Sunday morning globe., 1901-12-15

the first open charge OF Dlacknall ever
alleged against the capital or its editor
The OHIO state journal admitted to its
columns a card from public official lEngi
neer Maetzel) who was being criticized by
the CAPITAL. in which the statement was
made that gentleman lRichard ] Fanning)
had informed him if he paid Elliott 500
the criticisms would cease.
promptly sued both the writer Of the
card and the STATE /0Hy90i for libel The
state J0HyNaf presumably after a thorough
investigation Of my record through lis at
torney, Hon. Geo. X Nash made overtures
for a settlement My attorney Gen.
Thomas T. Powell, demanded and secured
ample apology in the /OuylaPS editorial
column s. the costs of the case and his Zee.
refused TO name or take any sum.
This was the only open charge OF
blackmail byiunuendo which ever appeared
against myself or paper IN responsible
sheet or by responsible party Mr. Rich.
ard J Tanning was not connected with my
paper that time or at any other time.
MI flaming was not authorized TO make
any such offer Mr. Richard j. flaming at
that period and since had the honor of
being personal enemy and not on speak.
ing terms with the editor Of the capital
paper" who named price, etc
offered, during Colonel Murphy's in
cumbency as chief Of police, a standing re-
ward of $500 for the arrest Of any person
misrepresentiug the CabHai and soliciting
favors or money or values of any kind from
public or private persons for the advocacy
or silence Of the capital, and succeeded
in landing one of those unspeakable filthy
wretches who was subsequently made
quately punished in police court
The criminal, the fast, and the shady
characters of Columbus dreaded the Cabi-
fai and they had good cause; but the vir-
tuous women and the honest men Of the
city testify by letter and petition in my be-
half and demonstrate the fact that ] did
value the reputation Of others" and that
did manifest a regard for their tenderest
sensibilities"
Mr.. Koons being amply responsible
escapes criminal and civil prosecution for
his printed utterances simply because I am
a convict But no man dared when / was
peer and citizen to charge me with dis
honor No responsible newspaper and no
citizen above the rank of gutter-snipen %
could use with impunity the language here
quoted from MT Koons' pamphlet against
the CAPITAL or its editor In concluding
myremarks on this infamous charge, I most
respectfully offer your Excellency a signed
agreement that I will not ask nor accept a
pardon if after a fair investigation ] am con-
victed of ever attempting to blackmail man
or woman, or of maliciousy and falsely as
sailing the reputation of man or woman by
voice or pen. My only condition is that the
accusers shall come from cover and face me
before any committee of reputable citizens
whom your Excellency may name linclud-
ing MI Koous and colleagues and that the
same facilities be afforded me for defense
or refutation as would be accorded any citi-
zen accused of crime.
Mr. Koons in reply to my petitions and
touching the loss Of my eye at the hands of
convict Varney sympathetically says
Since his my incarceration he has been
assaulted by another prisoner and nearly
blinded by Vitrol thrown into his eyes. It
contended that the state owes him the duty
of protection and not having protected him,
the injury he has sustained through its neg
lcct should be taken into account and passed
70 his creditiu melting out his punishment.
To which contention of my friends Mr.
Koons humanely says:
'To this it may be answered that the state
does not undertake to guarantee the safety
Of prisoners, but only assumes to do the
best it can by them, leaving each one to his
own faculties in taking care of himself
Every year a great many prisoners are in
jured either by accident or assault and yet
the state never undertakes to compensate
such injuries
Mr. Koons then proceeds by innuendo to
convey the impression that the injury re.
ceived was my own fault Here is the
witty and dignified manner in which MI
Koons disposes Of the matter.
Going to the penitentary may be classed
as an extremely hazardous employment
and those who do not wish to chance il can
protect themselves by staying away. Many
prisoners have spent half a life time in pris.
on without difficulty Of any kind and Elliott
had the same chance that they had 10 avoid
trouble, but in this as in redressing his
grievances, he took his own course"
If your Excellency has been in doubt as
to the prejudice of Mr.. Koons the paragraph
just quoted will, / am sure dispel that
doubt, and your high breeding, honorable
antecedents and humane acts will give me
and my kindred the benefit of the follow
ing expose:
There was filed with Mr.. Koons and each
member Of the Honorable Board OF Pardons
a copy of pamphletin in which among other
things set forth was the manner IN which /
lost my eye. This statement was sup.
ported by the afidavits Of the prison officers
and prison foremen (citizens) acquainted
with the facts The statement in brief was
to the effect that 1 discovered a plot to
escape led by Vaney, the diamond thief,
and companions. exposed the plot and
the men were detected, through my timely
exposure. Deputy Warden Porter says in
his statement
Were il not for the timely exposure OF
Elliott the most desperate criminals ever
confined here would have escaped"
For this, as punishment, / was struck
from behind early in the morning of June
"a 1893, as ] was proceeding to work by
convict Varney The blow cut a cash in
the back Of my head requiring nine stitches
While lying ON the ground iusensible, Var
ney deliberately poured over my head and
face a bottle full of vitrol by which one eye
was entirely destroyed and the sight of the
other forever impaired Varney slipped up
behind me and used as a weapon the large
brass nozzle of the prison hose.