Frank D. Comerford

Comerford is best remembered as the victim of expulsion from the Illinois State Senate in February 1905 for allegedly besmirching the name of the legislature when he made specific charges of corruption in that institution at a Chicago lecture.

"[3] Rather than limiting himself to a generalized statement, Comerford continued to make specific accusations of wrongdoing, including names, dates, and financial details, attempting to shield himself by calling these "stories in common circulation at the Capitol.

[2] Comerford waived the right to a delay for preparation of a defense, instead choosing to deliver an impassioned speech lasting more than an hour, in which he defended the veracity of his charges and severely criticized the investigative committee for the limitations it placed upon his testimony.

[1] In 1919, following the termination of the war, Comerford traveled to London and Paris for six months, where he examined that rapidly changing social and political situation at first hand and contributed news accounts to the Chicago Tribune.

[6] In this book Comerford characterized Soviet leader V. I. Lenin as a "practical machine politician"[7] and an "oracle-dictator"[8] and observed that legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government had been concentrated in a single set of hands, with no right of appeal.

"[10] Comerford's political views and legal expertise made him a logical choice as the special prosecutor in the 1920 case of William Bross Lloyd and members of the Communist Labor Party of America.

[1] Comerford won convictions of the defendants in that case, who included millionaire heir to the Chicago Tribune fortune William Bross Lloyd, despite the best efforts of defense attorney Clarence Darrow.