Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-07-21
AD[RKO1I, FACING
C[NSUR[, RESIGNS
CONGRESSMAN IMPLICATED IN
LOBBY SCANDAL QUITS
UNDER FIRE.
WILL SEEK REELECTION
FROM FOURTH ILLINOIS
Replies to His Critics in Presenting
Resignation to House-Was One Of
Leading Figures in Exposures Of
Colonel MuIhall, Who Charged Con-
sressman Had Received eribes.

Washington, July 21.-Representa-
tive James 4. McDermotr, of Illinois,
today, on the floor of the house. offered
his resignation to take effect immedi-
ately. McDermott is under charges in
connection with the lobby investiga
ton.
McDermott, democrat, representing
constituency which ircludes the
stock yards district Of Chicago, was
one of the figures in the exposures oe
Martin Mulhall, star witness in the
lobby investigation. A majority report
of the investigating committee. now
ready to come before the house, recon-
mends that he be censured with Off
GERS of the National Association OF
Manufacturers. A minority report rec
ommends that he be expelled.
Carries Case to Constituency.
His resignation came as e sensation
today when, Immediately after the
house had assembled, he rose to a
question Of personal privilege, and Of
fered it from the floor, declaring he
would appeal his case to the people OF
the Fourth district of Illinois.
He said he had already forwarded
his resignation to Governor Dunno, and
had announced himself It's a candidate
for re- election. He presented a letter
from the speaker announcing his resig-
nation.
"Unfortunately," he said, Il came to
this house poor man; fortunately for
myself. however. taking into consid-
Grafton the character Of the charges
made against me. leave this house
a poor man. I have been compelled,
during my services as a member Of
this house, to borrow money from my
friends. 1t so happens that afterwards
they became opponents of legislation
which passed this house, affecting
their business as pawnbrokers and as.
liquor dealers.
N In Reply 70 Critics.
TT Is true have not had the edu-
cational training and. perhaps, the So
cial training and advantages that other
members may boast. 1 have been in
vited to many places in Chicago. and
elsewhere, that perhaps some members
may think above my social station, bu-
I have preferred to associate with the
people who sent me to congress and
when am home in Chicago I am to
be found at my accustomed haunts and
among my old co1e)anions associatin3
with the men and boys in the great
Union stockyards."
Mulhall charged that McDermott had
permitted him to use his congressional
frank for circulating matter for the
manufacturers, and that McDermott
had claimed he had received $500 from
local pawnbrokers to work against the
federal loan shark law, and a $4,000
campaign contribution for a Chicago
brewers association.
Ground Of McDermott's Defease.
McDermott's defense was that money
received from the pawnbrokers was in
the nature of personal loans, and that
the brewers had contributed only $500
out of personal friendship He also
denied a charge by Mulhall that he had
forged Harold T.. McCormick's S name to
check for $3.50.
The majority Of the investigating
committee, recommending censure, re-
ported McDermott guilty of acts Q,
grave impropriety ,unbecoming the dis
tinguished position he holds, and added
that his training and association have
not given him the ethical perception
and standards relative to public office
that usually characterize public men,"
The case was to come before the
house for vote Thursday.