The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-13
VOTES WERE WON
By fRIE N Us HIP
Kindly Acts, Not Cash,
Put Lorimer in
Senate.
TELLS STORY ON
WITNESS STAND
Accused Member From Illinois
Relates How Political Alliances
Had Inception in Boys
Frolics on Chicago Streets.
Makes Dramatic Denial
of Corruption.

Washington. January 12.-senator
Lorimer. of Illinois. continuing his
| testimony to-day before the Senate
investigating committee, undertook to
explain the Individual motives which
caused los members OF the Illinoi.
Legislature to cast their ballots for
him. The aggregate OF his recital was
a long story of boyhood friendships
grown to powerful influence in party
councils and political alliances which
had their inception with the trolicking
OF children at play in the streets OF
Chicago.
I've known that man all my life.
probably since was ten years old; and
he had gone through some hard knocks
himself and felt as II lie wanted TO
help some one else who had been
through II too was one Of the an
swers he frequently gave.
Some OF his explanations werc home
ly stories OF his political life thirty
years ago. before he became national
figure.
"IIow did Nanny Abrahams come
10 vote for you?" was asked
Abrahama is 4 Democrat. and was
called the bcllwcthcr because he led
the voting on the roll call.
Won His F-rIendshtp.
Why, many years ago he was just
beginning to be 4 leader among his
people in Chicago" responded tho
as immigrants, tried to make Il living
peddling on the streets. The license
fee was S5-n lot of money for Il poor
man In strange country-and he
used to come to my house at night and
ask mo to help them. So l used to get
permits for them to peddle until they
made money enough TO get out IL
| censes. That was the start of our
| friendship" II
How did Jandus come to vote for
your"
Jandus was another Democrat.
Il had done him many little favors
l remember having got a Job or so for
Il poor friend of his. I suppose in my
political life l have got Jobs for 5000
or 5000 men. but don't remember all
these HUI things"
What about Broderick?'
Why John-I've known John fifteen
years. and all his friends are friends
Of my friends. He's heen very kind
to me. Whenever ] had contest he
would go and see some of his people,
He was always friendly to me-"
What about Holstlaw?"
He was alleged to have made a con-
fession that he received money to
vote for Lorimer.
The first I remember OF him was
before my election. He came and asked
me II l would me opposed to a post
master who was saloon-keeper
told him didn't think u mans busi-
ness made any difference IL he had a
good character and would make
good postmaster. He went away. say
my you have the reputation of stand
ing BY your friends. and I'm going TO
vote for you"
Explaining the votes of others, often
he would say: lie lived in my neigh
borhood, and sometimes may have
done an unimportant favor for him."
or we worked together in politics for
thirty years. and our personal friend
ship was stronger than party ties"
The votes of other men Senator
I.orimer explained by saying they were
unalterably opposed to Hopkins; were
anxious TO break the deadlock and
get home; had received favorable
recommendation of Lorimer from CON
stituents. or they were anxious to
give to him some substantial reward
for his work In behalf of the proposed
Lakes to tn Gulf" waterway.
His Denial Dramatic.
The Senator made a dramatic denial
Of any knowledge OF corruption in
connection with his election, and in
an equally dramatic way charged that
Governor Dencen aid the Chicago TIL
Dune were fof"d ding IL CONS piracy to
drive him from the Senate.
Il am as sure of that as am that
am here--that they bought the evil
dencc which they used against Leo
oNeii Browne in the bribery trials.
and that II was only incidentally pros
ecutinG Browne to form the basis Of
case to try and put me out of tho SEN
ate. know that neither Browne nor
any one else ever paid anybody n dol
lar t. vote for me, and I have never
had doubt that Charles 4. White was
bought and paid for when no deliv-
cred that statement to tho Tribune"
DO you think Governor Deneen Is
still In the conspiracy against vou?"
II certainly do replied I.orlmer
you say these things. having in
mind the confessions OF Holgtlaw.
Breckemeyer and L!nk?"
Yes. The whole machinery of the
States attorneys office was used
against me to get these alleged con
LESSONS. Link and Holstlaw were In.
dicted for offenses which were not in.
dictable at all. They were told they
would be sent to tho penitentlary and
away from their wives and children,
and after they signed statements which
attorneys In the employ of my enemies
prepared, the indictments against them
were quashed.'
The hearing was adjourned until
Monday.