Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-07-02
SENATOR KERN's GREAT SPEECH
AGAINST -LoRINIER.

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AGAINST LoRIMER.
/ have just finished reading It II is
the plsinest talk ever listened to in
the United states senate. and I am
throwing up my old bonnet for Senator
Kern. Il required a brave man to stand
in the senate chamber and face to face
with aIr Lorimer and discuss the sale
or q seat in the United States senate
for money 1t goes without saying that
such seats have been sold before-but
the proof was never so positive-so
plainly exposed as when Mr.. Lorimer's
seat was tranicked and purchased. l
fear the danger lies in having other
seSators to judge the case whose IL
tie rests on a similar traffic and pur-
chase for money. This Lorimer case
Ills eight great volumes, There are
more than 5000 pages OF printed tes-
timony. and Mr. Lorimer u cannot
call him senatorl admits he gave
$4,000 70 a Democratic worker with
out drawing a check or taking even a
note for the money
His sense OF public integrity was indeed
dull and inactive. and he does not appear
70 be in the least c0wed by the exposure.
His agents were thoroughly ventilated
and exposed by Senator Kern. and il
would seem impossible that any sort Of
defense could be made for the offense
committed BY Senator Lorimer against
his country. When a man sells his vote
or buys an election 10 public office ne
has been a traitor to his constituents
and has debased his own manhood
FOR the senators who have protected
Mr. Lorimer in the senate ! do not hest
tate TO say they are no better than he
IS and that is saying a good deal for
their conduct. Some Democrats ranged
themselves on Lorimer's side who have
been elected from southern states. and II
goes without saving that they have dis
graced their high position and made 1t
Gear that they do not and have never
represented their constituents.
There was a time in congress when
the. .money OF the Pacific RAILROADS
bodeht men and bought votes in 1.-The
UnFUed St1fes senate. but whenever, they
have been exposed the black faint Of cor
ruption has been fastened on both name
and memory. and for decades TO come il
VII only be necessary TO say that "a
man voted for LorimeE' to brand the
transaction as the plain exhibit OF cor
ruptIOn in politics What a pity II IS
that such men are so blinded ey greed
for money that they must affix the
brand Of shame upon themselves and
their descendants
QUESTION YOUR CANDIDATES.
EVERYBODY understands that there Is
rgiIful careIcssness abuL. ap0r2priaung
tax money. by the Georgia legislature
More money is called for all the time
.as a n suit from such willful careless
ness on che part OF those who also call
themselves our public servants Al
though the governor always has drawn
unon his borrowing power, the story
reaches US that he will be obliged TO
have more money If he borrows upto
the limit New offices are created and
salaries are increased until the money
ches- - empty. TheFe things o'cur o.
cause a few Interested people get IN, OF
nominate the candidates who viii do
their bidding, and elect them to carry
ont their wishes in regard to extrava-
giant appropriations; and when they ar
rive in Atlanta they are ripe and ready
70 do what they were elected to do.
That a change in methods is needed
Is rnanifestly plain to all on-lookers-
These candidates should be called on
20 say what they are going TO do, II
ets~.t..ir They should DC IA sSt'f n ID
in public and what they promise to do.
should be set down in black and white
will agree with you when You tell
me that such men have been known to
20 back on their word. but they viii he
Justly condemned after so doing, and
such questioning as here mention will
10 a good deal toward stifening their
backbone when voting time comes on
II Il well understood that big inter
ests' are always IN evidence in nomi-
mating national candidates II Is
charged Cand not denied) that Mr.. Root,
a corporation lawyer. was made temper
AIRY chairman at Chicago to please the
hig interests who pay him big fees.
And II is charged today f26th) that
Judge Parker is doing in Baltimore just
exactly what Mr.. Root was doing in
Chicago.
But away down here in Georgia no
man who comes out Tor the legislature
should escape questioning. You have
p right 70 know what he proposes to
do. II he goes 10 Atlanta as a member
Of the legislature. II he lodges your
question then you had better hunt a
more candid candidate
There must be a halt somewhere or
you may set 10 down that your tax