The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1912-04-04

ILLINOIS SOLON EXONERATED OF
KNOWLEDGE OF LEGISLA-
TIVE CORRUPTION.
TO DEBATE NEXT WEEK
Charge That Edward Hines Contrib.
uted Fund Improperly Is Repudi-
ated.-Other Congressional
News.

Washington, March 20. 49, Senator
Lorimer of Illinois, won an overwhelm.
ing vindicatiOn at the hands of the
special committee of eight senators
who have finished a second investiga-
ton OF his election by the Illinois leg
islature in 1909. Twice challenged
and once acquitted, the committee by
votes of five to three on all vital points
completely exonerated him of any
knowledge of legislative corruption.
Edward Hines, the millionaire lum-
herman, referred to in the investiga-
ton as the man who put Lorimer
over," also got a vindication by the
committee. It had been charged that
Hines raised a corruption fund of
100000 to elect Lorimer to the senate.
The majority repudiated that and pass
ed resolution that the evidence had
shown that he did not raise or con-
tribute any sum improperly.
No New Damaging Evidence.
The majority held that no new evil
dence had been adduced to justify
reversal of the senate's previous
action in Senator Lorimers favor;
that there was no evidence of jack
pot in the Illinois general assembly
of 1909 in connection with his election
and, fatty, that no corrupt practices
had been shown by the Investigation
The case will be squarely before
the senate probably next week when
protracted debate will begin. Meth
er side has made thorough canvass
of the situation. Republican leaders
point out that there will be about q
new senators to vote on the case in
addition to those who have already
voted on substantially the same
charges.
The basis OF the committees action
was the plea raised by Lorimer's coun-
sci that the previous action of the
senate bars reconsideration.
The majority report on the main
proposition will be signed by Senators
Dillingham;, Gamble, Fletche>, John
ston and Jones, and the minority by
Senators Kenyon, Kern and Lea.
Senator Jones was against Senator
Lorimer on the first investigation. He
reversed his position and presented
three of the leading resolutions to ex.
onerate Lorimer.
Contention of the Minority.
The contention of the minority mem
bers will be that the senate passed
on the question of the former ad-
judication when it ordered the present
investigation. Their viewpoint is that
the new Investigation has developed
much pertinent to Lorimer's election,
which the old committee failed to dis
cover SO that doubts as to the correct
ness of State Senator Holstlaws con.
fession have been dispelled; that
States Attorney Wayman of Chicago
has clearly refuted the claim that CO.
ercion was used to extort confessions
and that Representative Whites con.
fession was corroborated in many par.
ticulars. They claim that the res
pudicata plea is lawyers subterfuge
to befog the real issue.
The bill by Representative Hughes
of New Jersey, Democrat, virtually
taxing out of existence the phosphorus
match industry in the United States,
was passed by the house after heat
ed debate. The vote, 1853 to 80, was
remarkable in that Minority Leader
Mann was the only Republican who
Joined the Democratic opposition to
the measure. The high death rate
among workers in the phosphorus
match factories of the country inspired
the bill.
The main features of the law will
go into effect on July /, 1913, if the
bill passes the senate.
r. A. Munsey a Witness.
Frank A. Munsey has been sum-
moned to appear before the Stanley
steel trust Investigating committee.
He will be interrogated about an ar
ticle printed in a magazine relating
to valuation of the property of the
Tennessee Coal and Iron company.
He will be asked by Chairman Stanley
if he had not submitted his figures
to e. H. Gary and others interested in
the United States Steel corporation
before the article was published.