Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-07-14
ELECTION IS HELD INVALID
PASSES FROM the SENATE Az
TER THREE YEARS
SERVICE.
WAS A PATHETIC FIGHT
senator Tillman Shed Tears a. lie
Cast Ills Vote In Favor of the
Illinois senator.

WASHINGTON, July l3.-Oyerturn-
ing the majority OF IT'S own committee
and reversing It's vote Of March !,
1911, the senate today took away from
William Lorimer his seat as junior
member from Illinois by vote Of 90
TO rs.
A member Of the senate since June
IS. 1909, Mr. LorimeT today was de-
clared 10 have been the recipient Of
votes secured by corrupt methods
and practices" and his election was
held 10 be invalid,
Technically, Mr., Lorimer viii pass
from the records Of the senate as
member of that body, Notwithstanding
his more than three years of occu-
pancy Of his seat
Facing his associates with the dec
laration, 81 am ready Mr.. Lormer
sat In the chamber and heard his fate
decreed as the roll call showed the
adoption of the resolution OF Senator
Luke Lea, OF Tennessee, the senate's
youngest member.
Walked Quietly Out,
The man who for three days had
held the senate to close attention with
YEARLY from his seat and passed back
to a cloak room door. Senators and
members OF the house gathered about
him, grasping his hand and pattlng
him on the back. Outside the senate
door, as Mr.. Lorimer stepped into the
corridor. friends greeted him again
and party OF Sisters of Charity push
ed forward to express regret. At his
office later when a physician had at
tended him he said he would not leave
Washington until the first of next
week.
The outcome Of the vote was not
surprise, but the leaders of the fight
against him had not estimated great
er than so to 80 vote. Lorlmer
gained only one OF the men who voted
against him March /, 1911, Senator
Jones of Washington while he lost
the votes OF his associate Senator Cul-
lum and of Senator's Curtis OF Kan
sas. Briggs of New Jersey. Simmons of
North Carolina and Watson OF West
Virginia.
Game 10 the Last.
Lorimer's fight for his own office
began in the senate chamber early
Thursday afternoon. When he con-
cluded his eloquent declaration that he
was not a coward and would not run
in the face Of a certain defeat" at
o'clock this afternoon, he had held
the floor for twelve hours with inter
missions and recessions to restore his
strength
The moving character of Lorimer's
appeal was admitted on every hand,
but it apparently swayed none His
pleading defense that had been expect
ed was ringing defiance to those
who had opposed him, a declaration
Of his unfaltering belief in the purity
Of his election in Illinois and a prom
Use that he would not give up the fight
with his eviction from the senate.
1T has been suggested that | re-
sign he said in his closing declara-
ton. "Who is so cowardly as to run
because defeat stares rim in the face
has no business in this body. Though
you all vote to turn me out though
every vote has been counted and is
against me, ! will not resign. My exit
from this body will not be from fear;
1t will not be because / am a coward.
1t will be because Of the senate of the
United States"
Only two incidents marked the time
taking OF the roll call which resulted
ed in his defeat. One was the charge
Of Senator Dixon, Col. Roosevelts
manager, that the affidavits Lorimer
had introduced to show attempted cor
ruption of delegates to the Chicago
convention were malicious and delib-
erato falsehoods."
Tlllman Voted No.
The other was the request Of Sem
ator Tillman, of South Carolina, fall
ing from the effects of paralysis, for
permission to have the clerk read q
statement from him. 1t was an af-
firmation of his belief in Lorimers
innocence and a pathetic statement of
his own ableness. Tillman wept as It
was read and other members of the
senate exhibited deep feeling.
Since | was stricken with paralysis
thirty months ago." said Tillmans
statement, II have thought often and
seriously about death and thereafter.
That / am here at all is In some re-
spects a miracle, and | know | must
go hence and meet the great judge
face to face very soon. l cannot do
otherwise than vote as my conscience
dictates and l believe this man Is In
nocent OF the charge brought against
him."
Expresses His Confidence.
Senator Tillman expressed the hope
that Mr.. Lorimer would consecrate
the remainder of his life to the purifl-
cation OF politics in Chicago and to the
uplift Of, his fellow citizens m Illinois.
II believe II he does bravely fight for
a purer and better government In IL
lnois," he said, God will strengthen
his arm and he will return TO the SEN
ate vindicated by the people of that
great state"
The senate as constituted when the