The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-18

White had been bribed TO vote
Lorimer for senator.
Lorimer was elected by combina'
ton OF Democrats and Republicans in
the legislature. Shortly after the pub.
lication OF the White story, the new
senator arose IN the senate chamber
and demanded an investigation OF his
election. A senate committee headed
by Senator Burrows Republican,
Michigan took up the task For near
ly four months. September to Deem
Der. 1910. the committee took testi.
mony at Chicago and Washington, and
finally submitted a report generating
Lorimer. 4 minority report, however,
presented by Senator Beyeridge Of
Indiana, sustained the charges against
Lorimer.
indicated at First Inquiry.
After a lengthy debate, In the course
of which Lorimer delivered a sensa-
tionally brilliant speech defending
himself. the majority report was
adopted by the senate on March l.,
1911, by vote OF As to 40, five not
voting.
Meanwhile the case had startled
Illinois and the state was ablaze with
the developments. Indictment after
indictment was found against the
members OF the legislature which
elected Lorimer. White had con.
fessed" that he waB given $1,000 by
Representative Lee O'Neil Browne,
Democratic leader OF the legislature,
and 5000 by Representative Robert o.
Wilson to vote for I.orimer. Browne
was indicted for bribery. At his first
trial the jury disagreed ind at the sec.
ond trial he was acquitted. Charges
Of jury bribing in connection with this
acquittal were made, but jury which
tried the jury bribery case disagreed.
Representatives Wilson and Michael
s. Link were indicted for perjury.
The Illinois legislature took up the
scandal and the Helm" investigating
committee was appointed, after the
United States senate had exonerated
Lorimer. While this commission was
in session, Clarence S. Funk, general
manager of the International Harves.
been asked by Edward Hines, the
wealthy lumberman, who had been
closely interested in the Lorimer case
in the senate. to give $4,000 OF a
100000 fund to help put Lorimer
over at Springfield" This created
another sensation and resulted In re.
opening of the case In the senate. A
special committee of eight began re.
investigation Of the case. Once more
the sordd stories OF alleged bribery
and corruption were dragged out. and
once more the numerous confessions
made their appearance Nearly lG0
witnesses were examined.
Conducts Own Defense.
Meantime Lorlmer. the calm.faced
object of the bitter attacks, took his
place daily In the senate chamber and
conducted his own defense against the
charges that his place had been
bought
The second committee. headed by
Senator Dillingham; of Vermont.
brought In n majority report again ex.
onerating Lorimer and minority re-
port condemning him. Again the de-
bate began. and Tor months the mat
ter was under discussion.
Throughout the second investiga.
ton Senator Lorimer's health failed
rapidly. At one time he was kept
at his home in Chicago for weeks by
his failing heart. and Ills physician
fatty refused TO allow him to return
to Washington. For this reason the
consideration of the second report in
the senate was delayed from week to
week to allow him time to appear in
his own defense. He has been con.
stantly in his place in the senate,
however. since the time for vote was
fixed.