Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-03-11
RECALLSFIGHT
IN SENATE TO
OUSTLORIMER
Beveridge Declares Task Was
Disagreeable, Although
Necessary.
SHOT AT NEWBERRY?

Special to The Times.
KENDALLVILLE, Ind, March H.
The long and successful fight to GUST
William S. Lorimer, Republican, Of Hi
nois, from the United States Senate kYas
dwelt upon by Albert J.. Beveridge, Can
didate for the Republican nomination for
the Senate, in q speech before the Ken
dallville Rotary Club and other organiza-
tions here last night. His reference to
the Lorimer case was interpreted as dis
approval Of the seating Of Senator Tru-
man II. Newberry.
As q colleague, an estimable gentleman
personally, a member of his political
party, Mr.. Beverage declared it was one
of the most difficult and personally dis
agreeable tasks of his life to take up
the fight against LOrimer. Clear cOnYic-
tiOn led him to dissent from the major
ity report of the committee on privileges
and elections, he said, when the evidence
showed Enthusiastically Lorimer was guilty
Of bribing the State Legislature to win
his election.
$ Us TASK WAS
NOT PLEASANT ONE.
Mr.. Beveridge said in part:
1T was not a happy choice for an
ordinary human being like myself to
make. Nothing would have been easier
than to have Joined the remainder Of the
committee in exonerating Senator Lori
mer, and if this had been done, of course
the fight upon him would have been
ended, in practical effect. But, my clear
Judgment and conviction was the evil
dence proved him to be guilty under the
law, and l was, therefore, in the position
of q judge who feels compelled to file a
dissenting opinion.
Accordingly 1 did so, and because of
this fact was put in the position of lead
ing the fight on the floor of the Senate.
This lasted for most of the session. At
the beginning most Of the leaders Of
both parties were for Senator Lorimer.
but as the debate proceeded, some Of
these men changed their minds. Sena-
tor Elihu Root, toward the close of the
debate, made one of the ablest arguments
ever heard In the Senate in such a case.
Senator Roots address also was very
passionate-it was a great piece Of ora
tory.
Senator Lorimer closed the case on bis
side: and he rose to heights Of eloQuence
which nobody ever suspected he could
reach. The Senate was held literally
spellbOund. Several Senator's, notably
Senator TiIlman of South Carolin, wept
OPENLY and audibly.
BEVERIDGE MADE
LEADER OF LIGHT.
During the debate 1t became neces-
sary for me TO teAe the floor many
times and also to sum up. In doing
this I collected all existing law on the
subject, and included it In my address
and this compendium of the law in such
matters. not only in America, but In Eng
land and France, will be found in the
Congressional Record.
"a vote came at the end Of the ses-
sion, and Senator Lorimer won by an
exceedingly narrow margin; but the
foundations had been laid for a re-
newal Of the contest at the next ses-
sion; indeed, further contest had been
made unavoidable. Thus came the sec
ond trial Of the Lorimer case, resulting
In q verdict against him.
This long struggle was my last work
as a Senator. In the preceding election
the Democrats had carried Indiana, and
went out OF office March 5, 1911 Ny
successor, that brilliant man, able law
yer and thorough gentleman, the Hon.
John W. Kern, took my place, and when
at the next session the Lorimer case
again came before the Senate, Senator
Kern spoke and voted against Senator
Lorimer as 1 had done; and this also
was done by his colleague, Senator
Shively."