The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-07-23
SMALL SAYS ACTION OF
JURY WAS TO HALT CALL
FOR meet OF ASSEMBL\ Y
Hurls Epithet of "Charac-
ter Assassins" at Brun-
dage Crowd.

Chicago, July Ex-Governor
Len Small, in his first public
speech since his Indictment last
Wednesday for embezzlement of
state funds, told several thous.
and Republicans gathered at
q William Hale Thompson pic
Ric here this afternoon, that
aggregation of great interests
has combined to defeat the will
of the people.
Referring incidentally to his
Indictment, the governor de-
clared the action OF the Sanga-
mon grand jury was intended to
frighten him into abandoning
his plan TO call Il special ses-
sion of the legislature next win
ter.
Il realize, my friends" Mr..
Small said, that for a govern
or of a state to stand up against
the great lnoneyed interests, the
cement trust, the traction bar
Ons, and stop the piundering of
the state treasury and the rob-
bing of the taxpayers, is almost
taking ones life in his own
hands.
II pledge you again today,
that as long as / am your gov
ernor, / shall serve the people
to the best of my ability, re-
gardless of persecution and in
dictnaents and l will serve you
with every particle of strength
and ability that | possess"
Reviewing the recent legisla-
tive session, the governor said,
@<the powerful interests" had de-
feated his efforts to submit the
question of lower street car
fares and better transportation
to the people of Chicago.
Chicago, July Ex-Governor
Len Small, accompanied by his
son, Leslie Small, Captain John
English and three b0dyguardS,
arrived from Springfield this
morning and Immediately went
into conference at a hotel with
Mayor William Hale ThOmp-
son and Fred Lundin. The gov
ernOr declined TO talk about in
dictments pending aginSt him.
self, Lieutenant Governor Sterl-
ing and Vernon Curtis, at
Springfield. J
Lieutenant Governor Sterling
and Ad;Gtant General Dickson
arrived on another train q few
minutes before the governor,
but said there was no cOnnec-
ton between their presence
here and that of the governor.
But, my friends, the time hs
ome in the life of this republic I
'urs, if it is to continue to be pc
'etuated as republic when | mui
ave honest state officials, repre-
entatives and senators who wi
serve the interest of tn
eople and who can not be bougk
It bribed or frightened by the bi
interests md blackmailers."
Referring again to the Chfcag
treet cur fare fight, and allege
by the rich, the COVER
or added:
VIII Call Session.
81 have given notice that l shal
all a session of the general assem-
,ly next November or December 70
he considr ration of these two grea
although l know full wei
hat my indictment last Wednesda
vas intended to frighten me an
prevent me from making that cal
n your inter, st.
The picnic today was planne
several months ago, long before III
Investigation which resulted in tn
Indictment of the governor, Lie'
Sterling and We
non Curtis, Grant Park banker.
Police firemen and city hall en-
ployes are said to have sold 1905
300 tickets for the affair. tt
park, however, accor
modates about $4,000.
Attacks BrHndage.
Attac cking Attorney Gener
request for 81 5000
for the conduct of his Office for Ii
next TWO years, the governor sa
that, after the appropriation hs
been cut by him to a little ov'
5000, 900, it still represents mo
than the attorney-ge of Pen
sylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Wiscol
sin combined will spend, and mo-
than the total appropriations Il
lCnn1innod On PAGE NineA