Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-06-05
LOrimer Ready
To Make Fight

Washington, June 1.-The vote of
the Senate on the resolution declar-
ing the election of Senator Lorimer
of Illinois invalid, will not be taken
until after the National conventions
if negotiations now in progress be-
tween his supporters and opponents in
the Senate prove successful
The suggestion for the postpone
ment was made to Senators Lea and
Kern, today, by Senator Dillingham;.
chairman of the Lorimer committee.
MIR. Dillingham; did not Indicate
purpose of pressing the suggestion
but he pointed out the necessity for
full attendance, Which it would be
difficult to obtain before or during the
great political meetings.
The opposing senators acknowledged
the force of the point but did not
Indicate their decision. They are more
concerned about vote before add
journment than about the exact date
and probably will fall in with the ma
jority and agree 10 let the vote go
over. Senator Kern expects TO con-
clude his opening speech. tomorrow.
He win be followed by Dillingham; in
support of Lorimer and he in turn by
Lea in opposition.
Washington, June with SEN
ator Lorimer holding conferences with
his friends and organizing his defence,
and Senator Kern of Indiana ready
To open the fight against him with
speech in the Senate late today, at
tention has focused upon the noted
election case. which is likely to be the
principal topic of consideration in the
Senate for at least the next two
weeks and possibly may proIong the
session of Congress.
Senators Lea and Kenyon who with
Mr.. Kern, are the minority of the
Lorimer investigating committee.
holding that the senator's election was
brought about by corruption, are
ready to join in the fight against the
majority report, which completely ex-
onerates Mr.. Lorimer.
While the whole question of the
validity of the election is the principal
consideration before the Senate, an
important feature which promises 10
precipitate the first test of strength
is the contention that Lorimers ease,
in legal parlance, Is res 1udicata."
or has been once decided by the Sen
ate and cannot be reopened. A ma
jority Of the committee which made
the second investigation holds thar
Lorimer cannot be tried again on
practically the same charges on which
the Senate by vote of 46 to 40 ac-
quilted him March l. 1911.
But the complexion of the Senate
has been altered considerable sine,
Mr. Lorimer's vindieatian and this
condition leads to much speculation.
II has been reported that q poll made
by Mr.. Lorimer's friends Convinced
them they could not expect more than
40 supporting votes and so many SEN
ators had declined to indicate their
views that Mr.. Lorimer was advised
TO resign 1t was even said that Vice
President Sherman recently carried
that advice to Mr.. I1orimer in Chi
cage. Neither however. has confirm
ed II and Senator Lorimer. today, re-
nerated his refusal to talk about re-
signing. He win be in his seat dur
ing the attack and defend himself
with a speech, If his health permits
In the two years that Senator Lor-
liners election has been under fire
- i''S i"i HiSi'Sd IfHhahly more Sensa-
TONS than any other case of it's kind
Mr. Lorimer was elected by the Tlli-
nois Legislature on May or. 1909, aft
er a prolonged deadlock. 1t was not
until nearly year later that the va
hdity Of his election was challenged.
when the confession of Charles A.
White. member of the Illinois Leg
islatnre, was published. charging that
lac had received $1,000 from Lee oNeill
Browne. Democratic leader of the H.
linols House of Representatives, in
return for his vote for Senator Lori
mer. and also 5000 as share of
general corruption fund.- Then fol-