Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-20
Election of Lorimsr Not
Due to Corrupt Use
of Money.
SENATE REPORT SAYS
Majority of Committee Declares
One Investigation Was
Enough.

Washington, May 2O.-Why Sena-
tor Lorimer should be permitted to
retain his seat in the senate was set
forth today by the majority of the
senate special Lorimer committee in
its report 70 the senate. II was sub
mitted by Chairman Dallingham and
had the approval of Senators Gamble
and Jones, republicans, and Fletcher
and Johnston OF Alabama, demo-
CIats.
ONCE HELD ENOUGH.
The majority took the position that
the senate having once "solemnly and
deliberately" passed upon the charges
against Senator LOrimer, he should
be permitted to retain his seat unless
new and convincing evidence had
been produced establishing corrup-
tion in his election. Absolutely no .
new and substantial evidence" had
been produced at the reinyestigatiOn.
the majority said. and consequently
they declared the rules of justice re-
quired the former judgment of the
senate. upholding Mr.. Lorimer to
stand.
REVIEW LENGTHY.
The report dealt at length with
the evidence in an endeavor to show
nothing substantial had been pro-
duced against Senator Lorimer. II
also reviewed the legal authorities
20 show that the first investigation of
the senate should he taken as final.
The controlling factor in the action
OF the senate in reopening the case.
SO the majority said, was reports Of
fund Of 100000 which was either
raised by or through the efforts Of Ed.
ward Hines. the Chicago lumber man,
10 secure the election OF Senator Lori
mCr.
EUNk'S STORY DISCREDITED.
The majority rejected the version
Clarence s. Funk, general mana
ger OF the International Harvester
company, gave of a conversation he
held with Mr.. Hines in the Union
League club at Chicago just after
Senator Lorimers election. 1t was
during this conversation that Funk
claims Hines asked for $4,000 con-
tribution TO 100000 Lorimer fund.
The majority said that Mr.. Funks
testimony stood uncorroborated
either by other witnesses or by any
circumstances.
Comment was passed on the fact
that for many months II. II. KOhlsaat,
editor of the Chicago ReCord-Herald,
James Keeley. editor of the Chicago
Tribune. Victor +. Lawson, owner Of
the Chicago News, and Colonel Theo-
Gore Roosevelt knew of Mr.. Funk S
version and none saw mt to bring
the information to the attention of
any person connected with any inves-
tigation.
RESULT OF CONDITION.
Taken altogether, the committee
said, the testimony indicated to it
that Mr.. Lurimer's election was the
result OF political conditions and not
attributable 10 the corrupt use OF
money. II dwelt upon the statement
that not a single witness had reflect
ed upon Senator Lorimer personally
and that no testimony existed as to
single indiscreet remark or improp-
er action on his part.
AE 10 Etutldl corruption lunQS IN
the Illinois legislature, it was said,
that without definite proof of the
existence OF a specific jack pot, the
committee can only report that gen.
eral belief exists among many
classes that corruption funds have
been more or less common in connec-
tion with legislation in that state"
TEN VOTES 1nRRI-pTID
The minority reported that evidence
presented at the second investigation
was broader and more far-reaching
than at the previous inquiry and con
Clusively established at least 10 votes
for Lorimer were corrupt and his elec
ton therefore invalid. The minority
report was signed by Ken and Lea
democats. and Kenyon. republican.
HINES ARRAIGNED.
The minority. in its conclusions, ar.
raigned the course of Edwsrd Hine:
during the grand jury investigation!
and during the committee investiga
tion and declared j. their belief ht
was an accessory to the corruption
which resulted in the election oi
Lorimer 10 the senate.
We believe the testimony of Clar
ence Funk and W. N. Burgess TO b.
true" they stated.
Attacking the majority's conten
tion as TO the doctrine Of res adju
dicata, the minority declared ther,
was no senate precedent holding tha
a contested election case might no
be reopened.
In this case" they said. there