OCR Text |
Show THE LORIMER CASE. The Lwnvr caso Is exciting moro attention today than ever' before, simply because the majority report to tho Senate enunciated this doctrine: The senate must be convinced of either of the two following facts. 1. That tho person elected participated par-ticipated In one or more nets of bribery, or attempted brlbory, or sanctioned nr encouraged the same, or 2. That by bribery or corrupt practices enough votes wore obtained ob-tained for them to change the results of the election. Tho report goes on to say thnt tho testimony shows that only four votes wero corrupted, nnd thnt the testl numy of these four Is so infamous, coming from urlbo tnkers, that It cannot bo depended upon. Inasmuch, then, as four votes only were corrupted cor-rupted and seven had to be control led by bribery In order to gain tho election of Mr. Lcaimor, his election cannot he declared Invalid. In slmpl. words, though Mr. Lorlmer redcfveil tho support of four corrupted leglsla tors, yet seven wero needed to Insure In-sure his election, and therefore he was rightfully elqcted. . As tho Outlook says, "We do not think this report forms a cheerful document for thoso citizens who would like to believe that high standards stand-ards or Intelligence, ability, and honor hon-or prevail' .In tho United s't'iiVos Senate." ir one .man voted Tor Lorlmer Lorl-mer becauBo ho was purchased or unduly Influenced, wo believe Mr, Lorimer should bo declared Illegally elected to the highest, "legislative body In' the land. Whether ono or ' a dozen men hail tlclr votes changed 1 is a matter of no consequence compared compar-ed to tho fact that corruption was used fr.r a man's selection. V.'hother Mr. LormGrn ns cognizant or ' not of any bribery, wo do not presume to say; but tho rulo that enough votes must bo purchased to Insure the election elec-tion or a senator before his election can. bo said to bo Invalid, Is a most pernicious one and one designed to shako ralth In tho Integrity of tho senate Itself. |