New-York tribune., 1912-01-13
.LORINEP'S FRIENDS MANY
Senator Says Lifelong ACquaInt-
anCes Elected Him.
GOES BACK TO CHILDHOOD
Denies knowledge of Corruption
and Attacks Truth OF
the Confessions. y

Washinctou. Jan. 12-SCnator Lorimer'
of Illinois. continuing his testimony to-dd!
before the Senate investigating commlttee'
undertook 10 explain the individual mo-
lives which caused los members Of the
Illinois Legislature 10 cast their ballots
for him The aggregate Of his recital was
a Ionc story Of boyhood friendships grown
70 powerful influence in party councils ana
political alliances which had their ncep-
lion with the froliCkng Of children at play
I'm tho streets Of Chicago.
i've known that man all my life. prob
ably since ! was ten years old; and he had
gone through some hard knocks himself
and felt as if he wanted to help some one
else who had Deer through it, too. was one
of the answers he frequently gave.
Some Of his explanations were homely
stories of his political life thirty years ago.
before he became a national figure.
Explains About Democrats.
How did Nanny Abrahams come TO
vote for you?" was asked. Abrahams is
Democrat. and was called the bellwether
because he led the voting on the rollcall.
Senator Lorimer said:
Why. many years ago he was just begin
ming 10 he a leader among ms people III
Chicago, and many Of them. comins, as as I'm, M
migrants tried TO make living peddllng on
D.. the streets The license fee was va lol
Of money for a poor man in strange coun.
try--and he used TO come TO my mouse di
night and ask me to help them. 80 uSed
TO get permits for them 10 peddle until
they made money enough 10 get OUT
licenses. That was the start OF our IHehu-
ship.
How did Jandus come to vote for you?'
Jandus was another Democrat.
II had done him many little favors. /
remember having got a job or so for a
poor friend Of his. I suppose in my
political life I have got jobs for 5000 or
5000 men, but I don't remember all those
little things"
What about Broderick?'
why John-Tve known John fifteen
years. and all his friends are friends OF
my friends. He's been very kind to me-
Whenever I had a contest he would go
and see some Of his people. He was al
ways friendly TO me-"
What about Holstlaw?' He was alleged
10 have made a confession that he re-
ceived money TO vote for LCrimer.
THE first / remember Of him was be-
fore nv election. He came and asked me
II / would be opposed to a postmaster who
was a saloonkeeper. ] told him dldn |
think a mans business made any differ
ence IL he had a good character and would
make a good postmaster. lie went away
saving: You have the reputation Of stand
ing by your friends. and I'm going TO vote
for you.
Mr.. Lorimer had gone about half way
through the list of the legislators WHO
voted for him, when an adjournment was
taken until Monday morning.
Denied knowledge of Corruption
Earlier in the day the Senator had made
dramatic denial of any knowledge OF
corruption in connection with his election
and in an equally dramatic way charged
that Governor Deneen and The chicago
Tribune" were forwarding conspiracy
10 drive him from the Senate.
DO YOU think Governor Deneen Is STU
in the conspiracy against your
Il certainly do" replied Mr.. Lorimer.
you say these things, having in mind
the confessions of Holstlaw Breckmeyer
and Linkg" The Senator said:
Yes. thf whole machinery Of the state
Attorncyf office was used against me &c
get those alleged confessions. Link ahd
HoIstlaw were indicted for offences which
were not indictabIe at all They were tole
they would he sent TO the pcnltentlary aho
away from their wives and children, anc
after they signed statements when attoI.
news I'm the employ Of my enemies prepared
the indictments against them were qudshed