vote
had been secured for him by bribery.
The minority contended that at least 10
votes for him in the Illinois Legislature
We're corrupt. scored Edward Hines of
Chicago and attacked the majority sup
port Of the pleas Of res ajudicata say
ing that it was inconceivable that the
majority members. "all Of them dstin-
euished lawyers would have proceeded
with the investigation without right or
jurisdiction
REPORT OF THE MAJORITY.
Washington, May 2o.-Why Senator
Lorimer should be permitted to retain
his seat in the Senate was set forth
to-day by the majority Of the Senat 9
special 1.orimer committee in their
report to the Senate. It was submit
ted by Chairman Dillingham; and ha 4
the approval Of Senators Gamble and
Jones. republicans, and Fletcher and
Johnston of Alabama. democrats.
The majority took the position that
the Senate having once "solemnlv and
deliberately" passed upon the charges
against Senator Iorimer. he should be
permitted to retain his seat unless
new and convincing evidence had been
produced establishing corruption in
his election. Absolutely no new and
substantial evidence" hal been pro-
duced at the Reconsideration, the ma
jority said, AMI consequently they de
clarel the rules of justice required the
former judgment of the Senate. up
holding Mr.. I.orimer to stand
The report dealt at length with the
evidence in an endeavor to show
nothing substantial had been produced
against Senator Lorimer. 1t also re-
viewed the legal authorities to show
that the first investigation Of the SEN
ate SHOULD be taken as final.
The controlling factor in the action
of the Senate in re-opening the case
so the majority said, was reports that
a fund Of 100000 was either raised by
or through the efforts OF Edward
Hines. the Chicago lumberma to Sc
cure the election Of Senator Losimer
STORY OF FUNK REJECTED.
The majority rejected the version tina,
Clarence s. Funk, general manager of the
International Harvester company. gave
of a conversation he held with Mr.. Hines
in the Union League club at Chicago jus,
after Senator Lor,mer's election. 1t was
during this conversation that Funk claims
Hines asked for a $4,000 contribution tc
a 5000 Lorimer fund The ma jorty
corroborated either by other witnesses OF
by any circumstances
an view of the fact that 1t was know
to Mr.. Hines" said the committee, tina
the relations existing between the officers
of the International Harvester compan.
and Mr. Lorirner were those of opponent.
ra Their than friends, it Is improbable tina
he would seek from Mr. Funk. the repre-
sentative Of that corporation. a contribu
tion to aid In the election Of Mr.. Lorimer
and 1t is inconceivable that Mr. Hines i
guilty OF an infamous crime would hav'
unreservedly revealed ii under tn
circumstances described by Mr.
Funk, and in any case to per
son with whom he had so Sigh
an acquaintance and at a time when tn
election was so fresh In the minds of tn
public And particularly when it ap
pears that at no previous time, not evel
at that time. did Mr. Hines know whom
Mr.. Funk preferred for United State
senator
In discussing Mr.. Funks testimony tina
| he had heard reports of Mr.. Illness &C
| tivites at Springfield. the majority de
cnred that "such reports must have ha
| birth In Mr.. Funks imagination"
EDITORS KNEW IT FOR MONTHS.
| Comment was passed on the fact tina
| for many months II. II. kohlsaat, edto
| of the Chicago Record Herald, Jane
Kelley, editor of the Chicago Tribun,
Victor F.. Lawson, owner of the Chicag
News. and Col. Theodore Roosevelt kne,
of Mr. Funk's version and none saw fit t
| t,fo
any person connected with any investl
cation.
"ln fact the Funk testimony" It wa
| said later in the report. has been take
cum grano sails by nearly every one VIII
has heard it. Mr.. Funk himself admitte
that he thought his story would not b
believed"
The committee reported that it did nm
that Mr. Hines was fattered by bein
consulted by Senators Aldrich and Per
rose in regard to the desire to have som
republican elected to the Senate fro,
Illinois
His sense of the Importance OF tn
matter" 1t was said. was greatly Ell
HANGED when he knew that they had bee
in conference with the President an
that Mr.. Lorimer's candidacy would NJ
be Objectionable to him, and that to !
entrusted with the responsibility OF NAL
ing known they wishes and explainir
the attitude OF the President to Govern,
Deneen and Mr.. I-orimer was a persons
; honor,
Expert accountants employed by II
committee. 1t was stated had failed
find any evidence In the books OF Edwal
Hines or Edward Tilden OF cOnnectiC
; with L-orimer election fund.