The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1903-07-17
GOV. BECKHAM
Replies TO and Defies his Critics
in Assassination Matters.

In response TO many requests
from over the State Gov. Beckham
has issued a statementln reference
to his position in the Breathitt
county matter, making public the
steps he has taken since the assass-
nation OF James B. Marcum and
the arrest OF Curtis Jet, charged
with the crime, TO bring the assas-
sins to justice and restore peace
and order to that community. He
also answers the critics Of Ken
lucky and other States, and says
the effort to throw odlum on the
entire State on account OF the
Breathitt county trouble is due
solely TO sectional hate and politi-
cal exigency.
The Governor goes into detail as
to the steps he has taken in the
matter, showing that in the main
his authority to act has been only
OF an advisory character, but that
this he has exercised, and Is still
exercising with the District Court
officials Of Breathitt. He says he
believes Judge Redwine to be an
honest and capable Judge, but that
he urged him before the recent
special term was held not to pre-
side in the trial OF the Jett case,
but TO transfer 1t to another county
and permit the appointment OF a
special Judge.
Following this explanation the
Governor turns his attention to the
people, who, he says, exulted IN the
death by assassination OF VIM.
Goebel, and who, he adds, would
rejoice to see murder every day In
Breathltt county If 1t would make
for them political capital against
himself and the Democratic party.
He severely scores the Republican
newspapers OF the State and de-
nles the charges that have been
made with reference TO Breathitt
county pardons. He contrasts his
pardon record with that OF Gov.
Bradley, and declares that he is
willing to stand by the record he
has made.
GOV. BRCKHAM's STATEMENT.
Gov. Beckham's statement is as
follows:
"a great many letters have come
to me in the last few weeks, some
from those who are friends, some
toom those who are not, urging me
to use radical measures in dealing
with the unfortunate trouble in
Breathitt county, to declare mar
tial law and to have trials OF the
accused by court-martial, TO re-
move Judges and other officials,
and in fact to do most anything for
which there is absolutely no war.
rant OF law 10 do upon the part OF
the executive. A number OF news
papers in the State, some kindly in
their feelings towards me, Others
most hostile and bitter, have come
out In heavy editorials and said III
was up to the Governor TO do some
thing to put a stop to this lawless'
ness aud crime. None OF them
however, with one honorable ex
: ception, ever suggested in their in
finite wisdom a plan to the Govern
or us to what he should do. AL
! seemed to hint at a declaration o
martial law. | have been left IL
. |
the dark by these sagacious critics
with their various feelings ant
purposes, as TO whether 1t was bes
for mo TO consume this lawlessnesi
with fiery rhetoric and noisy pro
nounciamentos, or to throw to thu
winds the Constitution of the Stat,
and to boldly enter the scene o
trouble with arms and ammunition
snap my fingers at Judges, Com
monwealth's Attorneys and jurie
, and defantly proclaim that l wa
the Car OF Kentucky, and not it
, chief peace officer, who has con
!, sclentious regard for the obliga
tiors OF an oath, and who humbl,
respects the fundamental laws 0
:, his State.
THE "YELLow JoURNALs.n
i "These criticisms, friendly or uu
i friendly, have not sweryed me i
I the least from the pathway of wha
i have conceived to be my dut
and the just responsibilities of m
high office. l care not one partlcl
o for the pharisaical censure OF thes
yellow journals of the East an
North, whose mcrcenary greed fc
& q salable romance and whose pal
8 tisan hatred OF a Southern neigt
= Dor make them defame and mi
represent the great and good pei
N pie because one county OF ll9 !
Il the State has recently been til
scene OF certain crimes and viol'
tlons OF the law. 1t has become
/ fashion and fad with these p,
pers to picture in the most lurl
and sensational type a killing
Kentucky, when the slaughter
aud entire family in their localit
Is not digniiled with dozen line
"LoNG DISTANCE WARRIORS"
"The calling OF the entire N