Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 May 1910 — BRIBERY STORY TO BE THROUGHLY SIFTED [ARTICLE]

BRIBERY STORY TO BE THROUGHLY SIFTED

Illinois Legislator’s Charges Result In Sensation. The sensational charge by C. A. White that SI,OOO each was paid certain members 'of the legislature In electing William Lorimer United States senator and that the alleged existence of what was termed a “jack-pot” corruption fund stirred Illinois political and official life. Following the disclosures Governor D.eneen, States Attorney Wayman and Attorney General Stead got busy In vestigatlng the charges. The case wijl probably be laid before the grand jury at- once, it was declared. Charles A. White, a Democratic member of the legislature from O'Fallon, St. Claire county, in the Fortyninth senatorial district, .confesses he received SI,OOO for voting for Mr. Lorimer. White further says that he received S9OO as his share of the corruption fund which it is alleged was held in a 'sort of trust for the payment of money for the passage of bills in the jeneral assembly. Lee O’Neil Browne, of Ottawa, minority leader, is accused by White, according to the story, and is charged with having paid the money White declares he received for having voted for Mr. Lorimer. Robert E. Wilson, Democratic member from Chicago and a follower of Browne in the legislature, is accused by White of having paid him the S9OO additional that White says he received. Senator Lorimer, in his home at Plstakee' Bay, made a statement denying every word of White's confession. He declared that politics was back of the charges and there was no foundation for them. “This attack is a surprise to me,” said Senator Lorimer. Ido not understand it. I do not understand why such a-thing should be printed. I am sure that nobody gave anyj money to any one In the legislature'"on my benaif, White or any one else.” Lee O’Neil Browne arrived in Chicago and declared emphatically there was no truth in the story told by Mr. White.

The grand jury, called primarily to look into the various charges growing out of the /John C. Fetzer trouble with the Chicago and Western Indiana railway, will take up the White-Lorimer case as well and promises to make on>e of the most important and sensational political graft investigations the city has known for years. A startling development in the brloery scandal wus the report that memPers of the legislature who have been mentioned in the gossip about corruption were beginning to leave the state. Lee O’Neil Browne, declaring that the story of. White is false from beginning to end, has determined to fight the Charges. Among the “down state” men who are in Chic ago at tile request of State’s Attorney Wayman to testify before the -rand jury are Thomas Tippit of Olney, leader of the minority taction of Democrats in the legislature and opponent of Ice O’Neil Browne; J. W. GibSOP,; a banker of Mount Vernon. 111., the. home to.wn of Representative William C. Blair, Democrat, who voted I for Lorimer; Henry A. Shepherd of ; Jerseyville, banker and legislator, y. ho vc t e d'. for Lori trier :1 ndw a s nam e d by Charles A, .White, as one of those who attended lh> St. Louis .meeting; Sen--ator. Albert.. E-- Isley of Newton. who made a speech in, the legislature declaring; that there was “bribery in. the lir.” - I- • Representative Tippft -admitted that he expected to go before the grand jury; but he refused to forecast what 're would tell the jurors.. Later in theo day the men were taken before the grand jury.