The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-10
On Verge of Vote

Washington, july 9-A1ter an lneHect-
ual attempt to conclude consideration of
the case against William Lorimer, the
Senate this afternoon recessed until 10
O'Clock tomorrow morning to allow Mr..
Lorimer an opportunity to close his de-
Tense Just before the days session closed
the Senate was on the verge of a vote
on the resolution declaring the Lorimer
seat vacant. but an agreement was
reached allowing further debate tomor-
row
When Senator Dillingham; of Vermont
concluded his three days speech in sup
port OF Senator Lorimer shortly after 3
o'clock this afternoon, although half a
dozen speakers were expected to address
the Senate. no one arose Senator CALM
ger, in the chair, already had begun to
put the question when. in the midst of
confusion. Senator Lorimer got recogni-
tion and pleaded for time to get his notes
together for the final speech Senator
Lea of Tennessee and Senator Kenyon
of Iowa, both members of the Lorimer
investigating committee. and both sched-
uled to speak against Loriner, were NOT
present A 80 minutes recess was taken
to allow time for conferences. The anti
Lorimer leaders endeavored to get an
agreement to close debate at 8 o'clock
t.morrow afternoon, but were unsuccess-
full The conferences were without result
and when the Senate reconvened no con-
clusion had been reached. A recess until
tomorrow then was taken.
In concluding his speech defending
NJ IT, H.. xtf Al~ -
the s10o, 900 "slush fund" story of GEN
eral Manager Funk of the Internation-
al Harvester company. He said this
story had been known for some time
before Funk made 1t public. He as
serted that Funks desire to keep 1t Sc
cret grew out of his fear of Lorimer's
power of senator
This story was never used where 1t
could be subjected to legal investiga-
ton" said Senator Dillingham;. 1T was
never used except for the purpose of
bringing death to William Lorimer."
Papers Responsible
Continuing his speech in support of
Senator Lorimer's right to his seat, Sem
ator Fletcher of Florida today declared
that opposition to the Illinois senator
was due TO certain newspapers.
'It is a newspaper war" he said.
"Iet the people rule; we are the peo-
ple,' say the papers.
"They say that Lorimer was elected
by the aid of democrats. Are there
not other republican senators similar
cratic senators who have been elected
by the aid of republicans? Are we to
eject all such senators?"
He traced Mr.. Lorimer's bipartisan
election to the Illinois constitution. He
contended that there was no evidence
whatever that predatory wealth had
been factor either in Iorimers cleo
tion or in his retention of his seat
Taggart Before Committee
Washington, July 9.-"When we got
piled Thomas Taggart. chairman of the
democratic national committee in 1904
when asked today by the Senate cam
paign expenditure committee IL he over
figured up the receipts and expendi-
lures of his committee during the Parker
campaign.
..The court will take judicial notice of
that" retorted Chairman Carp.
Mr. Taggart swore that while the treas
urer's books came into his possession
Just before the Denver convention in 1903.
he burned them and ''other dead matter"
before turning over matters to Norman
e. Mack, the new chairman in 1893.
Mr.. Taggart was unable to remember
much about contributions. From hearsay
he expressed a belief that August Bel
mont. Thomas r. Ryan and Cord Meyer
all of New York. had contributed.
These were probably three among thou
sands. but I Just do not reraember the
others said Mr. Taggart.
Il suppose You were a contributor, .
suggested Senator Oliver
II expect I was. Whatever it was |
contributed TO the Indiana state fund"
How much did you contribute?"
II cannot recall definitely
"Well, approximately"
"I suppose I would be safe in say
ing $1,000"
The witness estimated that the COM
mittee had 90 or 80 men soliciting funds
throughout the states. He insisted, that
George F. Peabody. the treasurer, had
charge of the finances. or was, at least
in position TO know all about them. I'M
mediately after the campaign Mr.. Tag
CART said Mr.. Peabody resigned and
August Belmont succeeded him.
Il do not know whether Mr.. Pea
body was disguised or not" added Mr.
Taggart.