Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-07-09
FLETCHER SCORES COLONEL
Roosevelt Arraigned in the Lorimer
Election Case.
FOLLOWS DIILINGHAM's SPEECH
the Florida Senator as the
Headquarters Of Nor
ality.

WASHINGTON. July s.-An attack upon
Theodore Roosevelt for condemning Sena-
tor Lorimer of Illinois, featured the de-
tense in the Lorimer election case In the
senate today. Senator Fletcher of
Florida, following up the conclusion Of
Senator Dillingham's speech for Lori
mer arraigned Roosevelt.
Theodore Roosevelt could enjoy a
luncheon with Booker Washington at the
White House, declared Mr.. Fletcher.
but could not afford to dine in the same
room with Mr.. Lorimer. member of the
club of which he was guest"
The Florida senator referred to the
former president as the headquarters
of morality" who condemned Lorimer on
the false allegation repeated to him by
Editor H. H. Kohlsaat that 100000 had
been raised and used to elect Lorimer.
Senator Fletcher said that Colonel
Roosevelt does not know the facts.
THE damning Of respectable citizen,
the head of a beautiful family, the repre-
sentative of a state in high office" said
Senator Fletcher. WAS waicome thing
il It gave opportunity to attitudinize as
the standard Of honor and Righteousness
and the acme of civic virtue
Had Faith In Funk.
Senator Fletcher said that Editor Kohl
saat placed explicit faith in what Clarence
H. Funk told him about Edward Hines
asking for contribution to 100000
Lorimer fund. He contended that Mr..
Funk's memory was unreliable and that
Mr.. Funk had given seven different dates
as the time at which his conversation
with Mr.. Hines regarding the ''slush
fund.- had occurred. He said the Funk
story had been known to Keeley Of the
Tribune. Kohlsaat of the Record-Herald
and Lawson of the News during the first
Lorimer congressional investigation.
That fact. shows" he declared" how
little Importance was then attached to
matter which afterward became the en-
tire basis Of the second inquiry.
Senator Fletcher characterized the
anti-Lorimer speakers as the honey
thunder press which had poisoned the
public mind to drive Lorimer out Of
politics in Illinois," He expressed the
opinion that Senator Lorimer would not
stoop to the purchase of votes or the de-
bauehing of legislature and that the
Illinois senator would surrender his office
if he felt his election had been the result
of fraudd.
Reed Wants to Know.
Senator Reed of Missouri asked If 1t
were not true that Senator Lorimer had
loaned $4,000 to Lee O'Neil Browne for
his defense of the legal proceedings
against him growing out Of the legisla-
tive charges.
Yes almost snapped the generally
complacant senator from Vermont in re-
ply ,9asand AZ 1 had been in his place II
should have done the same thing. II
had beer, convinced that there had been
a conspiracy to switch charges from their
original purpose would have contributed
to prevent the success Of such purpose,
/ should have done all in my power to
smash such a combination"
Senator Borah expects to speak at some
length, taking the other side of the argu-
ment Senator Lea of Tennessee, another
of Mr.. Lorimer's opponents, is yet to
speak It is expected the vote may not
be taken before Wednesday or Thursday.
Some of Mr.. Lorimer's friends in the SEN
ate believe the vote will be against him.