The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-08-02
STATUTORY
CONTEST is
TO Be HELD
Governors Friends Say
He VIII Resist Arrest
by Legal Means.

Springfield, H., Aug. 2,-Hints
that Governor Small's retaliation
to the service of warrants charg-
ing him with embezzlement and
conspiracy to defraud the state will
take the form of proceedings
against Sheriff Mester for false ar
rest. were dropped by close friends
of the governor today. When the
governor returns to Springfield
these friends say he will ignore the
existence of the warrants until
Sheritf Mester or one of his depu-
ties shows up to serve them. Then
they say the governor will strike
back with all the force at his com
mand.
Governor Small has not weaken
ed in his determination to resist
arrest, his friends say, adding,
however, that his resistance will
be statutory instead of physical.
Sangamon county authorities
have been playing waiting game
with no apparent desire to speed
the service of warrants. Sheriff
Mester, when Judge E. S. Smith
ordered the warrants served, said
he would not proceed without legal
advice.
Brundage Claim.
County authorities, backed by
Attorney General Brundage, de-
clare the governor has exhausted
all legal opposition to arrest. There
is but one thing for him to do. they
declare, and that is to submit to
the sheriff when the warrants are
ser~ed
The governors fight, they say,
must be in the courts facing the
charges returned by the Sangamon
county grand jury.
Just what action Governor Small
and his counsel contemplate has
been guarded by secrecy. The scene
which has been changing in the
last week, when the governor hur-
ried to Chicago for conferences
with attorneys and political allies,
will soon shift back to Springfield,
Governor Small indicating that he
would turn towards the capital
after his swing into Iroquois. Yer
spect hard roads.
In making his tour of road in
spection the governor is carrying
out plans made weeks ago. George
Sutton, his secretary, declared to-
day. Mr.. Sutton said that the gov
ernor planned to make the trip
about this time.
Speaking of the governors re-
turn to Springfield, Sheriff Mester
said:
He won't be here long when l
will call on him. strictly in the per-
/ formance of my duties, and l in
tend to permit no interference from
outsiders. There will be other ar
rests if anyone attempts to inter
| fere with the service of the war
rants"
The sheriff declared he had treat
| ed the governor with due consid-
Grafton for his high Office" and de-
clared he would bring this farce to
an end as soon as the governor
sets foot in Springfield.
SmalI's Appeal.
! Kankakee. Ill, Aug. 2.-United
ress)-"Up to the time 1 an
nounced my candidacy for the Re
publican nomination for governor
no person ever accused me of any
wrongdoing," Governor Small said
| today.
Attorney General Brundage, his
associates and the interests which
they represent have had open &C
cess to my Official record all dur
ing the last four years. They have
known all the time the exact
amount of monies which l had in
my custody as state treasurer. and
they know as l know that l am alb
solutely innocent of every charge
made in the indictments voted
fagainst me by the Sangamon coun-
ty grand jury.
Il appeal to the people of Illinois
! to await final decisions through the
laws of the state and then judge
as to whether / am an honest mar
or whether my political traducers
are guilty of most damnable con-
! spiracy and scheme OF persecution
to drive me from my path of duty
81 want the good people of Illi-
nois to know that the interests who
planned to rob the people of this
state of 10000 mile. or nearly
$54. 900 900. for the building of roads
are not now idle at Springfield.
Every man and woman in Illi-
nois who is forced to pay exorbi-
tant taxes upon their small homes
should realize that my demand fol
bringing to light of the hidder
billions OF dollars in this state Of
untaxed property have sent the
agents OF these interests to the cap
itol to grind out lies to besmircl
my good name.
II will invoke every power of the
state to keep at bay the corrupt
and scheming agents of those il
whose way l stand"
FIRM NC0RPORATrS