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Show BOODLIi TALK B! LEGISLATOR Arouses Indignation in Illinois. IVlembsrs Demand Investigation, Investi-gation, and Call for the Proof. Warm Time May Result From Speech Delivered Before College Students by Ono of Solons. SPRINGFIELD, III., Feb. 1. An upheaval up-heaval ln the Illinois Legislature, possibly pos-sibly rivaling the recent boodllng exposures ex-posures ln the Legislature of Missouri, may be the outcome of an address made by Representative Frank D. Comerford of Chlcngo to the students of the Illinois Illi-nois college of law recently. The General 'Assembly today appointed appoint-ed a committee of seven to investigate Mr. Comerford's charges, which are reported re-ported as specillclally alleging "that the Illinois Legislature Is a great public pub-lic auction, where special privileges are sold to the highest corporation bidders, and that, without respect to party atnl-latlons atnl-latlons the 'grafters' seem to be In the majority." For the first lime in tho history of the Legislature of Illinois in many years members of the General Assembly are armed. Threats have been made against Representative Comerford, who acknowledges that he carries a revolver in his pocket to defend himself ln an emergency. One assault has already been recorded record-ed as a consequence of the Comerford charges. James Burdette, a reporter for a Chicago paper, was knocked down Just outside the entrance of the Leland hotel by alleged friends of one of t,he accused members. He was roughly hahdled. Members of the Legislature rescued him from the assailants, who escaped arrest. Wouldn't Let Him Speak. Before the committee Mr. Comerford spoke briefly, saying he hoped the committee com-mittee would be thorough and Impartial ln the Investigation. The Speaker called Comerford to order, demanding that he conllne himself to the subject at hand. "I ask consent of the House to speak five minutes on this subject," shouted Mr. Comerford. Amid much confusion a chorus of "Noes" came from botli sides of the house. The committee refused to allow Mr. Comerford a stenographer and desired him to proceed at once with what proof he had of his charges. This he was not prepared to do, and Insisted that he be allowed to go to Chicago, get his copy of the speech and prepare his proof. "The grand Jury Is in session here," said Mr. Comerford to the newspaper men outside. "If I can't get a fair hearing before this committee I will take the matter before that body." Tho Investigation commltteo this afternoon after-noon Immediately wont into executive session. Soon afterward Reprcsentntivo Comerford was technically placed undor arrest and summoned to nppear beforo tho ccinmitloc. Mr. Comerford protested strongly against executive session, but .tho committee, com-mittee, notwithstanding, voted to cxcludo the press. Mr Comerford alco demanded that ho bo allowed a stenographer ot his own expense. ex-pense. After being in scs&lon for over two hour.-! tho investigating committee adjourned ad-journed until Monday. Mr. Comerford was finally allowed until that time to pro-pare pro-pare his case, and he Immediately left for Chicago. Mr. Comerford says he will bo prepared on Monday to eubstantiato tho one charge mude against members of the present Assembly, that affecting the alleged use of money ln a party caucus. , Newspaper Men Summoned. Tho investigation commlttco hold an Informal In-formal meeting this afternoon and decided de-cided to ascertain If possible how tho Comerford lecturo gained publicity. It being be-ing common roport that Mr Comerford brought tho matter to Springfield and gavo It out to newspaper mon hero. Thlsevenlng a number of leprcsonta-tlves leprcsonta-tlves of Chicago newspapers wero subpoenaed sub-poenaed to appear beforo tho commltteo and toll what they knew concerning tho mannor ln which Mr. Comerford's speech got Into newspaper mon's hands. When tho committee met Mr Comorford appeared and entered tho room, making tho request that he bo allowed to bo pros-ent pros-ent during tho examination of tho nows-paper nows-paper men It was refused and tho five reporters wore then called, one by one. and questioned as to how the Comerford matter was obtained. Three men questioned by the commltteo wcro unablo to answer and tho other two declined to give tho source of their Information- It la pooslblo that several of tho professors of tho law school nt which Mr. Comorford delivered tho locturo will bo subpoenaed to appoar beforo tho commlttco com-mlttco to tell ln what manner It was given publicity. |