New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-10
Small Submits
To Arrest; Gives
$4,000 Bond
Besieged in Office i'll Illi-
nois Capitol by Sheriff's
Forces, Governor Sets 5
O'clock for His Surrender
Shows Signs of Worry
End of 2 Weeks Defiance
Is Hailed With Relief
by Embarrassed Officials
Special Dispatch to The Tribune


SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, Aug 9-Gov-
ernor Len Small made another swift
change of attitude this afternoon and
notified Sheriff Mester that he would
submit to arrest. naming o'clock this
evening as the hour that would be most
convenient.
At that time Sheriff Mester went to
the Executive Mansion and took the
Governor in custody Mester declined
to make the arrest in the State House.
because that might have been con-
strued as interference with official
business. The Sheriff took the Gov
ernor by the arm and led him to the
court house. where he was required
to furnish bonds of $4,000. Ordinarily
the prisoner would have been per-
mitted to walk along without the hand
of the law upon him.
There is great sense of relief in
the Sherif's Office and among the en-
emles OF the Governor over this out
come Of what was rapidly becoming a
statewide and national farce. For two
weeks the Sheriff has waited with
three warrants charging embezzlement
Of 100000 and conspiracy to rob the
state funds of s2,O0o,0o0 while the Gov
ernor was State Treasurer.
Soon after the Governor had entered
the Executive Offices to-day the Sheriff
and MS forces besieged the building.
y 4
tnat he would resume his road insDec-
tlon tours on Thursday, so the Sheriff
was determined to get him before he
got out of Sangamon County.
Governor Locks Door
AS Sheriff Mester and squad OF de-
tectlves from the Springfield police
torce arrived at the State Capitol
building the Governor locked tho door
to his private Office and barred snv
attempt Of the Sangamon County an
thorities to enter peacefully.
The Governor was virtually a nrjs-
oner IN his Office. Sheriff Mcster an
nounced during his "watchful waiting
that the moment Governor Small de-
parted he would be placed under ar
rest. Every exit to the Capitol build
ing was guarded and as result the
Governor are no lunch.
nv SiOSh thc governor ordered
the door to his chamber unlocked
81 don't want the Sheriff to think we are
barring this office against him" the
Governor said.
The Governor viii remain in mis-
office until his days work is Finished"
was an announcement made shortly be-
fore 2 o'clock. "Hc expects the Sheriff
TO arrest him as soon as he goes to the
rotunda. He viii insist, however, on
an actual arrest, which means that the
Sheriff Will have to lay hands upon
him and seize him"
Sheriff Mester appeared ready to en-
ter the Office, and did so.
Arrest Sets Precedent
This is the first time in the history
Of Illinois that Governor Of the State
has been arrested on criminal charge
while in office. 1t was attempted twice
before, but the executives in each case
threatened to use the militia to pre-
vent being arrested, and the plans fell
The Sheriff proceeded to read all
three warrants. When he had finished
he said simply:
"Governor, you are under arrest"
every we'll" replied Governor Small.
What shall | do?"
"You must 90 to the courthouse
with me and give bond"
The entire proceeding occupied less
than ten minutes. There was no smile
on the Governors face. He appeared to
be greatly worried.
Governor Small presented the ShoriT
with u signed copy Of the opinion
which ne had read TO him yesterday,
holding that under the constitution a
Governor il immune from arrest while
in Office.