The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-07-11
LOR|MER SINGS
HIS SWAN SONG
1
Senator From illinois Speaks In His
Own Defense This Afternoon
In Effort to Retain
His Seat.
TRAVEsTY AND MoCKERY
= VIII Show That Not One Vote Was
corruptiy Cast For Me-" He said
IN Opening His Long
Speech.

/ Speech.
limited Press Leased Wire Service.
WASHINGTON, July IL with
packed galleries and an attentive aud.
ience on the floor, Senator William
Lorimer Of Illinois this afternoon
made personal defense OF his right
to sit in the senate
Lorimer was cool and collected.
and stood behind desk Uttered by
books, papers and notes. Maps and
diagrams formed exhibits, which he
had ready to use.
Lorimer's speech of defense came
earlier in the day than had been ex-
pected. Two or three other senators
were scheduled to discuss the case,
but the general desire to reach a vote
led to curtailment of the oratory.
4 Il will show that not one vote was
Icorruptly cast for me-" declared Lori
mer in opening his statement.
4 The senate was humbugged by my
enemies into q second investigation, .
he continued This Is no joke; 1t is
q serious matter. II the senate decides
to adopt the resolution Of the minority
of the investigating committee it will
be trayesty on all Jurisprudence and
q mockery on legal procedure. It will
4 mean that the senate has decided to
follow the red flag Of anarchy and
adopt the principle of that arch-advo-
cate Of recall for judges and judicial
decisions
A bitter excciiation Of Edward
4 Hines, the alleged ssenator-maker" in
the Lorimer case, as an egotist1 was
4 the dramatic contribution to the sen
ate debate on Lorimer's right to his
seat, furnished this afternoon by SEN
ator Reed Of Missouri. He scored
senators for sskimming over'' Hines
l connection with the case
i Mr.. Hines considers himself a
guardian ad libitum for the whole
United States senate" Reed asserted.
He claims TO control legislation in
both branches Of congress. He went
from Washington as the envoy extra
ordinary and minister plenipotentiary
4 of the president Of the United States
and Nelson w. Aldrich. imagine
the election of Mr.. Lorimer would
4 naturally follow conference between
Hines and Aldrich.
Il believe Mr.. Taft to be man OF
the highest yeracity and honor" the
senator added, despite the various
certificates of character given him by
4 Theodore Roosevelt"
II Reed declared that Lorimer must
have known that Lee O'Neill Browne,
the democratic leader in the Illinois
Legislature, was engaged in very PEE
4 culiar practices"
4 Browne was the confidential agent
of Mr.. Lorimer," the senator contin-
ued, "and his acts cannot be repudi-
4 ated. There was conspiracy and CO.
ordination before the act. There was
cooperation and good Fellowship after
the act Mr.. Lorimer testified under
oath that Browne had managed his
campaign. He contributed $4,000 to
! Brownies defense when Browne was
4 seized and threatened with punish
ment. He stood by his friend to the
Last and saved him. He stood with
4 the man who is an admitted bribe-
4 giyer and distributor Of corruption
1 funds.''
4 Reed waxed sarcastic In his refer
ences to those favoring Lorimer de-
picting themselves as heroes and
martyrs. and taking credit for great
courage"
Il don't like these homemade. self
manufactured halos, he declared.
liz Reed followed an attack on Lori
] mer by Senator Lea of Tennessee and
La defense by Senator Thornton OF
Louisiana. Senator Lorimer, In
4 trenched at his desk behind a pile of
books and papers, made frequent
notes during the speeches.
Senate leaders expected the debate
to close late this afternoon, permit
4 ting Lorimer to begin his defense be-
fore adjournment today. The blonde
boss" was ready to begin at any
time.
II Senator Lorimer followed immedi-
ately after Senator Reed, and his first
statement was a declaration of inno-
cence Of the charges of corruption in
4 his election He declared that if the
senate did not adopt the resajudicita
plea, 1t would be travesty on Justice.
IF there is to be the rule of the
! kContinued on page 50