The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-07-13

1He enQ OF the long nSnt TO OuSt
the senator came after six days of
Lorimer himself had occupied the
floor for three sessions, making an
empassioned defense of his election
The final vote was upon the reso-
luton offered by Luke Lea, senator
from Tennessee, declaring Lorimer's
election by tn eIllinois legislature in
1909 invalid. The closing moments
of the trial were intensely dramatic
Lorimer, holding the floor and making
his last defense of his election, de-
clared he did not appeal for the vote
OF any senator, but asked for justice.
Lorimer. when the vote was an
nounced, walked slowly toward the
back Of the room and passed into the
cloak room, Senator Smoot throwing
an arm over his shoulder. The vote
Dustin ghim was concluded at 2:05
O'Clock. The man who had occupied
seat in the senate since June, 1909,
by the vote today passes out Of the
records and they will show that he
never officially has held a, seat in the
senate of the United States.
For more than two years the fight
had been on to oust William Lorimer
resentative of the state of Illinois. A
constant newspaper agitation. investi-
cations by two senate committees and
committee Of the Illinois legislature,
millions of words of testimony and
scores of speeches have kept the case
of Lorimer before the public. Charges
and counter charges of bribery and
corruption, elimination and recrimin-
alton, indictments, trials and confess
the case. Today's vote in the senate
ended one of the most sensational
legislative imbroglios that the coun-
try has ever known.
1t began on April 80. 1910. about a
year after the election of Lorimer to
the senate, with the publication in
the Chicago Tribune of story by
Charles A. White. a member of the
Illinois legislature. exposing corrup-
ton in that body and charging that
White had been bribed to vote for
Lorimer for senator. Lorimer was
elected by combination of demo-
Gratis and republicans in the legislat-
ure. Shortly after the publication of
the White story the new senator
arose in the senate chamber and de-
manded an investigation Of his cleo
ton. senate investigation was or
dered and a committee headed by
Senator Burrows (republican. Michi-
gan) took up the task. For nearly
four months. September to December,
1910, the committee took testimony
at Chicago and Washington and fin
ally submitted a report exonerating
Lorimer. A minority report. how
ever. presented by Senator Beveridge
of Indiana. sustained the charges
against Lorimer. After lengthy de-
bate in the course Of which Lorimer
delivered a biographical speech de-
tending himself. the majority report
was adopted by the senate on March
!. 1911. by vote Of 46 to 40. five
not voting.
Meantime the case had startled H.
linois and the state was ablaze with
the developments. Indictment after
indictment was found against the
members of the legislature which
elected Lorimer. White had confessed
that he was given $1,000 by Repre-
sentative Lee O'Neil Browne, demo-
cratic leader Of the legislature and
5000 by Representative Robert o.
Wilson to vote for Lorimer. Browne
was indicted for bribery. At his first
trial the jury disagreed and at the
second trial he was acquitted. Charges
Of jury bribing in connection with his
acquittal were made but jury
greed. Representative Wilson and
Michael 8. Link were indicted for
perjury.
The Illinois legislature took up the
scandal and the Helm investigating
committee was appointed. after the
United States senate had exonerated
Lorimer. While this commission was
in session. Clarence 8. Funk. general
manager of the International Harves-
te rcompany testified that he had
been asked by Edward Hines. the