The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-05
MAY POSTPONE VOTE |ON LOR|MER UNTIL |AFT TER CONVENTIONS Second Fight on Illinois Senator Begun by Sen atOr Kern OUTLOOK FOR HIM
 IS VERY GLOOMY Lorimer Is in His Seat and Pays Close Attention to Denunciation
 of Kern-Case Attracts
 Many Visitors

the election of Senator Lorlmer of IL Jinois invalid will not be taken until after the national conventions, If ne- gotiations now in progress between his supporters and opponents in the Senate prove successful.
 The suggestion for the postponement was made to Senators Lea and Kern today by Senator Dillingham;, chairman of the Lorimer committee. MT. Dilling- ham did not indicate purpose of press ing the suggestion, but he pointed out the necessity for a full attendance, which it would be difficult to obtain be- fore or during the great political meet ings.
 The opposing senators acknowledged the force of the point. but did not in dicate their decision. They are more concerned about vote before adjourn ment than about the exact date and probably will fall in with the major ity and agree to let the vote go over.
 Senator Kern expects to conclude his opposing speech tomorrow He will bs followed by Senator Dillingham; in sup | port of Lorimer and he in turn by Senator Lea in opposition. Senator Kern Speaks The second trial of Senator Lori mer of Illinois on the charge Of l having been elected by corrupt meth ods was begun in the Senate this afternoon with a speech by Senator Kern of Indiana, member of the investigat- ing committee who signed the minority report against Lorimer.
 Senator Kern gave especial attention to the plea that the case had been set tied by the Senates vindication last year. That plea. he said, had been raised only at the last moment. He said he would not admit it's validity, it coming too late, and the plea itself was res rejudicata. Re- minding the Senate that under the consti- ! tuition it is the judge of the qualifications of It's own members, MT. Kern contended. 1t was competent for that body to ,pro-. | ceed at any time in any matter involving the integrity of its membership. Lorimer Pays Close Attention Senator Kern refused to concede that the proceeding was analogous to civil action at law, but argued that if it were the granting of new trial, even on the sole ground of newly discovered evidence, opened up the case for complete rein vestigation. sa..4.4tsszs
 It is now too late for Senator Lorimer to be permitted to urge this remarkable defense, Senator Kern declared Senator Iorimer occupied a seat near MT. Kern. He gave careful attention to his arraignment
 There were many visitors in the galler les. Senator Kern praised the personal repuptation of Mir. Lorimer and said that but for his convictions regarding the gravity of the charges he would not be found in the disagreeable task of a pros ecutor.
 Senator Kern's speech today leading the attack on Senator Lorimer's election brings that case actively before the Sen ate where 1t is likely to be the principal topic of consideration for at least the next two weeks and possibly may pro long the session of Congress. Senators Lea and Kenyon, who with MT. Kern are the minority of the Lorimer Investigating committee holding that the Illinois senator's election was brought about by corruption, are ready to join in the fight against the majority report, which completely generates Mir. Lori nler.
 While the whole question of the validity of the election is the principal consider ation before the Senate an important fea- ture which promises to preciptate the first fight and the first test of strength is the contention that Lorimer's case in legal parlance is res judicata or has been once decided by the Senate and cannot be reopened.
 A majority of the committee which made the second investigation holds that Lorimer cannot be tried again on prac- tically the same charges on which the Senate. by vote of 46 to 40, acquitted him March l, 1911.
 The minority holds that this reasoning does not apply to Senator Lorimers case at all but the completion of the Senate has been altered considerably since Mir Iorimers vindication. This condition leads to much speculation. It has been reported that poll made by Mir. Lori mer's friends convinced them they could not expect more than 40 supporting votes.
 Advise Lorimer to Resign
 Many senators had declined to indicate their views now that Mir Lorimer was advised to resign. It was even said that Vice President Sherman recently carried that advice to Mir. Lorimer in Chicago. Neither has confirmed 1t, however. and Senator Lorimer this morning reiterated his refusal to talk about resigning He will defend himself with a speech if his health permits.
 In the two years that Senator Lorirner's election has been under cross fire 1t has furnished probably more sensations and sudden developments than any other case of it's kind.
 Mr Lorirner was elected by the Illinois legislature on May 27 1909, after pro- longed deadlock in which the names of more than 100 candidates. democrats and republicans had been presented unsuc- cessfuly. It was not until nearly year later that the validity of his election was challenged when the now famous confess sion of Charles A. White. a member of the Illinois legislature. was published, charging that he had received sl000 from Lee sO'Neal Browne. democratic leader of the Illinois house of representatives. in re- turn for his vote for Senator Lorimer. and nlso s9e0 as share of general corrup- tion fund.
 In rapid succession followed sensa- tionai series of confessions by other mem- hers of the legislature. These confessions, however, were later modified or repudiated with the exception of Whites own.
 The other men claimed they had re- ceived the money out of general fund and not in return for their Lor- { finer votes and in some cases charged Intimidation by Cook county (author- fties to wiring the confessions from them MT. Browne. who was charged with distributing Lorimer money. was
 
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