Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-07-20
LORIMER LOSES
CASE IN SENATE
Charges Against Illinois Senator
Sustained. --Unseated by a
Large Majority.

Senator William Lorimer. Of Illinois,
was on Saturday last expelled from the
United States Senate because the Sem
ate declared that his election to that
body was fraudulently obtained.
55 Senators voted for expulsion and
2s voted for him to retain his seat.
Eight Democratic Senators voted in IA
vor of Lorimer as follows: Bailey, Texas;
Fletcher, Florida; Foster, Louisiana:
Johnston. Alabama; Paynter. Kentucky;
Smith. Maryland: Thornton. Louisiana;
Tillman, South Carolina.
Senator Tillman. of South Carolina,
who voted against Lorimer in the first
trial, was too weak to make a speech
in explanation of his vote last Saturday,
but he wrote what he had to say and
had it read by the Senate Clerk. He
said he was approaching his grave and
could not go before his Maker with the
stain of having voted against an inno-
cent man, according to the records in
the case.
Senator Smith. of Maryland said. in
explanation of his vote. to Baltimore
Sun reporter: ~ voted for Mr.. Lorimer
the first time his case came before the
Senate. did so again today. / have
no regrets and no apologies to offer for
either vote. don't know what the po-
litical consequences to myself are going
to be and do not much care, although
| have been plentifully warned by
friends and foes alike that they would
be very dreadful. am willing to abide
by the result of my action and take
what comes.
II voted the way believe was right,
according to my conscience, my judg-
ment and my construction Of the oath !
have taken as Senator. l have read
all the testimony in this case. have
heard all of the speeches on both sides.
/ have not yet heard any evidence or
seen produced any fact that would make
me believe Mr.. Lorimer personally guilty
of the charges against him, or that he
had personal knowledge of the bribery.
| do not believe any fair jury in any
court in the country would have con-
victed him on the evidence. A good
many of my colleagues in the Senate
who voted the other way, agree with
me about this.
81 was perfectly well aware, as was
everyone else. that the big majority Of
the Senate would be against Mr.. Lori
mer on this vote. knew perfectly well,
as did everyone else, that the verdict
would be overwhelmingly against him
and that public sentiment outside Of the
Senate was almost wholly against him.
did not, however, think this knowledge
a justification for me in voting against
my own conviction in this case. or in
changing my attitude when l had no
other reason for changing and was un-
convinced of Mr.. Lorimer's guilt.
II have no criticism to make of any
mans vote in the Senate on this case.
Every man has his own reasons for what
he does and do not attempt to judge
other men. For myself, however. feel
ing the way do. think it would have
been cowardly in me to have done other
than did. For the remainder Of my
life have got to live with myself. and
1t is very vital to me to have respect
for myself. That is why voted for
Mr.. Lorimer.
The Chicago Inter Ocean says editor
tally:
'sThe Senate of the United States,
by vote of So to 2s, has declared
vacant the seat of William Lorimer Of
Illinois. on the ground that Mr..
Lorimer's election had been procured
by bribery and corruption.
History win record this as the day
on which the Senate of the United
States became so degraded that
majority of its members knowingly
branded an innocent man as guilty OF
an infamous crime.
.'Of the IS Senators who declared, on
their oath and their honor, William
Lorimer guilty, a majority were know
ingly false to their oath.
Their votes in condemnation OF Will
liam Lorimer are the lie which their
craven fears of the mobs raised by
William Lorimer's enemies have moved
them to tell in public. to the disgrace
Of their country. to the corruption OF
its justice. to the oppression OF inno-
cence and to the damnation Of their own
l.