Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1921-08-10
BOTH SIDES WARY
AS WAR; ANTS ARE
READ TO GOVERNOR.
sHERIFF AND EXECUTIVE CAUTE.
Gus OF RIGHTS DURING Pre-.
LIMINARlES INC DENT TO
sMALL's BEING PLACED UNDER
ARREST.

formal arrest of Governor Len small
on warrants charging embezzlemcnt
Of state funds while state treasurer
and his release under bonds Of SSu,-
600, tension at the state capitol. winch
has been at high pitch, lessened today
The governor went about his duties
as the states chief executive and APP
parently there were to be few develop
ments in the case prior to the conyen-
ing of the Sagamon County court on
the first Monday in September, when
Governor Small is to appear to answer
the indictments returned against him
Governor Small submitted TO arrest
under protest at the executive man
sion after having been besieged at the
state capitol part of the day by sheriff
Henry Mestcr and a force OF deputies.
From the executive mansion he was
taken by the sheriff 10 the court house
where bonds were approved after
which he returned to the governors
home.
The final day of the maneuYering be
tween Governor Small and sherin
Mester proved to be the most exciting
ms well as the most dramatic, Of any
since the Sangamon County grand
Jury returned indictments against
Governor Small. on July %.
The Arrest in Dialogue,
The following dialogue was carried
out between the governor and sheriff
as a prelude to the serving OF war
rants and subsequent arrest:
Small-They tell me you have been
waiting down stairs | have not been
in the habit of going home for lunch
con and did not go today. If you
think you have the right to arrest
me, the responsibility is yours. /.
am not surrendering any of my
rights and | am not consenting to ar
rest, but there is no necessity of
your standing on the steps to do it. /.
You can just as well do it here as
any place.
MesteI / will not arrest you in
your Office | will wait until you
come out
Nr. Gillespie--Why not in his Of
flee?
Mester-I was told not to.
Mr. Gillespie is no differ
ence about where you arrest him, Mr..
Sheriff He is governor out of his
Office the same rs he is in office. II
you persist in the conduct YOU have
been carrying on today you are put
ting yourself in q worse position than
you would If you came and made the
arrest in a decent sort of way. The
governor is not Ony different from
anybody else, If he is subject to ar
rest he ought not to be shown any
different considerations
Mester / have tried to treat the
governor fairly. 1t isn't any pleasure
to me
Mr. Gillespie understand your at.
titudc, but if you have the warrant
here there is only one thing for you
to do if you think you have the right,
and that is to arrest him.
Mester-T understand, but am fol.
lowing my attorneys advice.
Mr. Gillespio--Is your attorney tel
ling you not to arrest him?
Mester-Not in his office. There
might be some technical point to in
terlering or arresting a man while
he is performing his duties
Mr. Gillespie-If you have the right
to arrest him, what would be the diff
ference whether you arrested him in
the office or in the corridor? II you
were with a warrant to arrest me,
you would arrest me wherever you
found me
Governor Small-There is no use
your standing all the afternoon.
am not trying to run away.
Mester--i don't suppose you are.
Mr. Gillespie-Then, why do you
have a dozen deputies posted around
the building when YOU know he is not
trying to evade arrest?
Mr. Gillespie-Why do you do that?
Wants Pledge of Submission.
Mester-The governor has never i
told me he would submit to arrest
Mr.. Gilespie--IFe has never told
you he would offer any physical re
sistance
Mestcr-I am not trying the case
! am following The orders that got |
ana IL 40 anything Official that II
am liable for, am willing to stand |
for it.
Mr. GilIespie-That's all right:
that's all there Is to do.
Mester-l have nothing against Mr.. |
MIR, Small.
Mr., Gillespie suppose you were
following directions of some one lese II
Mester-These warrants were put
into my hands to serve them
MIR. Gillespie why don't you do it?
Nester-l am going to. II
Mr. Gillespie--Here is your prison
or; why don't you arrest him?
Governor Small never told you
there would be any physical encoun-
ter; will say to You that am not