The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-09-16

A FLEA FoR FAIR PLAY.
SEATTLE, Sept. Is.

SEATTLE, sept. 10
To THg EpfroH: Allow me a word
Of friendly rsmonstrance with your
bright and vigilant local sta,f in be-
half OF the unfortunate man Kline
who killed Basler. Your report of
the tragedy is headed: Gold Blooded
Murder" 4 slb-heading mentions
Kline as '.the murderer" although Il
i stated In the same sentence that he
pleads self-defense. The next
morning he is mentioned as Murderer
Kline, and his killing OF Basler is
'sarels pre1neaitated." This morn
ing, again. the report of the inquest IS
headed: Murderer Kline" and il
end. with the statement that be
fully realizes the terrible crime which
he has committed.
/ am sure that in the inevitable
hurry OF making up large daily
newspaper no one pauses TO con slider
hos awfgily unjust and injurious 20
kIinc this repeat ell characterization OF
him NAV be; nay, j.. You take II for
granted that he Is guilty OF murder
the Law takes il for granted that he u
not guilty of that or any other crime.
and refuses TO consider him guilty
until 80 found, after solemn trial. by a
court and jury. II found guilty his
/ life shall be forfeited. The question OF
| his guilt or innocence j. TO be sub
mitSesl 70 "A body of men residing IN
I this county, in every part of whicn The
| Posr-INTEILlGExcE is read. Your
assumption of his guilt Is certain 10
create in the minds OF your readers a
I general prejudice against him. | need
Z not dwell on the unfairnesx OF this.
| He has q sacred right to be tried by an
{ impartial tribunal. Inron. ciouSiy
I YOU are lahoTing daily to deprive him
1 az this right, and with every means
l and prospect OF success He j. weak f.
! impfi oned, heart-hrOken, pennile-s
z m an among strangers. and the e<tab-
lished government has set its niachin-
erv in motion 10 take hrs life X he =
1 found guilty OF murder. Surely bis
( LOT j. a hard one. and Il i not fair That
7 Won shouli east the weight Of your in
fiaenee IN the scale against hinl.
/ After all. he may not be guilty.
When an the facts are brought oat and
{ s.fred and solemnly consi .etesl. Il may
I be foand that be really acted in self
1 aefense. II he cid, he !. rot glilty o.
ynur,5er. Ii may be found tazt be va
( insane when he sleR Ea-lsr. Il he was.
I he i not guilty OF murder. With IN
I sanity % aiaTulingiy rife on this eoa-i
: zsaoag tho-e in Ike circum -tance
( with Kline, there i nothing improba.
/. lie IN the SupgO1tion that re Is one o.
IT. hapiess victims. Your report
Z strongly support this suppo> ltion. lie
has evidently been for ONE time an
I i'll. balanced person. IL seems 70 me
more lust and charitable 70 regard
him a. such a victim than as eslic-
hooded murderer. II yoB are uu-
abie 10 accept the theory u either sell
defense or insanity, trust you VII
SUSPEND Judgment IN his ease and
astapt the humane presumption OF ths
law. thai be i innocent until proved
gaIliy. A great responsibility in siset
case rests apon the daily iastrnetoi
and crini0a-mo8sier of the people
You spezk with q thousand Tongues
Kline has bat and that. too, ;
very unsise one.
II the c8od-he4rtsd young gentle
men vi ho c5l est and wrlte ap YOU
local neEs Nere to witness street
fight ia xhieh some feehle, half wlftes
creature -trgggle3 for life agains
heavy Odds. aad a crowd of stronl
men were taking sides against him
and dancing On HI. pro .frzte ans
bleeding form, fhey would n tautl1
, protest against the outrage ami pa
OF their coAss 70 protect him 20 t8
limits % their strength TIE 01tEas
imagined wo8id he 70 greater TIA
that 70 which. IA their hurry 2si'
th0nghilessnsss they thrtnss vs. ar
daily sabjecring fhis pscr cre2faT
Kline.
~ | am eonsient that ff + only Easse'
{ Szrv - q rect their aftsEtfon g n
e natural e.f,cs OF their strong i4nsssliis,'
ia order - secure fair psas toT hii
? he~rasle- g0Hr AkfHrE