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Show 44444444444444-44- 4 4- 4- WASHINGTON, Feb. 22. 4 William larmier, of Illinois, 4 4 today In person made his do- 4 4 fense against the- charge that 4- 4 his election to the senate of 4 4 the United Suites was accom- 4 4 plishcd by the bribery and cor- 4 4 ruptlon of the legislature of II- 4 4 llnols. His defense was an em- 4 -r- phatlc denial. 4- 4 4 4 4 4 4 44 4-44 444444- There was no vote today; Immediately Immedi-ately upon the conclusion of Mr. Lori-mer's Lori-mer's speech, the sonatc went Into executive ex-ecutive session on the Japanese treaty and the answer to the Lorlmor speech, which Senator Bovcrldge was prepared to make, went over until tomorrow. Nobody knows when a vote will be reached. With almost every senator In hi seat, and In tho presence of a gteat crowd of members of tho houso on the senate floor, and of spectators In the densely packed galleries, he made a speech of four hours, and even his bitterest bit-terest opponents admitted it was able, well-sustained and dramatic. "Human Interest Story." Mr. Lorlmor's speech was distinctly distinct-ly a "human Interest story." For example, ex-ample, In explaining the votes of Democrats Dem-ocrats for him In the legislature which elected him to tho senate, he told of the beginning of his acquaintance with "HInky Dink" forty years ago. It was a homely story of one newsboy holplng another, but it was most effectively told, and there wero many other touches of human nature in the speech, which held the Interest of tho great audience from beginning to end. What offect, If any the speech will havo upon the vote In the senate, It Is Impossible to say Tho general Impression Im-pression dbout tie capltol tonight Is that Mr Lorlmor and his frlendB havo safely pledged tho votes with which to defeat tho resolution, which would declare de-clare his seat vacant, and that If tho matter comes to a vote, the result will bo a Lorlmer victors. Beverldge.to Make Long Speech. Senator Beverldge is expected to make a long speech In answer to Mr. Lorlmer. How much tlmo the senate will be willing to give to this subject remains to bo seen. It is not Impos slblo that Mr. Lorlmer's oppononts may be able to prevent tho matter coming to a vote before adjournment It was said today this was the plan which the antl-Lorimor people would try to carry out. Mr. Lorlmor today reviewed practically practi-cally all the charges which have been made against himself. His statement was In the nature both of testimony and of pleading. He devoted his attention at-tention entirely to the arguments of other sonators against him. Explains Democratic Support. Ho explained his Democratic support sup-port on the grounds of long standing personal friendships for himself and of nntlpathy for Senator Hopkins, who was his principal antagonist in the senatorial contest. In the former connection he related more than one story going to show attachment at-tachment running over many years This portion of the address appealed strongly to the feelings of senators, but when Senator Crawford Intimated Umt the Illinois senator was making a bid for sympathy he resented the Imputation Im-putation and turned the question to his own advantage by saying hie only purpose was set boforc tho senate tho truth. Refers to Deneen Cace. Mr. Ixrlmer uudortook also to show his advocacy qf the lake-to-the-Mlsslsslppl waterway had caused many members of the legislature to be partial to him. Ho said he had made an effort to Induce Governor Deneen to become a candidate to break the senatorial deadlock and, in effect, he declared that If Deneen had been so inclined, he could hae elected Hopkins Hop-kins by throwing his vote to him. One or two allusions were made to the prosecution of the case and his enemies wero referred to as '('assassins of chhracter." There wre occasional pointed references to the speeches of opposing senators, Messrs. Root and Crawford coming in for special attention. atten-tion. Mr. Ijorimei asserted emphatically that not only had ho not caused money mon-ey to Influence his election, but that on his honor he knew of none having been so employed. Many Spectators Present. Besides Senator Beverldge there is general expectation that other senators senat-ors will ask to be. heard and It Is pre dicted that "the aftermath" of the Lorlmer speech will be quite as Interesting Inter-esting as tho speech Itself. Among Uie spectators "society," as known In Washington, was out In force. 'The diplomatic gallery was filled v, Ith representatives of various nations. Besides the members of (ho house, former senators, such as Teller, of Colorado, and sonators-elect, such as Works, of California; Townscnd, of Michigan, and Hitchcock of Nobraaka, visited the chamber In the course of the speech. . From the cabinet therCcame Attorney Attor-ney General Wickersham. .oo |