Norwich bulletin., 1921-08-11
Change hang x s1ss s,,,,, Mari That He Has Been
 Fal Indsted and False.
 ly Arrested.

first step to bring about a speedy trial; States Attorney Mortimer of Sanganon county today offered a change of venue to Governor Len Small, arrested yester- day at the executive mansion after a days siege of the state capitol building by Sherin Mester on warrants charging enbezzlement and conspiracy, while Small was state treasurer The gov- ernor did not indicate today whether he would accept MT Mortimer's offer.
 Both Governor Small. and the states attorney issued statements today in ex
 plantation of their sides of the case the governor declaring that he had never evaded arrest, demanding an early trial and. assailing th6 "Sangauon county lawless ring" the Chicago Tribune and Daily News and United States Senator Medin Mccormick as well as Attorney General E. J. Brundage, who. instituted the proceedings. against him. he said
 Governor Small in his statement said !:
 The governor of, Illinois has been falsely indicted and falsely arrested through the machinations of gang holding in uLter disregard the constftu- tion and laws of this state.
 Our federal constitution guarantees to every state 8 republican form of gov ernment. A republican form, of govern nent provides for the inviolable sen. aration of the legislative, executive and | judicial branches
 Representing as do the supreme executive authority of this, great com. nlonwealth vested in me by the consti. tutfon through the people, I have at. nc time intruded upon functions of other branches: of the government clothed ir like manner with authority. 4
 T have through lawful procedure protected the executive power accordins to my oath of office with due respect tt the courts and have availed myself oi competent legal advice in so7 doing contrary to the accepted principle. of our government and at the behest Q, corrupt conspirators, the s.alithonity ], oi the people has been. prostituted- to tht
 purposes of a lawless ring. This ring
 eemprised of the most, vicious elements
 lp Sangamon county, Is aided and ,abet ted by. commercialized newspapers sucl
 as the Chicago Tpbune and Chicae,
 Daily News, Attorney General. E. J
 Brundage and United States Senate
 Medill Mccormick. :.
 T desire to say I have, never evade,
 arrest on the. framed-up charges in. Io,
 indictment in the many counties of thi
 state which have since visited
 have gone about the state freely in per
 formance of my duties subject to tn
 apprehension of any. sheriff or othe
 officer in any one of such counties Tn
 sherln of Sangsmon county was. closel
 adYlsed of my movements and coul have ordered my a rest in inv count where happened. to Ffe.s if he so 9s sired No moiestation has been a4
 tempted, except in gaFig-ruled Sanaa mon county. Here the ruffianisn1 Of '+s,, rupt politics has, threatened tfies orle, ly. processes of, eoverrrnent Here th ring would subordinate proper lawft functions to its improper and .lawles purposes ''.e
 Notwithstanding .pretensions of de cency my enemies. maliciousiy staged, ? spectacular arrest under. circur,s rc. intended to huniliate me and fiisarsr
 the people of our state. Even .t5ous !. me sheriH stated he had no thought th; I would eyade arrest, nevertheless. tI l cap4tol or the state was besieged an
 surrounded by an army of deputit
 drawn from the slumsa of Snrinsti ai, and when I was finally arrested i1 ~ executive mansion the sheriff peremnto :. fly refused to examine or accent bor s With ample surety which I presented sr ], forelbiy took me from the axecutiy . mansion and paraded me through me which had been assembled to ieer ar Il Il insult the governor. The bond wbi, q q tne sheriff rejected finally was accent, s without change. with the single ot a lection that lawful surety had been fu : nished De'ii iu # Tn the interest of the public we d tare, upon advice of my. counselor ha, l. preserved the rights of the. executi 2 branch under unlawful arrest and ha, ,r given bond under protest.
 -- Tn view of the great issue of npb, 1T policy involved in this discreditabIe .,
 unprecedented proceeding the facts
 this controversy must. be brought
 light without delay My innocence
 known to me. I assert. it with ali f positiveness of an unblenlished reco
 and clear and honest conscience T H. H. people all over this state must knew IL Daylight must be admitted to the cf 2 rupt channels through which this co pr spiracy has flown. n, All the ramifcations of protect 9 te vice and crime supplementary to [ LII prosecution must be exhibited to pub Proceedings thus far have he
 founded on untruth. The next procee ne ing must reveal the truth.' of ....-. v