The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-03
FORMER GOVERNORS ATTITUDE
JAMES A. MOUNT STEADFAsTLY RE-
FUSED SAME REQUEST.
The GOebeIites Brought Every Pres
sure to Bear-What Ex-Governor
W. :. Taylor Has to Say.

Governor Durbin last night gave out his
decision denying the acquisitions of Gov.
Beckham, of Kentucky. for the return to
that state OF Ex-Governor William s. Tay-
lor and ex-Secretary of State Charles s.
Finley. Governor Durbin's decision was
officially the second rebuff the Goebel Dem
ocrats Of Kentucky have received from In
diana chief executives in their spectacular
efforts to get Messrs. Taylor and Finley in
their clutches. but in reality it was the
third time they have been foiled.
In the summer of 1899 Governor Mount
was visited by Kentucky delegation com
posed of Justus Goebel. Lawyer Tom"
Campbell and Sheriff suter. of Frankfort.
bearing the first requisition ever issued for
Taylor and Finley. The late Governor was
urged in intensely dramatic speeches by
both GoebeI and Campbell to grant the
acquisitions. but declined unhesitatingly
and firmly to do so. Governor Mounts
declination was conveyed to Governor
Beckham in an official communication Of
considerable length in which was given a
mastery review of the chaotic condition of
Kentucky law and politics. accompanied by
ringing declaration that never until order
came from that chaos and human life was
more safe in kentucky than at that period
should Meszrs- Taylor and Finley be placed
in jeopardy by being turned over to the
courts CT the Dark and Bloody State.
NOT BOTHERED AGAIN.
Governor Mount was never again bothered
with request for the return of the per-
secuted Kentucky Republicans. but soon
after Governor Durbin was inducted into
o1lce reports came from the capital of Ken
tucky that the GOebelites We're preparing
10 lay before the new Governor of Indiana
a formal demand for the return of Taylor
and Finley. Months passed by, however,
without reQuisitions reaching Governor
Durbin and many persons began to believe
such an attempt would not be made. But
with the approach of the second trial OF
Caleb Powers. the GOebelites, headed by At
torney Campbell. conceived the notion that
the time was favorable for asking the re-
turn Of the men against whose liberty they
had plotted so long. The idea that
Governor Durbin might be induced. through
showing that Powers was being treated
with justice, TO grant the acquisitions for
Taylor and Finley. Accordingly, Campbell
wrote a letter 70 Private Secretary Wilson
on sept. L. asking that Governor Durbin
appoint a time when the requisitons could
be heard Within few weeks after the re-
ceipt Of this letter party of kentuckians
made up OF Arthur GOebel. another brother
OF the deceased William Goebel. man
named Mills and Constable Williams, of
Frankfort. Ky. appeared at the Governor 5
office one Saturday morning and formally
presented the new acquisitions.
A dramatic speech was made by Arthur
Goeeel with view 10 inducing Governor
Durbin To agree 10 reHnquish Taylor and
Finley TO the Kentucky authorities. Mr..
Goebel insisted that the disturbed political
situation SO thoroughly understood and so
vigorously described by Governor Mount
Do longer existed and that Messrs. Taylor
and Finley would be treated with the ut
most fairness If they should return 20 Ken
lucky Mr. Goebel was asked number of
pointed questions by Governor Durbin, who
showed that he had as clear an insight into
kentucky affairs as was possessed by his
di-tlnsuished predecessor. Although the
parties TO that conference declined TO dis
cuss 10 freely. IL was understood that Gov
eruor Durbiu was far from satisfied with
the answers given by Dir. Goebel TO his
taterr0ga tories.
GRANTED A CONCESSION.
AT the close of the conference Governor
Darbin invited the gentlemen from Ken
tuckv TO return 20 his Office the following
Monday morning 10 hear his decision in the
matter. saying that he would not divulge
the decision 70 any person before that time.
On Monday morning, however. before Gov.
lJurbin could state his decision. Arthur
Goe5el requested that De defer the matter
until he had read the transcript Of evidence
in the Caleb Powers trial (the judgment in
which was reversed by the Court of Ap-
peals OF Kentucky.) Governor Durbin said
20 Mr.. GOebel that he felt that he (the
Governor was sufficiently informed as 10
the status or affairs in kentucky, but Goe-
bel made strong plea that the Governor
grant his request. out OF respect 10 the
brother OF the murdered Hentuckian. Gov.