Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-01-10
Never Paid Anything to Any
body to Further His Election
Senator Tells Attorney For
InQuiSition,
RELATES HIS DEALINGS
WITH GOVERNOR DENEEN
Became Candidate at SuggeS-
ton of Illinois Executive Who
Was Bitterly Opposed to
Election of Hopkins.

IBy Morning journal Special Leased Wire. ]
Washington. Jan. 9.-Senator Will
liam Lorlmer today began testifyins
in his own defense. 1t was the Illinois
senator's first appearance in the wit
ness chair since the senate ordered an
Investigation of his election.
The first question put to Lorimer
after the latter had taken the stand
was blunt and leading.
did you ever pay anything of val
ue to anybody for your election?" was
demanded.
Il never did Senator Lorimer re-
Piled.
Then Judge Hanecy repeated the
question in different forms, evident
lv framed to cover the same inquiry
from every angle or construction and
each time Senator Lorimer turned his
face to the committee and replied.
Il never did"
Lorimer told how, when he was
running fol congress- in 1908 +. NJ.
Blount, campaign manager for Senl-
tor Hopkins, had sent him cam
paign contribution of $500 which he
returned saying: Il have paid all my
election expenses myself at both the
primary and the polls without accept
ing a cent from anybody and there
fore | cannot accept yours
Most of Senator Lorimers testi-
mony was of conversations with Gov
ernor Deueen about the senatorial
election in the Illinois legislature and
he brought out the breach between
Hopkins and Deneen.
when ] met Deneen by appoint
ment in January, 1909" he said, "he
felt that he had been treated harsh
ly in the state committee meeting by
Senator Hopkins, Mayor Busse and
Postmaster Dan Campbell of Chicago.
He felt the fair primary had origin
ated with him and he did not want
To return to the old soap box system,
He was afraid Busse would use the
Chicago police force to defeat his
friends and he felt that If he and l
cO-operated we would have a major
ity in the convention and could force
fair primary. Deneen said it was TO
the best interests Of the people that
Hopkins should not be-relected and
he assured me that he would not help
him. That was the first time l knew
Hopkins. Ny own opinion was that
he would defeat Hopkins il he could.
and we began discussing Deneen's own
candidacy.
81 urged him to become a candi-
date. At first he indicated that he
would like time to think it over. He
did not encourage it and he did not
repel it. Later he said he did not see
how he could. as he had only recent
ly been elected governor and he did
not think the people Of the state
would understand. 1t was suggested
that We delay the election until Hop
kins seat became vacant with the idea
that there might then he "A popular
demand to have the seat filled and
boueen might take it.
"Dcneen did not think it consistent
90 take the senatorship after Hopkins
had received plurality in the pri-
mary In the meantime he thought
he could keep enough OF his friends
opposed To Hopkins to prevent his
election"
Did Governor Deneen ever sug-
gest that you become a candidate
Frequently. He said l could be
elected. but | never took him serious
ly until the other candidates had been
exhausted. He made the suggestion
every time we had a conference
When Senator Lorimer's testimony
reached that stage a recess was order
"a and he will continue tomorrow.
Before Senator Lorimer testified
Edward Hines. the Chicago lumber
man. and H. 4. J. Upham Of Nil
waukee. a business partner or Sena-
Tor stephenson, told of the conference
,H ace. Union League Club IL Chicago
NJ y -. 1909. the day following Lori
. rs election.
heir testimony was intended 10
1roye that Hines had used the
n during alleged efforts % Tciu-
60 100000 fund which was said
ave been used in electing Senator
mer.