The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-12-16
SENATE BOSS
FACES FIGHT
FOR HIS POST
Conrad w. Croker Assails
What He Terms Irregulari-
ties in Election
NOT LEGALLY ELECTED
Attack Bay State Senator as
Most Harmful Man
Since Nero
NOT LEGALLY ELECTED

washington, Dec. 16.-The pro-
ceedings begun in Massachusetts,
calling in to question the re-elec-
ton to the senate of Henry Cabot
Lodge, the Republican leader, today
were transferred to the senate it.
self.
A protest and challenge" against
the election Of Senator Lodge was
received by Vfce-President Coolidge
from Conrad W. Crooker attorney
fer John A. Nicols, defeated prohl-
blt'on candidate, and representative
OF the Liberal Republican League us
Massachusetts,.
"Flagrant irregularities" in the
November 7, senatorial election
were charged in Mr.. Crooker's petit
ton, which declared Senator Lodge
was a minority" winner and had
been "repudlated. "Mr. Crocker
asked for an immediate hearing.
Referred to Election Committee
The papers are to be referred to
the senate privileges and elections
committee. 1t is not customary for
the committee or the senate to take
action on election contests until the
convening of the new congress
which they affect and senate leaders
indicated today that despite the re-
quest for immediate action on the
Crooker proceedings would lie dor
mant until March 4. Mr.. Crooker's
statement said that the Liberal Re-
publican League represented more
than 100000 Massachusetts Republi-
cans. He added that his protest
against the validity of Mr.. Lodges
reelection was justified by "abund-
ant evidence" and also by "the over
whelming dem onstration Of Massa-
chusetts public sentiment at the
polls in the recent election
Lodge Repudiated
Massachusetts has repu dated
Lodge and all the reactionary oh
struction that he stands for" the
statement said.
The total vote for Senator was
867,157, it was declared and Senator
Lodge received on the face Of re-
turns 414,1 and was thus "mino-
rity candidate" 1t was added that no
two tabulatons Of the vote agree.
"Flagrant irregularities in the
conduct of the election occurred all
over the state," Mr.. Croker said,'
the result as tabulated by the Gov
ernor and council as the basis for
the issuance Of certificate Of cleo
ton to Lodge is result that cannot
be accepted or recognized as repre-
sentative of legal or final result.
We are satisfied on all the infor-
nation that has come into our pos
session since the election that Lodge
was not legally elected, and I am
here to obtain an immediate oppor-
tunity to prove it." ,@
.. Not Partisan Move
MI. Crooker said his fight was
not on behalf of VIM. A.. CASTOR,
who was the Democratic candidate,
and was not a partisan move, but
was designed "to unseat the man
who has accomplished more harm as
an obstructor of world peace and
the natural expression Of liberal
thought than any man since Nero"
"More than that" he continued,
the practices by which Lodge has
maintained his. power in Massachu-
sets are as venal and meanceful as
anything that Platt, Penrose or
Quay ever attempted"
Mr.. Crooker added that he realiz-
ed the administration would ere
tain its principal senatorial prop
but he said Lodge was beaten at
home and "his machine is shatter-
ed wreck"
1t is understood that the liberal
league has served notice on Massa-
chusetts election officials to pre-
serve the ballots for use in the SEN
afo contoS{