The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-12
TEXT OF THE LETTER.
Beckham Scores Durbin and Defends
CantrilI.
addressing Governor Durbin Governor

In addressing Governor Durbin Governor
PCckham says:
Frankfort KY, Nov. 9.
"Sir-Your refusal to honor the requisi-
tions some time ago sent you by me, ask
ing for the extradition of w S. Taylor and
Charles Finley fugitives from justice from
this State, charged with being accessories
TO the murder of William GOebel, was not
unexpected. but the remarkable letter with
which you accompanied the return of the
papers was indeed a surprise to me, and L
sincersIy regret the necessity OF this reply.
1t is true had been reliably informed that
you had incurred campaign obligations
which committed you TO the protection OF
these two valuable adJuncts TO your pO-
litical fortunes, and that they had been
promised immunity from arrest under reQui-
sitions from Kentucky authorities in the
event of your election as Governor This
Information has been confirmed by your
conduct and by the complete sense of pro-
lection under which these two men seem
TO have rested since your incumbency of
the Office You at least entitled to the
credit of having faithfully carried out your
reputed agreement with them. However,
in doing you have violate your oath
of Office and brought discredit on the high
position you hold. But even with this un-
derstanding of your embarrassing position,
confronted as you were on the one side by
law and justice and on the other by mis-
eraole political bargain, l could not believe
that you would so far forget the dignity
and obligations OF your office and the
courteous relations that exist among the
chief executives OF the various States
TO go out OF your way to offer a gratuitous
insult TO the people of Kentucky and 10
cast a reflection on the courts and public
officials OF the State. If these slanderOus
charges had come from you as one indi-
vidual then they would be treated with the
silent contempt they so justly deserve, but
as they come from you as the Governor of
a great State / shall not hesitate 10 hold
you up TO public scorn and show how un-
just and unfounded are the willful and in
eXcusable misrepresentation in your letter.
Passing on from showing how you have
disregarded the Constitution and law of
your country, l Will proceed to show how
you have perverted the record in the recent
trial of Caleb Powers and sought by such
action TO bring discredit on an honorable
and upright judge whose life of public
service has been unstaned by a single dis
honorable act. and whose character as a
man and as a jurist stands unimpeached
among the good people Of this State.
CANTRILL'S INSTRUCTIONS.
"You criticise the recent trial of Powers
and denounce Judge Cantrill for his in
structions TO the jury. You say in your let
ter he instructed it that it might convict
on the testimony of one alleged accompIice
II that testimony was corroborated by that
o. another alleged accOmplice; that it might
convict the defendant for the act of another
man TO which the defendant had never
agreed etc To show how untrue the state
ment is l produce from the record the eX-
act instruction Of the judge in that case on
'f,ighth-The jury cannot convict the
defendant on the testimony of an accom-
plice or OF accomplices unless the testimony
be cOrrObOrated by other evidence tending
10 connect the defendant with the commits
sion OF the Offense. and the cOrroboration
Is not sufficient il il merely shows that the
Offense was committed and the ctrcum-
stances thereof
lis this a manly way 10 attack any one?
Is il right and proper TO manufacture eVi-
dence to blacken. II possible, his character?
You insinuate, too. that the judge has been
Influenced in his trials Of these cases by his
aspirations as a candidate for the United
are not above suspicion in that respect
yourself. and the rancOrOus spirit of your
letter shows that you are making "a bid for
the support OF the fmplacables and radicals
IN your own party, with view To that end.
/ doubt the wisdom OF your policy 10 secure
such honor
There is no doubt now that the assassi-
nation OF William GOebel on the State Cap
itOl grounds was the result OF deliberate
and carefully planned conspiracy; that he
was shot from a window In the Office or
the secretary or state, not over forty feet
from the Governor 5 office. where W. S
Taylor was when the shot was fired, that
Taylor Immediately had all the entrances
10 the building guarded and forbade the
admission CT the peace officers who sought
20 enter and search for the assassin. that
Re threw every obstacle In his power in
the way OF preventing the arrest and con-
victiOn OF anyone suspected OF the crime;
tnat he issued his pardons 10 some OF those
under suspicion even before their arrest
the beneficiary Ia the death OF William