V
The filing of the reports did not end Senator Kern’s labors in the case, for it was decided that he should open the debate in favor of the expulsion of Lorimer and analyze the evidence submitted for the benefit of the senate and the country. It is little less than remarkable that he was not given greater credit by the press of the country for the part he played in ridding the senate of Lorimerism. To satisfy myself that his was the dominating part I have appealed to the three men who were in position to know, the two senators who acted with him and the Washington correspondent of The Chicago Tribune, who followed every detail of the case. The three unite in crediting Kern with having been the dominating influence. Senator Kenyon said that “John Kern’s ideas were the predominating influence.” Senator Lea said:
“Senator Kern was a dominating force in that part of the Lorimer committee that resulted in the full investigation of the case. The committee was intended by some to be a white wash and it was Kern’s determination to prevent that. His insight into human nature and knowledge of men enabled us to extricate from unwilling witnesses incidents in Illinois politics which gave color and meaning to much testimony that would otherwise have been barren of significance. Again Senator Kern’s tact prevented much friction in the committee that might have resulted in outbursts that would have diverted attention from the main issue—the guilt or innocence of Lorimer. Again Kern’s droll and ridiculing sense of humor so discomfited many of the witnesses that they could not adhere to their prepared testimony.”
John Callan O’Loughlin said:
“I am so glad that you are writing the biography of Senator Kern. He was a big man, straightforward, wholesome, and one with a high ethical sense. His conduct in connection with the Lorimer case in itself justifies the country in holding up his memory to remind future generations of what they owe to him.
“Mr. Kern, when he began his duty as a member of the Lorimer investigating committee—it was a distasteful duty—realized as did we all that the country stood at the parting of the ways. Whether corruption was to continue in connection with the election of United States senators or whether the people were to be given an opportunity to have their own representatives in the upper house was the question he was called upon to investigate and determine. I know the pressure that was brought to bear upon him directly, indirectly, openly and insiduously, and I know that he stood up against it with that whole-hearted courage which he manifested in other matters he faced.
“As a member of the investigating committee it was Mr. Kern’s cross-examination which frequently brought out points that even members of the committee were endeavoring to cover up. If he had not been on the committee, I hesitate to say what the result might have been. Not only in the committee, but on the floor of the senate he pressed the fight against corruption. His arguments, or rather his presentation of facts, were absolutely convincing, but more than this, the fact that he had come to the conclusion that Lorimer’s seat had been purchased unquestionably influenced senators who recognized his integrity and the reliability of his judgment.
“There is no doubt that the expulsion of Lorimer from the senate, which was due largely to Senator Kern’s efforts, brought about the amendment to the Constitution for the direct election of senators. In itself, this is a monument to Mr. Kern.”