Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-05-25
TAYLoR's CASE IS LOST.
United States Supreme Court Decides
1t Has No Jurisdiction in Ken
tucky's Governorship Contest.


Washington, May 22.-The United
States supreme court Monday decided
the Kentucky governorship case in IA
vor of Gov. Beckham, dismissing |
the writ of error from the Kentucky |
court of appeals. The opinion was
handed down by Chief Justice Fuller,
and vigorous dissenting opinion was
delivered by Justice Harlan. Justices
Brewer, Brown and McKenna also dis
sented from portions of the opinion.
The opinion was handed down by
Chief Justice Fuller and the case was
dismissed for want of jurisdiction. He
said the court should be the last to
overstep the bounds limiting its own
jurisdiction and that the determina-
tion of cases of this character, con-
tests for state office, must necessarily
be settled by the political branch Of
the government. That branch had
acted in the Kentucky case when the
general assembly took Jurisdiction.
There. was no appeal from the as
sembly's decision, which was favor
able to Goebel and Beckham, except
to the tribunal of the people, which
tribunal, the chief justice said. was al
ways in session. He also said the case
was purely state case-that Ken
lucky was in full possession of its fac
alties as n member of the union, and
that there was no emergency at this
time calling for interference.
After reviewing the facts in the case
Chief Justice Fuller said:
ut is obviously essential to the inde-
V.Aw, 10 Al
and tranquility that their power to pre-
scribe the qualifications of their own Off
GERS, the tenure of their offices, the manner
Of their election and the grounds on which
the tribunals before which and the mode
IN which such elections may be contested
should be exclusive and free from external
interference except so far plainly pro-
vided by the constitution of the United
States, and where controversies over the
election of state officers have reached the
state courts in the manner provided and
have been determined in accordance with
state constitutions and laws the cases
must be rare in which the interference of
this court can be properly invoked"
After the chief justice had con-
cluded, Justices McKenna, Brewer
and Harlan read opinions dissenting
from the opinion of the court, Justice
Harlan entirely, and the others on
certain points.
Unusual interest was manifested in
the dissenting opinion by Justice Har-
Ian, because he comes from the state in
terested, and. more particularly, he APP
parently did not hesitate to go into the
merits of the case, and TO allow it to be-
come evident that in his opinion Tay.
lor had been fairly elected, and that
the Legislature had so far gone outside
| of right and justice as to justify radical
| action by the supreme court of the
| United States.
Louisville, KY, May CIV. S. Taylor
| fled from Kentucky Monday afternoon.
He left Louisville shortly after the
| decision was announced, knowing that
| his arrest was certain to follow as soon
as Judge Cantrill could convene court
and order the issuance of bench war
rant. Mr.. Taylor crossed the river to
Jeffersonville, eluding the detectives
| who dogged his steps. There he took
the fast train for Indianapolis, leaving
Louisville at four p. m. Detectives
| watched this train at both stations in
Louisville.
Mr.. Taylor will be safe from arrest
in Indiana so long as Gov. Mount per.
sists in refusing to recognize Gov.
Beckham's acquisitions. Gov. Beck
ham is certain to issue requisition
for Mr.. Taylor, and it is believed here
that Gov. Mount will refuse to honor
it. In fact, it is openly stated that
Mr.. Taylor received assurances that
he would be safe in indianapolis.
Gov. Taylor was in Louisville when
l.. I .
preme court was received. He at once
| bowed to the decision and sent a tele-
| gram to Adjt. Gen. Collier at Frank
fort relieving him from duty and or
dering him to disband the militia,
which had been in possession of the
statehouse since the assassination of
William Goebel. Col. Collier promptly
| issued orders to the militia and the
evacuation at once began.
Frankfort, KY, May 22.-The fire
bells were rung and wild demonstra-
tions followed on the streets on the
| part of the democrats when the news
of the decision from Washington came.
The decision of the United States
supreme court in favor of Gov. Beckham
means that there will be the hottest
election in Kentucky for governor
next November that ever was known in
| the commonwealth. Beckham as lieu
tenant governor became the chief en-
ecutive on the death of Gov. Goebel
February and under the law can
serve only until the election of his
successor at the next election.
indianapolis, Ind, May 22.-Charles
S. Finley, former secretary of state
of the state of Kentucky, was under
arrest and detained at police head.
quarters for about two hours Monday
| night, and was then released on Gov.
Mounts refusal to honor a requisition
from Gov. Beckham for his return to
Kentucky for trial. Finley was ar
rested on "A charge of completely in a
| plot to murder William Goebel.
The reGuisition papers We're issued
by Gov. Beckham. of Kentucky, i'm
mediately upon the receipt of the
i L.. "a. Il