Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-08
DENOUNCES BRIBETAKER
Continues Speech in Defense of the
Blond Boss"
NO VOTE BEFORE THURSDAY
Senators Jones, Lea, Fletcher, Ken
Won and Others Yet to Be Heard
Before Case Is Ended.

| unanimous consent and agreement that 1t
must be disposed Of before any other
business is taken up and before the ad-
journment of the legislative day of last
Saturday. Senator Dillingham; held the
floor most of today with continuation
of his speech. begun Saturday, in de-
fense of the blond boss Indications
were this afternoon that final vote
would not be reached before Thursday or
Friday. as speeches are still to be made
| by Senators Jones, Lea, Fletcher, Ken
| yon and others.
1t was Senator Dillinghams contention
| today that an adverse verdict against
Mr.. LOrfmer must rest solely upon the
testimony of Charles A. White, self-con-
fessed bribe taker. He is the only man
Jackpot of the 1909 Illinois legislature,
Mr.. Dillingham; contended. who says the
money was paid for voting for Lorlmer.
Recalls First Investigation.
Senator Dillingham; renewed his
speech by recalling the circumstances
| and result Of the first investigation of
the Lorimer case. He pointed out that
1t was nearly q year after Mr. Lorimer
had taken his seat in the Senate that
charges of corruption in the Lorimer
election, framed by Charles A. White.
who confessed to accepting bribe. were
publicly made. He recalled the vindica
tion of Mr.. Lorimer which followed that
investigation and then reviewed the cir
cumstances which led up to the second
inquiry. emphasizing the new testimony
brought out by the Helm committee of
the Illinois legislature tending to show
fund used to put Lorimer oveE." But
the resolution directing the new probe, he
said, threw the doors of investigation
wide open.
BY the resolution. he pointed out. the
Investigating committee was directed to
look particularly into the alleged Jack
pot" fund. From the witnesses heard by
the committee, he said, 1t was found
that there was general belief that a
Jackpot fund was feature Of the Illi-
linois legislature for several years, used
to help or retard specific legislation. Wit
neSses he quoted had testified that 1t
was general belief. but not q matter
Of proof. that "jackpots' had existed in
connection with g1he Illinois Legislature.
From this eFfdence," he added, ''the
committee found III clear that the term
Jackpot as Used by the people Of Illi-
nois: referred to a supposed fund to be
used corruptiy for influencing legislation.
And without direct positive proof, ex-
cept circumstantial evidence, the COM
fnittee concluded there were .jackpots' in
| the legislature. Personally. I am con-
1t seems clear, Mr.. Dillingham; con-
tinued that there was a Jackpot in
the Illinois legislature of 10O9 the ses-
| sion that elected Senator Lorimer.
Funds Purpose Vital Question.
1T is on the character and purpose OF
| that fund that the case must be de-
cided," Senator Dillingham; continued IF
that was an ordinary jackpot fund to be
| used for the help or defeat of legisla-
| ton. 1t was the jackpot fund about which
| there had been common gossip. But If
that fund was raised to elect Mr. Lori
mer, the case is q different one
Charles A. White Is the only one OF
the four men who got money from that
Jackpot who says 1t was used to elect
William Lorimer. The others say the
money was from the ordinary jackpot;
and White himself admits $500 of the
$1.90O he received was from the ordinary
jackpot fund.
"The Senate, in determining this case,
must say whether the testimony Of White
will be used to blast the character OF
| Mr. Lorimer and send him forth from
this body"
Senator Dillingham; proceeded to ana
lyze the testimony Of White, and to re-
view his career as a lobbyist and member
OF the Illinois legislature, condemning his
morals and ideals without stint
His story that he received 81 600 to
vote for Mr.. LOrimer Is the subterfuge
| TO carry out the purposes OF a corrupt
| mind. Mr.. Dillingham; remarked. 1T is
the word of such q man that must be
| accepted. IL Mr.. LOrimer is to be turned
| out Of this body"
He read testimony to show that Whites
reason for getting into the legislature was
Tor the purpose OF getting some jackpot
money and to show that White endeavor-
ed to get some graft" from interests
affected by pending legislation He read
many letters. he said. to show that White
was a regular follower Of Lee O'Neil
Browne. democratic leader in the lower
house Of the Illinois legislature Browne
was one Of the democrats who voted for
| Mr.. Lorimer.
rs it conceded" asked Senator Reed,
| that Browne paid money to White?"
Absolutely" replied Mr.. Dillingham;
and he paid money to three or four
others"
That was from a corruption fund.-"
THAT Is my view replied MIR. Dilling-
| ham.
els it not true that Senator Lorimer
paid $4,000 to Browne for his defense?'
continued Senator Reed.
"Yes, and / will explain that fully
later" replied Mr.. Dillingham;.
He paid 1t to clear a man guilty Of
| corrupting a legislature. remarked Mr..
Reed. That aroused Senator Dillingham;
| to a quick denial.
that there had been q conspiracy to switch
the use of the fund from legislative mat
ters to connection with the Lorimer case,
a conspiracy aGxinst Mr.. Lorimer: and
Mr.. Lorimer paid the money In self de-
| fense.
| II think I would do the same thing un-
der the circumstances" Senator Dilling-
ham concluded. IF found that a COM
bination of political enemies were at
| tempting to use the fact that money had
been paid for bribery against me-"
Having shown that all the money he
received was from another source, not
connected with the Lorimer election. and
that he had intended to vote for Lori
lmer.' Senator Dillingham; continued. 'it
Is interesting to see why Charles White
changed his mind and adopted this VIII
iainous course to rob William Ilorimer OF
his standing In this world. 1t was born
of avarice and greed
Senator Dillingham; cited the expendi-
lures of White after he had received the
Jackpot money to show the fast liv-
ing in which White INDUCED
"He was desperate financially. and his
mind. depressed from dissipation. was at
the bottom of the hell" Senator Diliing-
ham declared, when he concocted the
story
He reviewed the testimony showing
threats White made to compel ''Lorlmer
and hts crowd" to pay him money; and
| lcontinued on -Twelfth Page.)