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The Illinois Senatorial
Scandal
'A ipeclal grand jury In Chicago has charge
of the Illinois scandal. Tho people are begin
ning to learn now why certain men elected to
tho legislature as democrats helped to elect to
tho United States senate, William Lorimer, a
stand-pat republican. An editorial appearing in
Tho Commoner of June 25, 1909 soon after
Lorimer's election will bo interesting at this
time. That editorial follows:
"Democracy as defined by the democrats in
the Illinois legislature is about as loathsome an
aTticle as one can imagine. A republican boss
has been sent to tho United States senate by
the aid of democratic votes. If the democratic
members of the legislature had voted for Hop
kins objectionable as he was they might have
pleaded as an excuse that he had received a'
plurality in the primary of the dominant party;
if they had helped in the selection of some clean
and upright republican they might have justified
their act, but to join in the selection of Speaker
Cannon's right hand man is indefensible wheth
er considered from the standpoint of party or
from the standpoint of patriotism.
"Why did they do it? Well, you can not judge
from the reasons given publicly. Watch the
democrats who voted for him and you may
be able to discover from their movements what
led them to so grossly abuse the authority
vested in them."
The Grand Jury's Work
Following is an Associated Press dispatch:
Chicago, May 4. In the special grand jury
investigation of the alleged bribery in connec
tion with the election of United States Senator
William Lorimer, the first witnesses today were
Representative Charles White who alleges he ac
cepted $1,000 to cast his vote for Lorimer
Senator Albert E. Eisley of Newton, who made
the first speech in the legislature denouncing
Lorimer as a candidate, and Representative
Henry E. Sheppard of Jerseyville.
Representative Thomas Tippet of Olney was
present in the state attorney's office. Tippet
was a candidate for the minority leadership
against Lee O'Neill Browne, who is alleged by
Representative White to have disbursed the so
called Lorimer "slush fund " The three legis
lators, all of whom are democrats, said they were
present in answer to telegrams from the state's
attorney.
Tippet and Sheppard voted for Lorimer, but
Isley held out for the democratic candidate,
Steinger.
To reporters, Mr. Eisley said he would testify
as to common gossip at Springfield that demo
cratic votes were being sought with money in
behalf of the Lorimer candidacy.
That States Attorney Burke of Sangamon
county, of which Springfield is the county seat,
intends to push an independent inquiry into the
bribery charges was made evident here today.
"I have two democratic state representatives
who will give important evidence before the
special grand jury in regard to the alleged brib
ery in the election of William Lorimer as United
States senator," said States Attorney John Way
man today on his return from a mysterious visit
to St. Louis and the southern part of Illinois.
"These witnesses will appear before the grand
jury on Saturday and tell some important things
about the election of Mr. Lorimer," continued
Mr. Wayman. "I am not at liberty to give their
names, but I will say they are members of the
state legislature, whose names have not been
mentioned thus far in the investigation. Their
identity will be a' surprise."
Indictments Returned
Chicago, May C. Lee O'Neil Browne of Otta
wa, democratic leader of the Illinois house of
representatives, was indicted on a charge of
bribery, and Representative Robert E. Wilson
of Chicago and Representative Michael S. Link
of Mitchell were indicted on charges of perjury
here today by the special grand jury which for a
week has been investigating the election on May
26, 1909 of William Lorimer of Chicago to the
United States senate. The charge upon which
the indictments were returned in Judge Ker
en's court was supplied by Representative
Charles White of O'Fallon and Representative
H. J. C. Beckemeyer of Carylie. Wilson and
Link as well as White and Beckemeyer are dem
ocratic members of the legislature. Associated
Press Report.
The Commoner.
"APPROACHED WITH CAUTION"
Washington, May 8. Associated Press Dis
patch: Although President Taft was quoted in
his Boston address not long ago as being in
favor of a central bank, it was learned today
that he is opposed to a central bank of Issue at
the present time. To tho scores of bankers who
have been sending inquiries, Secretary of tho
Treasury MacVeagh has been, authorized by tho
president to make the following statement:
"Mr. Taft was misquoted In tho reports of his
Boston address. The president is not In favor
of a central bank at tho present tirao and ho
has personally required mo to advise you that
ho is not advocating tho establishment of such
an institution."
It is said that the president has learned by his
trips through various states that tho opposition
to tho central bank is such that THE SUBJECT
SHOULD BE APPROACHED WITH CAUTION.
Moreover, he is said to have reached tho con
clusion that such a change would involve unset
tled conditions.
5-
THE SALOON'S DEMAND FOR COMPENSA
TION Tho liquor Interests often demand, with a
show of righteous indignation, that they shall,
as a matter of equity, bo compensated for loss
that may come to saloon property by tho re
fusal of a license. They should remember tho
ancient rule that those who seek equity must
do equity and enter a' court of equity with
clean hands. Do they compensate the mother
when they drag her boy down to ruin? Do they
compensate the wife when they destroy tho earn
ing capacity of her husband? Do they compen
sate the children whose lives are blighted by a
father's dissipation? Do they compensate society
when they convert wealth producers into pau
pers? Do they compensate the state when they
blunt the sensibilities of citizens and make a
drink more potent than an argument in securing
votes?
The man who profits by cultivating in others
the appetite for strong drink ought to be the
last one to insist upon recovering compensation
for any loss that he may suffer because of tho
enforcement of laws enacted for the protection
of society.
DEMOCRACY LOSES A FRIEND
The death of Judge J. O. Booth of Grant's
Pass, Oregon, removes from the council of the
democratic party one whose Joss will be severely
felt. He was a man of strong character, of high
purpose, of strict integrity, and of great indus
try. He was a democrat from conviction, and
ever ready to give a reason for tho faith that
was in him. Incorruptible, fearless, and ever
at work in the propagation of the truths 'which
he held dear, he was a tower of strength to his
party. Mr. Bryan joins Judge Booth's host of
friends in mourning his death.
COMMONER CIRCULATION
J. W. Berkheimer, Niagara, N. D. Please
find check enclosed for $6 for ten subscriptions
for The Commoner. Kindly send me another
blank, as I think I can get ten more subscribers.
I will also send you a few names for you to write
to, as I think they "will be good men to work for
The Commoner. I am your, "Old Hickory."
Dr. B. H. McKinney, New Douglas, 111.
Please find money order for $6.60 for eleven
subscriptions to The Commoner. I may send
in a little later from one to three more, as
others talked favorable. I like The Commoner.
I. W. Brown, Burnsville, W. Va. I am send
ing you twenty-two subscriptions for The Com
moner and furthermore wish to inform you that
although I am 68 years old and lost one arm
in the service of the confederacy, I am still
wording for the principles of democracy and
still an adherent to the teachings of the "great
commoner."
Subscriptions to The Commoner have been
received in number as follows: John Cale, W.
Va., 7; W. B. Liston, Ind., 5; E. J. Kay, Minn.,
7; Rev. H. H. Osterhout, Minn., 5; Jos. Corri
gan, N. J., 5; John K. Hawbaker, la., 7; W. M.
Lee, W. Va., 10; Jas. H. Tuohey, Mont., 5; T. T.
Pritchard, Wyo., 6; Lewis Ranck, Sr., O., 10;
Henry Lange, 0., 5; Eugene Lowry, W. Va., 6;
Charles H. Bush, Ind., 5; H. A. Escher, la., 5;
T. W. Peeler, Miss., 5; J. H. Bentley, Mo, 5;
Geo. W. Walter, N. D., 6; B. D. Piffenger, Mont.,
5; R. E. Scott, Ore., 6; S. M. Cuthbertson, Cal.,
5; S. F. Koontz, O., 5;- Geo. H. Brown, S. D.,
6; P. S. Chisholm, Minn., 12; F. W. Miescke,
Wash., 11; I. P. Woolverton, Nev 5; F. Z.
Schellonberg, Pa., 5; C. W. Bonnctt, Mo., G;
J. Mackoroth, Minn., 5; Jacob Gepraga, Vt. 5;
C. J. Dlckoy, Mich., 8; J. II. Miller, N. D., 10;
II. II. Hoydon, Minn., 5; Frod Granger, Mich., 6;
C. R. Walsworth, S. D., G; W. H. Zastrow, Wis.,
G; D. E. Biggs, W. Va., 10; Frcl Cook, O., 5;
J. P. Dlckorson, Oro., 5 ; Mlahnol E. Ka.no, Mich.,
t; Everott Wynant, 111., G; Geo. SIndUngor,
Nob., G; B. H. Trusdell, N. J., 10; A. II. Cous
sons, Mo., 5; Dan Krumm, O., G; C. R. Smith,
Nob., G; Angus Ferguson, N. D., G; W. M. Free
man, Mo., 6; Daniel Graber, O., G; Geo. P.
Spangler, Mo., 6; W. R. McCall, Ida., 11; R. O.
Morris, 111., G; G. W. Pettit, W. Va., G; C. R.
Sturdivant, Ore., 6; D. N. Clark, Mo., G; J. T.
Bledsoe, Tex., 8; W. F. Cable, Ida., 8; Wm. H.
Shellar, Pa., 8; T. L. Borom and II. W. Ballard,
Ala., 33; John W. Sogar, 111., G; E. B. Luce, N.
Y 6; J. D. Smith, Mo., G; Win. H. McCormlck,
Mich., G; Geo. O. McLaughlin, Kan., 6; Samuel
Roam, S. D., 8; Galloway Bros., Okla., G; Edw.
Tuck, Franco, 11; S. II. Myers, Ky G; M. D.
Dungan, Wash., 6; J. K. Simmons, 0 G; W. A.
Waugh, W. Va., 9; D. P. Castor, Wash., 9; A. J.
Scroggins, Cal., 6; Maxey Adams, Ky., G; Thos.
L. Patterson, O., 6; Frank T. Woods, Mont., G;
W. F. Stremol, N. D., G; D. P. L. Hudson, Cal.,
G; Thos. A. Welsh, O., 6; F. S. Tyrrell, Neb., G;
C. E. Guiberson, Wash., G; J. Chevalier, Okla.,
6; I. H. Mathews, O., 6; L. M. Bourne, Ky., 6;
Axol Johnson, N. D 11; John Lynch, Mont., 9;
Michael Walter, N. D., G; S. H. Hamilton, S. D
6; W. M. Nash, Ida., 6; J. Taylor, O., G; S. E.
Hutchlns, Wis., G; D. B. Martin, O., 6; D. T.
McMullen, Fla., G; A. Sproat, Wyo., 6; Beaver
Bros., O., 6; A. W. Kaykendall, Okla., G; W. D.
Branigan, Ind., 6; A. L. Wright, S. D., G; Thos.
H. Slaven, Cal., 21; L. L. Stair, N. D., 27;
Harry J. Fasy, Pa., G; John W. Chambleo, Ala.,
7; A. B. Crist, Kan., 6; A. Goff, Virginia, G;
J. M. Harper, W. Va., 12; John Woodward, Wis.,
6; F. T. Attleberry, Neb., 6; Lewis Moon, Minn.,
6; H. H. Eames, Tex., G; B. Boring, Mo., 7;
Knute Langorgen, S. D., 7; Jas. Lang, 111., 6;
P. S. Brubaker, N. D., G; C. E. Emmerich, N.
D., 6; H. A. Bell, Wyo., 6; H. P. Lamberson,
Mo., G; H. C. Taggart, Mich., 6; Jacob Kramer,
Mo., 6; J. A. Rees, O., 6; Grant B. Kenyon,
Minn., 5; V. S. Couts, O., 6; B. F. Peoples,
Kan., 6; Jas. L. Campbell, Cal., 7; Adolph
Gethmann, la., 7; J. S. McNIsh, N. D., 6; E. B.
Harter, Mich., G," C. C. Myers, Okla., G; E. G.
Carroll, La., 6; Jno. B. Ennis, Kan., 6; C. L.
Weigel, Pa G; J. R. Lowther, W. Va., G; S. S.
Swltzer, la., G; G. A. Miller, Wis., 6; S. Rico,
Kan., 6; J. W. Curry, Ga., 8; W. T. Boyd, 111.,
6; J. A. Wheatly, Ky., G; Jas. C. Stambaugh,
Pa., G; S. P. Rosebury, Mo., 6; L. A. Thomas
son, W. Va., 9; Jno. K. Weeks, Ind., G; J. Hein
rlch, O., 6; Lewis A. Jennings, Va., G; Jos. Ma
hood, W. Va., 6; E. H. Gillette, la., 7; II. L.
Town, N. Y., 7; Jno. Gaskill, Kan., 6; W. C.
Jarboe, Okla., 6; H. W. Scott, O., G; W. H.
Feaver, Minn., 6; Chas. II. McCollura, Mich.,
G; S. C. Weber, O., G; John Troville, Vt., G;
Geo. Niefer, N.Y., 6; H. W. Schlichting, Wis.,
6; E. W. Hoover, 111., 6; W. S. Chisholm, Minn.,
6; O. E. Frogner, Minn., 6; A. J. Hite, Mo., G;
J. C. Cunningham, W. Va., 6; D. A. Babcock,
Mich., G; P. J. Cool, N. D., G; J. A. Sutton, Cal.,
6; L. P. Seraones, Va., 6; W. W. Campbell,
Mo., 9; J. G. Helronimus, Va., 5; J. W. Grace,
Ind., G; C. C. Courney, Mo., 6; Tom S. Hum
phrey, la., G; W. B. Pendell, Wash., G; C. C.
Salisbury, Kan., G; D. W. Nye, Ind., 7; A. N.
Higgins, Mich., 6; Jno. DIssman, III., 8; J. K.
Montgomery, la., 9; W. A. Bell, 111., G; J. M.
Blanks, Va., G; R. E. Wallis, Kan., 5; H. Cole
man, Ida., G; W. E. Parker, O., 6; J. H. Hume,
Mich., 6; T. L. Clark, Mont., G; E. DIefendorf,
Kan., 6; Simon Langell, Mich., G; Lewis Gore,
111., 6; M. G. Martin, O., G; J. C. Driscoll, N. D
11; Wm. J. Savage, Cal., G; Mitchell Stevens,
Wash., 7; Winfield Hall, 111., 6; W. A. Griffith,
W. Va., 6; R. E. Higgins, N. Y., 6; J. W. Boe
ing, N. D., 6; A. L. McKean, Pa., 6; S. J. Cul
ver, Ore., G; J. K. Fridley, S. D., 7; John New
man, N. D., 6; H. F. Williams, Mo., G; G. W.
Nagel, Neb., 6; J. W. Whitney, Kan., 6; Edw.
Fleischman, Pa., 6; Judge J. B. Campbell, Cal.,
6; John A. Dodds, 111., 7; J. F. Fessler, Wis., G;
John Weaver, Pa., G; J. L. Brandon, Ind., G;
Chas. E. Sears, Mo., G; John Weaver, Pa., 6;
J. L. Brandon, Ind., G; Chas. E. Sears, Mo., G;
H. C. Nelson, Minn., G; J. F. Gereke, Neb., 6;
.B. B. Adams, Mo., 6; F. M. Hockersmith, la., 6;
Enos Fisher, O., G; Rhodes I. Gregory, 0., 10;
Oliver Cronk, Mo., G; J. S. Bailey, Ind., G.
Tho American Homestead, a monthly farm
journal of national scope, will bo sent to all
Commoner subscribers, without additional cost,
who renew their subscriptions during tho month
of May. Take advantage of this offer at once,
and send In your renewal.
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