Norwich bulletin., 1912-01-16
Once
A BOOtbIaCk
SENATOR TELLS OF HIS HUMBLE
ORIGIN,
REVIEWED HIS CAREER
Says White Volunteered to Vote fer
Him Because Both Had Been Street
Car cenduetors-A Cool Witness.

Washington, Jan 15.-Senater Lori
n1er Of Illinois in his. testimony today
before the senate committee investi-
eating his election was dramatic in the
extreme. He told the story of his life,
not quite in the way he told 1t in his
speech in the senate, and with many
honely details.
5oothlack at Age of Ten.
A bootblack at the age of 10 to sup
port widowed mother and five broth
erB and sisters, then a cash boy, a Ia
borer at wheeling coal, a public painter,
q street car conductor and building
contractor were the successive steps
he detailed in his progress to his pres
ent position as president Of a national
bank He traced his way in politics
from a constableship to a seat in the
United states senate.
Voice Husky in Speaking Of Mother.
The man under fire was the coolt st
man in the room while he testified.
His voice WAS unshaken except when
he spoke Of his mothe--two years
dead. Then his eyes glistened and his
voice was a bit husky.
Charges FaithIsssness.
The political sensation Of the days
testimony was when he declared that
the faithlessness of ex- Mayor Bushe of
Chicago and ex-senator Albert ]. Hop
kins defeated Ex-Governor Yates in the
primary contest with Deneen, the pres
ent governor. He said Bussee had
promised to support Yates and pledged
a campaign fund of $500 which he
never paid.
Hopkins Turned on His Friends.
After that 1 was convinced that
Hopkins had turned on his friends, -
said Lorimer, and I treated him es
would treat any other man who tries
to destroy my friends"
'FWhy did Charles A. White vote for
you as SENATOR" was one of the ques-
tions asked today.
White was the former member Of the
Illinois legislature whose alleged con-
| fession of bribery published in a Chi
| cago newspaper formed the foundation
Of the inquiry into Senator LorimerE
election.
White Volunteered His Vote.
He came to me and volunteered his
I vote" replied Senator Lorimer. IT
was about ten days before my election
didn't solicit. his vote. He was a
street car conductor, and 1 had been
| one and there is fellow feeling omong
/
| most Of them are democrats, whenever
have been running for congress ]
\ have received 80 per cent of their
votes"
A Pertinent Question.
Did White suggest he ought to have
something for his vote?"
He never mentioned such a thing
why didn't you testify in your OWL
haI, .
asked Judge Hanecy. That question
was asked in tn esenate when Lori
nner's case was being voted upon. The
fact that he did not testify is said tc
have had much weight IN infuencins
the senate's decision to order the pres
| ent rehearing.
Lorimer's Explanation.
'FWhy, In the first place counsel fol-
| the Chicago Tribune were prosecuting
| the case" replied Mr.. Lorimer, land
they stated they did not intend to con-
meet me personally with any bribery OF
corruption. I felt that it was below
| the ONCE was holding to go on the
stand to deny charge which had moi
been mads against me, and that il
would establish a precedtnt Of calling
senators under oath to testify about
any charge or lie that might be made
against them"
| Used to This Sort of Storm.
'Bid you take into consideration thC
| country interest in your case %
asked Senator Jones.
I'VE had that in mind, but it nigh
not have the same effect on me now
I have lived through this sort of Z
storm good many years and I suppos,
! I thought il all the people lived in
Chicago they wouldn't think this as
sa.ult unusual Had it been the frs
attack, might have felt different"