New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-09
.LOR|MER SUPPORTER
ATTACKS ROOSEVELT
Senator Fletcher 0enounCes the
CoIonePS Attitude Toward
the illinois Man.
FEW LISTEN TO SPEECHES
Little Progress Made in Dispos-
ing of Case, and Several
Senators Are Still
To Be Heard.
From The Tribune Bureau

!
the Lorimer case. which, under the unani-
nous consent agreement, blocks the way
to the consideration OF all legislative mat
tiers. Senators Dillingham; and Fletcher,
| both members of the investigating COM
mittee who signed the majority report,
made speeches in defence of the Illinois
Senator Senator Dillingham; declared
there was no evidence TO show corruption
or bribery except the unconhrmed charge
| OF Charles a. White that he had received
a. brlbe. Senator Fletcher said the state
| OF public opinion was such that II was
almost impossible to secure just considera-
ton Of the case. He also made a sharp
attack on Theodore Roosevelt for his atti-
| tude toward Lorimer.
The Senate, more intent on voting than
listening to the general debate, gave per-
functory attention to the speeches. Sen
! ator Lorimer was the most patient OF the
auditors. Few OF his colleagues occupied
their seats their general attitude being
that the decision had already been reached
in the case and nothing remained except
to record IL in the final vote, which will
not be taken until late in the week. Sen
ator Dillingham; will not end his speech
until tomorrow, and Senators Jones. Ken
Won, Lea and possibly LoriIner are yet to
| be heard.
Senator Dillingham; sought to-day to show
that money paid 10 members OF the Illinois
| LEGISLATURE had been taken from Jack
| pot" fund which had been existing since
| 1897. Senator Reed, OF Missouri, asked II
It were not true that Senator Lorimer had
loaned $1,000 to Lee ONell Browne for his
defence of the legal proceedings against
him growing out OF the legislative charges.
Would Have Done tho Same.
Yes" almost snapped the Vermont Sem
ator in reply, and II had been In his
place I should have done the same thing.
II I had been convinced that there had
| been q conspiracy TO switch charges from
their original purpose ! would have con-
trtbuted TO prevent the success Of such
purpose. | should have done all in my
! power to smash such a combination"
With reference 10 the controversy be-
tween Edward Hines and c. S. Funk, gen.
eral manager OF the international Har-
vester Company, concerning the alleged
lush fund" of $4,000 in Lorimer's inter-
est, Senator Dillingham; charged that, not
withstanding professions of secrecy, Mr..
+
antl-Lorimer forces within three days after
the publication of the White story. 1t
was then" he said that the harvester
companys hat was thrown into the ring
An attack on Theodore Roosevelt for con-
demning Senator Lorimer was made by
Senator Fletcher, who said:
Theodore Roosevelt could enjoy lunch
con with Booker Washington at the
White House. but could not an9rd 10 aihe
| I'm the same room with Mr.. Lorlmer,
| member OF the club OF which he was a
guest.
The Florida Senator referred to the ex-
President as the headquarters OF moral
! ity." who condemned Lorimer on the false
allegation repeated to him by II. H. Kohl
saat that 100000 had beer raised and used
to elect Lorimer. Senator Fletcher said
Colonel Roosevelt did not know then, and
had not since taken the trouble to become
acquainted with, the facts, adding:
The damning Of a respectable citizen, the
| head of a beautiful family the represent,
alive Of state in high office, was a
welcome thing II It gave opportunity to
attitudinize as the standard OF honor ana
righteousness and the acme OF civic virtue!
| lie is the man aspiring for the highest
| honors OF the country, and on his hamboy-
ant arrival in Chicago on the 10Th or last
month engaged in the frantic eHort 70
nominate himself for third term, MADE
a speech in which he denounced his OPP
ponents on the Republican National Com
| rntttee as celebrating robbery and as
| being guilty of "brazen theft
| So1,e of these traducers and defamers
! would do we'll to study Mr.. Lortmers lie
| and strive TO approach, as he can the
! ideals of Kiplng.
Honey Thunder Press.
| Senator Fletcher characterized the anu
L,orimer newspapers as the honey thunder
press" which had poisoned the public MIND
to drive Lorimer out or politics IN
Illinois"
Mr.. Fletcher expressed the opinion that
Senator Iorimer would not stoop to the
purchase OF votes or the debauching OF
legislature, and would surrender his once
II he felt his election had been the result