Southwest Washington labor press. [volume] (Hoquiam, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1924-12-12
SMALL'S FOES PLAN TO
GUST HIM IN COURT
By JOSEPH A. WISE

CHlCACO. Dec. ll.-Ine cOn6plf-
acy of reactionary forces in Illinois
to prevent Len Small from serving
another term as Governor of this
State assumes different aspects al
most daily.
The conspirators now have it all
figured out based on the opinion of
nationally known lawyer" that the
whole matter can be decided without
giving the Legislature a voice in the
decision. They are now relying on a
favorable decision by Judge Frank
Burton of the District Court at
Springfield, after which they will
carry the matter to the State Supreme
Court, where they seem to be GER
tain they can obtain an custer against
the Governor, which would avoid
the necessity of seeking impeachment
proceedings of the Legislature.
Sterling Picked As Next Victim
If the conspirators are successful
in ousting Governor Small, then the
next step will be to GUST Lieutenant
Governor Fred Sterling in the same
manner, which will leave the way
open for Senator James J. Barbour,
Republican, of Evanston, whom it is
intended to elect as president pro
tempore of the Senate, to become
Governor of the State.
It being a bipartisan conspiracy,
the Democratic end of the swag will
be that John P. Devine is to be elect
ed speaker of the House. Devine was
Democratic floor leader of the House
during the 1923 session of the Legis-
lature and has a bad labor record,
being an opponent of the woman's
eight-hour bill.
Bosses Engineer Big Conspiracy
This gigantic conspiracy is being
engineered by George E. Brennan,
the notorious Democratic boss, and
Edward J. Brundage, the equally no.
torious reactionary Republican pol
itican. Brennan has succeeded in
wrecking the Democratic party in IL
linois and Brundage has been repudi-
ated by the voters of his own party
Not only has Brennan wrecked his
party in Illinois, but through his pig
headedness he has been of great as
sistance in wrecking it nationally.
Senator James J. Barbour, Repub-
lican, whom George E. Brennan has
agreed to assist in placing in the
Governors chair despite the mandate
Of the electors Of the state, is one of
the most reactionary legislators who
ever sat in the Senate chamber at
Springfield. He voted for the State
constabuIary bill in each of the last
three sessions, and undoubtedly can be
depended on to line up with the pro-
ponents of that measure, who intend
to make another try for it at the
next session, which convenes the first
week in January.
Barbour Fought Eight-HOur Bill
Senator Barbour voted against the
woman's eight-hour bill in the 1917
session, and was present but did not
vote on this bill in the session of 1921.
He was in opposition to this measure
during the 1928 session and made a
desperate attempt to emasculate it
by amendment to make it worthless.
His record on other labor and pro-
gressive measures is equally bad. His
name is anathema throughout the
State on that account, but he is the
fair-haired boy of crooked big bust
ness, which fact makes him accept
able to Brennan and Brundage.
The charge against Governor Small
is that he withheld large sums of in
terest money due the State while he
was State treasurer from 1917 to 1919.
Attorney General Brundage brought
criminal action against Small on
this charge prior to the primary cleo
ton last April. The Governor was
acquitted and triumphantly renomi-
mated by the Republican party, while
Brundage went down to defeat.
SmaIl's Friends Declare Confidence
Governor Small's friends are conf
dent that Brennan and Brundage will
not be successful in carrying their ne
fariOus scheme to a successful issue.
OF course it is clearly understood by
everybody that Brennan and Brun-
dage are merely acting as the agents
of "the fellows who put up the dough"
for campaign purposes.
Governor Small ran for reelection
on a platform almost identical with
that of the La Toilette platform and
had the united support of organized
labor throughout Illinois.