The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-07-12

SPEAKS OF PLOT
 OF HIS ENEMIES
 TO RUIN HIM 1 Asks Only Justice Nothing
 More From Col
 leagues
 Washington. July 12-Fighting with his back to the wall, Senator William Lorimer, today, resumed his desper> ate. attempt to sway by dramatic ap- peal of innocence the most difficult ofe audiences-the United States sen- ate-and obtain vindication at their hands of the charges of corruption in his election
 Even Loriner's enemies, today, paid tribute to the power of his oratory by making another canvass of the Sem ate to discover whether their estimate of majority of 10 to oust the junior Senator from Illinois had been chang <ed. They claimed it had. not and that, when 3 vote was taken, probably late this afternoon, Lorimers would be removed as the beneficiary of cor
 If LorimeF was aware of the odds against him. he gave no indication, today. His vigorous phrases of de- nunciation of his enemies and pie turesque pleas of innocence carried a powerful dramatic appeal Packed
  erss short. stout figure and hung ug,- Oh his words. It was the general 0pin- ion that Lorifner was making an even better fight this time than he did IS months ago when he faced the same charges of corruption in his election.
 Lorimer privately expressed the be- lief. just before he resumed his speech, that he would conclude his defense about noon and in view of this the general belief N'as expressed in the Rsnass iate fbis shaa a1tsr6oel ss w0p'a pe tafen
 The heat in the Senate chamber was intense but this did not deter the crowds Scores of the spectators brought their lunches. in preparation for an indefinite stay. Lorirmer, who is speaking against the advice of his physician, appeared worn and tired but his voice was fresh and strong.
 When he took the floor only about a dozen Senators were present but the leaders scurried around and corralled a quorum within a few minutes. All subtle devices Of the stage were brought into play by Lorimer in his impassiOned. dramatic utterances He took the center of the center aisle, a bulky figure in a; dark serge suit, closely buttoned. tan shoes and a clericaIly white tie and shirt
 Lorimer's blonde curls bobbed about as he shook his head and ges- ticuiated.
 Frequently his voice broke with ap- parent pathos or rasped as he shouted his diatribes upon his enemies. Of ten he turned and shook his fist at the auditors, including many repre- sentatiyes and government officials. 5t q was discussing the attitude of the custodian of all the m0ralS-in the country, public and priVateSS. said Lorimer in beginning his speech He referred to Roosevelt. .He would not accept any money from the malefac- tors of great wealth. I notice, how ever. that $1900,O00 was contributed to the campaign of 1904 Of course, that came from the common people of whom he is. the guardian. None of it came from the trusts or malefac- tors o1 great wealth.
 Resuming his criticism of President Taft Lorimer read further from Taft's letter to Colonel Roosevelt in which he said:
 II
 Was warned?', exclaimed Lorim- CT Was I given "a sword and shield and told to defend myself? No; they wanted to sneak up in the dead of night with a club and beat out their enemy's brains That is the way they. wanted to win.
 Was eyer any mortal being more completely surrounded by conspiEa tors and intrigue? The President of the United States the -PreSideHts Will liam Jennings Bryan, the trust press of the country-aH Joined in 8 con- spnacy to destroy one man and Satis- fy the malice of the most corrupt set of newspaper owners known to this country The men prosecuting this case are capable of eonspiring to do anything, even to taking a life, to des- troy the man marked for elimina- tion." Sssxsss4
 Discussion of the helm corfUbiftSel was then taken up by Lorimer. He said those composing it were .'crea- lures of Governor Deneen and the press trust.,'' Healy as counsel, he said, twas the most bitter enemy of *....'ssHe knew the political situation and was in a position to ferret out corruptien,'' he said.
 .ssI. believe the Senate violated fun damental law of this country by ap- another committee of inves- tigation but have no complaint to make of that action said Lorimer.
 The minority view of the investiga- tion was next taken up, Lorimer de- claring he would point out misstate- rnents of facts. evidently made for the of poisoning Senator's
 Addressing himself to Senator Craw- ford, (Rep., s. D.), it was explained by Lorimer that Governor Deneen evaded answering a telegram sent by Crawford. .I was taught at my mothers knee that to act a lie is more heinous than to tell one,'' the blonde Senator exclaimed
 Every seat in the visitors gallery was taken up and there was a long line waiting when the doors opened Policemen were stationed about to keep order.
 Lorimer read from a letter by John A. Beaman written in June. 1911, say- ing he had just visited Joseph s. Clark and asked him about the three affidavits read in the Senate by Owen, Rem., Okla.), declaring Clark voted for AI4orimer under promise that he should have the postoffice at van- dalia. Clark denied the charge. Bea- mans letter contained Clark's death bed reiteration of this denial. , After speaking an hour, Lorimer visibly weakened He was bathed in precipitation. His tawney hair was