New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-11
.LOR|NER CASE STILL
TAXES SENATE'S TINE
Final Vote Not Likely To Be
Reached Before Saturday at
Present Progress.
TWO SPEECHES IN DEFENCE
Messrs. Johnston and Jones
Contend Illinois Senator
Should Not be 0usted
by Colleagues.
IRON The Tribune Bureau :


Of Jolly 6. which still prevails in the Senate
because OF the long discussion of the Lori
mer case, bids fair to go down in the an
nails of Congress with the record for length
II will not 'end, according to the present
prospect until the calendar day of July
u or Is.
Only two speeches on the Lorimer case
were disposed of to-day-those of Senator
Johnston. of Alabama. which was com
paratively short, and of Senator Jones
which occupied more than five hours. Four
or five more speeches remain TO be delivered,
including Senator Lorinler's final word In
the debate Because Of the risk Of incur
ring the enmity of their colleagues, who
are impatient TO bring the controversy to
a close, some Of the prospective speakers
may decide not to take part in the
debate In this event a vote may be
reached by Friday, although 1t is doubtful
whether the case can be disposed of be-
fore Saturday.
Both Senator Johnston and Senator Jones,
members of the investigating committee,
spoke in defence Of Senator Lorimer. Sena-
tor Jones based his defence particularly
on the plea that the case had been once
had been brought to light to justify review
of the decision. This point was argued
by Senators Borah and Bailey, the former
holding that the Senate could reopen an
election case at any time, the latter con-
tending that the first decision must stand.
Says Evidence Is Ignored.
Senator Johnston declared the number Of
printed copies of the Lorimer hearings
taken from the Senate document room indi-
Gated that fewer than half the Senators
had read the evidence in the case. He con-
demned as "un-Christian and un-American"
Colonel Roosevets course in declining to
sit with Senator Lorimer at the Hamilton
Clubs dinner. in Chicago.
Senator Jones' who opposed Lorimer NJ
the first trial, said he had changed his con
victions because he had personally heard
the witnesses against Lorimer. He com
planned OF public clamor in the case and
charged II was having too much influence
in determining the votes of Senator'S
This statement aroused Senator william
Alden Smith. of Michigan, who confessed To
irritation over what he characterized as
covert and insinuatng intimations In tho
speeches in support of Mr.. Lorirner that
those IN opposition lack honesty and courage
and are subject to influence by public
clamor," adding THAT intimation is false
Senator Jones denied any intention Of
criticism Of the attitude Of Senators. but
he asserted there had been too much effort
TO control public sentiment in opposition
to Lorimer. lie admitted that there also
had been perjury on both sides Of the case.
Refers to Funk Case.
The two Senators discussed the evidence
at some length. and Mr.. Smith referred to
the recent lawsuit brought in Chicago IS
John Henning against Clarence Funk, gen
eral manager Of the International Harvester
Company. in which Hennins charged Funk
with alienation Of his wfe's affections.
Henning lost his case and his wife Is said
to have confessed that the charge was
conspiracy 10 iniure Funk for his testimony
against Senator Lorimer Senator Smith
said he thought the suit had been brought
to affect the Lorimer case.
DO you think It affected the opinion OF
anv member Of the committee" asked Mr.
Jones.
Yes. I do" responded Mr. Smith.
Senator Smith declared 1t TO be worth
a mans life TO antagonize certain elements
in the Senate" He said he had run against
that condition when FIRST elected and had
felt It since No details were given.
"The case against Senator Lorimer Is
based upon and buttrcssed with forgery
eaid Senator Jones.
Mr. Jones contrasted Senator Lorimer's
election with the aid OF Democrats with
that Of Senator Lea. OF Tennessee mem
Der Of the investigating committee. who
had the aid Of Republicans in his election.
He quoted from a recent speech by Senator
Myers Of Montana, in which the latter said
there must be something the matter with
the heads or the morals Of Democratic
members Of a Legislature who voted for
Republican for the Senate
Would the Senator make a similar
charge in the case Of the election Of Dem
ocratic Senator with the aid OF Republl-
cans?" Mr. Jones asked
Nj Myers admitted that he would in a
case in which the contest was closed.
Mr.. Gore Interrupts.
While Mr. Jones was undertaking to set
tie the question OF veracity between Mr..
Funk and Edward Hines in favor OF the
latter. Senator Gore interrupted.
Was the question OF veracity between the
two passed on by the Union League Club2"
he asked.
Il believe II was; but that has nothing TO
do with the case" Mr.. Jones answered
In whose favor was the decision Of the
club" persisted Mr.. Gore.
1T may have been in favor Of Mr..
Funk" responded the Washington Senator,
lust as the decision by many outside the
Senate seems to have decided in his case.
I repeat, however that the Union League
Clubs conclusions have nothing to do with
our proceedings
Mr.. Jones expressed the opinion that the
money distributed by Lee O'Neil Browne
had been contributed by whiskey interests
rs there any evidence TO support that
theory asked Senator Reed
ct Is based much on the same theory
that is pursued by Senator Lorimers oppo-
nents in connecting him with the case,
Mr. Jones replied. There is no positive
evidence, but from the record it is the most
probable theory as TO where the money
came from"
Isn't it Just as reasonable 10 suppose
that the corruption fund was used to elect
Lorimer as to influence legislation Sem
etor Pomerene asked
Il do not think So, replied Mr. Jones
TT was a legislative fund, and there is
nothing in the record TO indicate that the
money was for any other purpose"
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