Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-10

Makes Spirited Speech in Behalf Of
Accused Lawmaker.
PERJURY Is ONE CHARGE
Jones Admits That Falsehood- Has
Been Told by Both Sides
in the Case.

| be concluded before night and that a
| vote would be reached tomorrow.
| Senator Johnston of Alabama, demo
crat. who supported Mr. Lorimer at the
first trial, opened today's session with a
| spirited speech in his behalf. He con-
i ceded a popular demand for Lorimer $
/ unseating and said he knew he would
be on the unpopular side. but declared:
Il refuse to save myself at the sacri-
| flee of my honor
| Senator Johnston declared that the
number of printed copies of the Lorimer
| hearings taken from the Senate docu-
ment room indicated that less than half
| the senator's had read the evidence in the
case. He condemned as Christian
and un-American" Col. Roosevelt's course
| in declining to sit with Senator Lorimer
| at the Hamilton Clubs dinner at Chi
cago.
Jones for Lorimer.
Senator Jones of Washington, who op-
| posed Lorimer at the first trial, but who
supports him now, spoke after Senator
| Johnston. Senator Lea. in opposition to
Lorimer. was expected to speak next.
Mr. Lorimer indicated that he would not
begin his speech at the close of the ses-
sion. but would ask for a recess until
tomorrow if today's debate were pro-
tracted.
Senator Johnston depicted in strong
| terms of admiration the personal and
domestic character Of Mr.. Lorimer He
declared that he had won the esteem of
all who knew him we'll as a private citi-
zen and a member of the House OF Rep
resentatives.
Mr.. Lorimer had been attacked princi-
pally, said Senator Johnston. because he
had received the support of democratic
members Of the Illinois legislature.
"If We are to make that a test our
friend Senator Page OF Vermont would
be ineligible to a seat here" he said.
Senator Johnston contended that the case
was res adjudicata.
IF a senator may be tried over and
over and over again any one under ac-
cusation would retain his seat here sub
ject only to the whim Of the majority -
he said.
Has Not Been Influenced.
Mr.. Johnston declared that he had not
been influenced to his course by any
predictions in favor of Mr.. Lorimer.
IF convinced that single fraudulent
vote had been cast for Mr.. Lorimer, 1
should oppose his retention of his seat"
he said. He is republican and I am
democrat ana / WOulu not 20 Out Oh tHe
way to hold him in his seat II not con-
vinced that he was entitled to retain it."
Senator Jones began his address short
ly after II o'clock. He announced that he
would not speak at length: that he would
not have occupied any Of the Senates
time. but for the fact that he had
changed his attitude since the case was
first passed on.
The change in his convictions, and
Senator Jones. had been due to the op-
rf,r INIT ho hod n nf cfo TO hA
witnesses against Lorimer. He COM
planned of the public clamor in the Lori
mer case and charged that 1t was having
too much influence in determining the
votes of the senators.
Smith Is Aroused.
This statement aroused Senator VIII
liam Alden Smith of Michigan. With evi-
dent feeling he confessed to irritation"
over what he characterized as covert
and insinuating intimations in the
speeches in support Of Mr.. Lorimer that
those in opposition lack honesty and
courage and are subject to influence by
public clamor."
This intimation is false" said Sen
ator Smith, and / resent it both for
myself and for my colleague. Senator
Townsend. who like myself has reached
the conclusion that the Illinois election
was tainted with fraud and corruption"
Senator Jones retorted that those VINO
are supporting Mr.. Lorimer's right to
seat here are just much the foes of
corruption and bribery as are those VINO
any intention Of criticising the attitude
of other senator's, but he asserted that
there had been too much effort to control
public sentiment in opposition to Lori
mer.
Referring to a charge made by Mr..
Smith that there had been perjury in the
case, Senator Jones exclaimed: Perjury.
Yes, there has been perjury, perjury, per-
jury. but 1t has been on the part Of those
who attack the seat OF the senator from
| Illinois"
He admitted that there also had been
perjury on the other side.
Hurls Charges at Link.
| Mr.. Smith charged that Link, the Illi-
| nois legislator, had been shown to be
guilty OF perjury, but Mr.. Jones contended
| that the money laid to Link had been
| paid from the jackpot fund in the interest
of legislation.
Through whom did he get his money ?
| Did he not get it from Lee O'Neil Brown,
Lorimer's friend?' asked Mr.. Smith.
Possibly, admitted Mr.. Jones.
Mr.. Smith charged that the scurrying
| among the jackpot crowd had been coinci-
dent with the investigation into the Lori
| mer election.
! why did they do it?' he asked.
Held Convenient Whip.
/ Mr.. Jones contended that such a course
was natural in view OF the general guilt
OF the men and their fear of exposure.
But Mr.. Smith would not agree to this.
] He charged that it was 1.-The most con-
venient whip that Brown had had in fore
| ing the election of senator" Mr. Smith
expressed the opinion that the case OF
Mrs. Henning against Mr. Funk had been
instituted to affect the case. He thought
| 1t had been intended to influence a wit
ness.
| do you think it affected the opinion of
any member Of the committee?'' asked
Mr.. Jones.
| Yes, / do" responded Mr. Smith,
| Then" said the Washington senator
| ..the senator from Michigan has q lower