The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-11
The Senator Turns on His Ac-
cusers in a Speech.
Makes a Spirited Attack OF
Chicago Newspapers.
HE SINGLES OUT LAWSON
Charges Him With Securing
Illegal Reductions of Taxes
And COnspiring With Assess
Ors to Commit Fraud.

Washington, July 11.-Senator Lori
nler today began his speech defending
his right to his seat. He followed Sen
ator Reed of Missouri, who had made
q bitter attack upon him and his cleo
tion by the Illinois legislature.
The senate chamber filled up slowly
under the call for a quorum but only
Sc senators answered to their names
The senate galleries were not half filled.
AS Senator Lorimer began his speech
he read from manuscript and his voice
was for the first few sentences some
what indistinct He declared he pro-
posed to give the senate an insight into
the character of the men who he said,
had tried to ruin him.
TT is true that the senate has the
right to deny me a seat in this body,
he began, ION the fiimsiest pretex or on
10 pretext at all. 1 intend to show that
nc vote cast for me was Influenced by
fraud.
Mr.. President" he said, in measured
tones, this is no joke. This is a solemn
ard serious question. If the senate de-
C.:Ges to follow the views of minority OF
this investigating committee 1T VIII De
g travesty on civilized Jurisprudence,
lrockery on Justice. 1t will be a decla-
ration that the senate has decided to
fellow the red flag; that it has become
the advocate of anarchy; has adopted
the doctrine of the recall as advocated
Ey it's champion
Senator Lorimer departed from his
manuscript for a moment to refer to
the Chicago newspapers. He declared
certain of the newspaper owners ana
publishers there would be in prison il
the public prosecutors had been active
illustrates His Speech.
The senate gave the Illinois senator
close attention. He spoke slowly and
with great emphasis. Finally he dis
carded his manuscript and took up
place in the center aisle from which
he could be heard from both sides of
the chamber. On the back walls of
the chamber were two diagrams of
Chicago streets. One showed the loca
tion of the Chicago Tribune building
with the valuation of other property
at Dearborn and Madison streets; the
other showed property on Madison, be-
tween La Sale and Fifth avenue, COM
pairing the assessed valuation of the
Chicago Daily News property and that
adjoining.
From these diagrams Senator Lori
ner made his attack on the Chicago
newspapers which had opposed him.
Senator Lorinler charged that while the
Tribune property was worth from ST.
900 900 to $10,000,00 it paid taxes only
on S420,O0O. He called these newspa-
pers Robbers of the public treasury
of Chicago" He attacked Victor Law
News occupied school land at a rental
of 81 per square foot and paid nc
taxes while less valuable land across
the street rented for $3.50 per foot.
Charges Conspiracy.
Mr.. Lorimer charged that Mr.. Law
son had secured unlawful reductions
in taxes upon his home and business
property and added that Mr.. Lawson
was trying to drive him out of public
life.
IF States Attorney Wayman would
treat Victor Lawson as he would treat
William Lorimer if he were the trans
Rressor," he declared, ''Victor Lawson
and the chief clerk in the assessors
office would be in the penitentiary to-
day for conspiracy to commit fraud
Senator Lorimer launched into
spirited attack upon Governor Deneen
and his fees in office as states attor-
ney. Mr.. Lorimer declared that err
roneous statements had been sent out
to the world by the newspa per agen-
cies. He referred to what he termed
the control of news sources by Victor
Lawson, Melville E. Stone and Frank
B. Noyes who formerly ran the Rec
ord-HeraId for Mr. Lawson
May Vote Tomorrow Morning.
The senate took a recess at $3.50
d. m until 10 o'clock tomorrow morn
ing. when Lorimer will conclude his
speech and a vote probably will be
taken The end of todays session was
brought about by the senator's weak
ened condition.