Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-02-09
Illinois Representative Who
Made Charges Is Expelled
From the Legislature
LEGISLATORS ARE INDIGNANT
Report Filed Says There Were No
Grounds For tho charses-comer-
ford Makes Long Speech Defending
His Action but is Given soant Con-
sideration.

Comerford, a representative from the
Second senatorial district Of Cook coun-
IT, to the forty-fourth general assembly,
has been expelled as a member of that
body and his name stricken from the
rolls of the house Of assembly. His
expulsion was the climax of a series
Of sensational charges of corruption
and attempted bribery made by Mr..
Comerford against members of the
Illinois legislature, which were inves-
tigated by special committee of the
house, appointed for that purpose,
which found, after protracted sittings,
and listening to a great mass of tes-
timony that the charges brought by
Mr., Comerford were utterly unfound-
ed.
Late last evening this committee re-
ported it's findings to the house. 1t
made no recommendation, either for
or against punishment to be inflicted
upon the young Cook county member,
but. the reading Of the report was fol-
lowed instantly by q resolution pro-
viding for the expulsion of Mr.. Com
erford. The resolution cited Mr.. Com
erford to appear before the bar of the
house today and show cause why he
should not be expelled. Mr.. Comerford
emphatically declined to take up the
time Of the house" by further delay,
waived his right to prepare his de-
tense, and stated. that he was ready
ris.ht then to defend himself. He was
taken at his word, and in a brilliant
speech Of more than an hours dura-
ton reviewed the testimony taken be-
fore the investigating committee, fer
cely scored the committee for so linn
iting the scope of the investigation
that "God Almighty himself, if He
came here, would have been prevented
from getting evidence against self
confessed thief" He denounced GER
tain members for the nature of their
testimony before the committee, which,
he claimed, was so far different from
what they had told him that 'they
stood convicted as liars" He declared
all he asked for was justice; that he
had nothing to retract nor to apollo
gize for.
"You may sign my political death
warrant as member of this Forty
fourth general assembly" he conclud-
ed, but I shall go back to my con-
stituents knowing that will be well
coined as a servant who has dared 10
do hts duty"
Members of the investigating COM
rnittee, one after another, rose and
holly resented Mr.. Comerford's reflec-
tions on the action of the comittee.
One after another members attacked
Mr. Comerford for his attacks on
them. zone lone member, Mr.. Nc
Caskrin, of Rock Island, made a plea
for delay. that the house might think
over the matter and not act in hot
blood. No attention was paid to it.
Mr. Sheen, a prohibitionist member
from Peoria, offered a substitute for
the resolution Of expulsion, providing
simply for censure and deprivation Of
committeeship membership. 1t was
laid on the table with a thunder of
voices. Mr.. Shanahan Of Cook county
moved the previous question.
Mr.. Comerford, white faced, ex-
hausted and hoarse from his long plea,
arose and demanded the right as a de-
fendant of having the last word. 1t
was given him. He defended his per-
sonal political history, and closed with
a demurrer, saying the house of as
1 SGIlUly udu ITO IlSuI vi Jul1Su1CLlOIl
over him. II have waived all my
rights" said Mr.. Comerford, "and per-
nit you, if you want to. to go against
the evidence, against the record,
against what I can subsequently do,
and allow your personal, feeling, your
vengeance, to go against that of your
better judgment. Now, do with me as
you please"
The speaker then ordered roll call.
One hundred and twenty-one members
voted AYE" thirteen members voted
no." eight members refused to an
nounce their decision. When roll call
was completed, Coleman, of Fayette.
announced that this morning he would
move a reconsideration of the vote 1t
foreshadowed delay and a half dozen
members were on their feet in an in
slant. Glackin, of Cook was recognize
ed. He moved instant reconsideration,
but the motion was laid on the table.
Comerford was then formally expelled
and the clerk ordered to erase his name
from the records. Comerford quietly
walked up the center aisle of the
chamber and out of the door.