Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-11
All Speeches Except Sena-
tors in Own Defense Will
be Concluded Today; SEN
ators Explain Stand.
JOHNSON DRAMATIC
IN DEFENDING SELF
Member of Committee Says
Though on Unpopular
Side He Will Not Save
Self at Sacrifice Of Honor

Washington, D. c., July 10.-When
the senate took up the Lorimer case
today it was indicated that all
speeches except Senator Lorime-'s 8
would be concluded before night and
that vote would be reached tomor-
row.
Senator Johnston of Alabama opened
today's session. He conceded popu-
lar demand for Lorimer's unseating
and said he knew he would be on the
unpopular side in supporting the I'LL
nois man, but declared
II refuse to save myself at the sac
rifice of my honor"
Senator Johnston said the number
of printed copies of the Lorimer hear
ings taken from the senate document
room indicated that less than half the
senators had read the evidence in the
case. He condemned as "un-Christian
and un-American, Colonel Roosevelts
course in declining to sit with Senator
Lorimer at the Hamilton clubs dinner
at Chicago.
Senator Jones OF Washington, who
opposed LcrimeR at the first tsial but
who supports him now spoke after SEN
ator Johnston.
Senator Jones said that he had
changed his convictions because he
had personally heard the witnesses
against Lorimer. He complained OF
public clamor in the case and charged
it was having too much influence in
determining the votes of senators.
This statement aroused Senator
William Alden Smith of Michigan, who
confessed to irritation over what he
characterized as covert and insinuat-
ing intimations in the press in support
OF Mr.. Lorimer that those in opposf
ton lack honesty and courage and are
subject to influence by public clamor."
THAT intimation is false" said Sen
ator Smith.
Senator Jones denied any intention
OF criticising the attitude of other SEN
ators; but he asserted that there had
sentiment in opposition to Lorimer.
perjury on both sides of the case.
Funk Suit Brought In.
The two senator's discussed the evil
dence at some length and Mr.. Smith
finally referred to the recent lawsuit
brought in Chicago by John Henning
against Clarence Funk, general manag-
er of the International Harvester Co. in
which Henning charged Funk with
alienation Of his wifes affection. Hen
ming lost his case and his wife is said
to have confessed that the charge was
q conspiracy to injure 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 opin-
ion of any member Of the committee 2"
asked Mr.. Jones.
Yes, / do,' responded Mr. Smith
In the course Of the colloquy Senator
Smith declared 1t to be worth q mans
life to antagonize certain elements in
the senate" He said he had run against
the condition when first elected and had
felt it since. No details were given.
References to perjury brought out a
vigorous statement from Senator Jones.
"The case against Senator Lorimer is
based upon and buttressed with forg-
ery," he said.
Charges Liquor People Raised Fund.
Mr. Jones expressed the opinion that
the money distributed by Lee O'Neil
Brown had been contributed by whisky
interests"
'Is there any evidence to support the
theory?" asked Senator Reed.
"1t is based much on the same theory
that is pursued by Senator Lorimer's
opponents in connecting him with the
case" Mr. Jones replied. There is no
prositive evidence, but from the record
It Is the more probable theory as to
where the money came from
'tIsn't it Just as reasonable to suppose
that the corruption fund was used to
elect Lorimer as to influence legisla-
ton" Senator Pomerene asked.
II do not think So" replied Mr.. Jones'
''It was a legislative fund and there Is
nothing in, the record to indicate that
the money was used for any other pur-
pose.