The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-05-23
The Taylor Spectacle.


II faithfulness to the principles and
methods of the party and obedience to or
ders from headquarters are to form the
measure of judgment it must be said that
me conduct OF Republican officials in Ken
lucky and Indiana takes tie wind cut OF
ordinary admiration. Powers. brother of
the late so-ealled Republican Secretary of
State. is charged with Taylor and others as
an accessory to the vile murder of Gov
eTnor Goebel. Being arrested at Barbours-
vile in the mountains yesterday he was
released by a Republican magistrate on
the ground that he had been pardoned Tor
his crime by ore of his alleged accomplices.
namely. Taylor. The decision Of the
United States Supreme Court con-
clusiEely settles the fact in law
that Taylor has never possessed a color of
right 70 exercise the authority or to per-
form the functions OF he gubernatorial Of
fee, since the Legislature declared the
election of Goebel and Beckham- 1t was
weeks after that constitutional action that
Taylor ~pardoned'' his associate bandit,
Powers. The conduct Of the magistrals
was in open defiance CT law and Of the
highest tribunal in the country; but il was
quite in consonance with Republican stand
ards, and practice during the past three
years Powers. enlarged by a partisan
court. has fed TO mountain fasJness
where he is being protected by the local
Taylor bandittf- II may cost bloOdshed 10
take him. but it is not likely that Cover
nor Beckham will fail 10 make the attempt
Powers is small fry and negligible COM
pared with the Republican leader. who is
widely and perhaps excusably regarded as
the originator and dominant spirit Of the
conspiracy for the assassination of Ken
tuckys legal Governor. Taylor is a refu-
gee from justice in Indiana whose Chief
I Magistrate, doubtless with a shrewd eve
/ to a Cabinet portfolio next year. has de-
termined to shelter and protect the muir
| derers Of Democratic Governor who OBJ
structed Republican control of an impOr-
tant State in a Presidential year. Taylor
( is represented as shiverIng with fear that
/ he may be kidnapped and carried home TO
face outraged justice. None of his actions
since the moment Of the murder has ap-
/ peared quite consistent with his assertions
( of innocence. Fair minded people who at
first were quite ready to give him the ben
/ EFT Of doubt, are row inclined 10 the
opinion that. but for the determination Of
the Republican party leaders 10 shield him
I from the consequences Of the shocking
crime Of which he stands accused it might
Wei be said that the rope that would hang
him was already somewhere in stock.
1t is significant Of the state CT sentiment
in the place Of his refuge that the leading
Indianapolis papers are denunciatory Of
the course Of Governor Mount. Like
CHER decent elements in American life
everywhere. they naturally deplore the
Cvii name and fame which the ayOwed pro-
lection Of alleged murderers will certainly
give their Commonwealth. II is. indeed.
d Iamentable condition Of affairs when the
extIadition system Of the country is To be
overturned. and three States OF the Union.
at least opened as safe hiding places for
criminals Of all grades. For il is not 10 be
expected that if the Governors Of Indiana
y and New York refuse 70 honor the re1uisi-
I lions of the Governor Of Kentucky for the
rendition Of nJrrderers. the last named VIII
feel justiied in hOnorng theirs for any
body. The natural result Will be to
make Indiana Botany Bay for Kentuck-
ians who may violate the law. and to make
Kentucky a pleasant resort for New York
and Indiana rascals Of every description.
In view OF these conditions. we feel safe
in predicting that Taylor will not remain
longer in HoosierdOm than his party su-
/ periors can arrange safe hiding place for
him out Of the country. The effect Of his
I
be disastrous to Republican hopes for In
diana in November. Il is altogether prob
able that he VIII shortly be heard from in
New York ION his way TO Washington or
in other words. On his way 10 some foreign
country. whittier he may journey on a Gov
eminent transport under an assumed name
He would be able to reach the protection
of Governor Roosevelt merely by obtaining
a safe conduct from Governor Nash of Ohio
That would afford him a continuous pas
sage through territory favorable to the
assassination Of Democratic Governors
As the ruler of Ohio is a Hanna man, it is
reasonable to assume that no conscientious
scTUples would stand in the way of Tay-
lors immunity from arrest and extradition
while passing through that State
The whole business must form pleasant
picture for President Mckinley, and law
abiding Republicans. to gaze upon It is
one which the rest OF the world coutem-
plates with a cynical and contemptuous in
terest, not at all complimentary to the
Administration and the party it represents
nor to our national character and instftu-
tions.