South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-08-11
CLAIMS FACTS
In CASE WILL
BE TOLD SOON
Executive Declares He Has
Been Made Victim of a
'Lawless Ring Gang.
RAPS CHICAGO TRIBUNE
u. ). Sen. Mccormick and
Atty. Gen. Brundage Also AT.
tackled In Announcement.

SPRINGFIELD, H. Aug. IO.-As
the first step 10 bring about a speedy
Tlal' states Atty Mortimer OF san
canon county "Wednesday offered a
change Of venue TO Gov. Len Small
arrested Tuesday at the executive
mansion after a days siege OF the
state capitol building by Sheriff Mes
ter on warrants charging embezzIe-
ment and conspiracy while small was
state treasurer. The governor did
not indicate Wednesda whether he
would accept Mortimers offer.
Both Gov. Small and the states at
torney issued statements Wednesdav
In explanation Of their sides OF tha
case the governor declaring that he
had never evaded arrest, demanding
an early trial. and assailing the
Sangamon county lawless ring" the
chicago Tribune and Daily News and
q. s. Sen. AIedille Mccormick as well
as Atty. Gen. 2. J. Brundage. who
instituted the proceedings against
him. he said
Gov. Small in MS statement said:
The governor Of Illinois has been
falsely indicted and falsely arrested
through the Vaccinations Of a gang
holding In utter disregard the con
sutution and laws Of this state.
Our federal constitution gua-an-
tees 70 every state a republican form
OF government A republican form
- government provides for the in
vioiaNle separation OF the legsssative
executive and skdir[9I bE1>ScI- =
"Repressnunq I te. the su-
prerne executive authority OF this
great connAOnW ealth, vested I'm ma
by the constitution through the peo-
pie, / have at no time intruded upon
the functions OF other branches OF
the government clothed IN Ike man
ner with authority.
Il have through lawful procedure
protected the executive DO. n ac-
cording TO my oath Of oflce with due
respect TO the courts and have
availed myself of competent legal
advice in so doing.
Contrary TO the accepted prin-
ciples Of our government and al the
behest OF corrupt conspirators. the
authority OF the people has been
prostituted 10 the purposes Of a. law
less ring. This ring. comprised OF
the most vicious elements in Sanga-
mon county. is aided and abetted by
commercialized newspapers such as
the Chicago Tribune and Chicago
Daily News. Atty. Gen. +. J. Brun-
dage and U. S. Sen. MediIle 1IcCor-
mick
u desire 70 say have never. evad-
ed arrest on the framed Up charges
in my Indictment in the many conn
ties OF this state which I have since
visited. have gone about the state
freely IN performance OF my duties
subject TO the Apprehension OF any
sheriff or other officer in any one
Of such counties. The sheriff OF
SangamOn county was closely adj
vised OF my movements and could
have ordered my arrest IN any coun-
~ where happened 10 be. II he so
desired. No noiestatiOn has been
attempted except IN gang-ruled
lSangamOn county. Here the rufian-
ism OF corrupt politics has threaten
ed the orderly process OF govern
ment. Here the ring would subor-
dlnate proper lawful functions 10 its
improper and lawless purposes.
Notwithstanding pretenuons Of
deCenCy my enemies maItci0us-y
staged a spectacular arrest under
circumstances intended 20 humlIlate
me and disgrace the people OF our
state. Even though the sheriff
stated he had no thought that
would evade arrest nevertheless the
capitol OF the state was bes1eEed and
surrounded by an army OF deputies
drawn from the Sums Of Springfield.
and when I was finally arrested IN
| the executive mansion the sheriff
lperemp tOrily refused 20 examine or
/ accept a bond with ample surety
which presented and forciolv took
me from the executive mansion and
paraded me through a mob ,-L. "a
/ had been assembled 20 Jeer and .1-
suit the governor.
The bond which the sheriff re-
| jected finally was accepted wi-lru.
change, with the single objection
that lawful surety had been furnish
ed.
In the interest OF the public wei
fare, upon advice Of my council. ]
have preserved the rights az the exc
ecutives branch under unlawr1. are
rest and have given bond under pro-
test.
IN view OF the great Issue Of
public policy involved IN this Els-
Icreditable and unprece1ented pro-
ceediag the facts IN this controversy
must be brought 20 light without
delay. Ny innocence IS known &C
me. 7 assert Il with all the positive.
ness OF an unblemished record and g
clear and honest conscience. The
people all over this state must know
IT, Daylight must be admitted {.
the corrupt channels through which
this conspiracy has dovn-
All the ramidcauons ~ rrr--
ed vice and crime supplementary &C
my prosecution must be exhibited
20 public view.
Proceedings thus far have beeE
founded on untruth- The next pro
ceedinS mus EsEeal aheetrEtAs