The Washington times., 1904-11-20

TO yield 10 him who compass ID tie muir
der Of an innocent woman It may be
that in the not remote future, in the
face Of some ambitious participator in
the prosecution OF Caleb Powers a sim
liar retort viii be flung"
Scene at the Trial.
It had become known that Powers
would speak in his own behalf at the
conclusion of the trial, and the court
room was thronged. In spite OF the ex-
cessive heat the audience kung on his
every word, and lost no part OF the
speech which, commencing one evening
lasted through ut the following day. His
youth and eloquence won for him the
sympathy and belief OF the spectators,
ana the pathos OF his closing words left
scarcely a dry eye In the room; many
Of the jurors were in tears when he
concluded.
Notwithstanding the impression he
made on the jury. after a deliberation
lasting over night and until the middle
Of the next day, they brought in a YER
diet OF guilty and recommended the
death penalty. The case has been ap-
pealed and Will probably be bro. ght be-
fore the Supreme Court Of the United
States.
Ii is thought unlikely that any verdict
bat acquittal will be secured Ia the high
est court. The testimony was shattered
BY Powers in his masterful argument.
The speech is as strong a plea OF a man
defending his own nfe as can be found
in modern criminal proceedings.
In justification Of his determination
20 speak In his own behalf Powers told
the jury that he was exercising the
privilege Vouchsafed 10 every person in
the commonwealth accused OF crime be-
cause he felt that he had not received
Justice az the hands OF his country
men. That for more than three long
years he had been forced 10 lie IN the
lails or the State, classed as q criTni-
nal. branded as a murderer. and de-
nounced as an assassin. Continuing, he
said:
Facing Powerful Enemies.
Il have borne in silence and with what
fortitude I could. these grave charges.
together with two adverse verdicts at
the hands OF my feIlow-countrymen I
now feel that I owe IL 10 myself 10 be
heard. over three years ago / was
torn from a high official position. 70
which / had been elevated by the peo-
pie Of this great Commonwealth; thro yyn
into jail and charged with the commits
sion OF an atrOcious and cowardly
crime. The Legislature OF our State, In
the excitement Of the hour, and actuat-
ed by motives OF hatred and revenge.
appropriated $4,000 or the people'g
money with which 10 proseeuate me
$4,000 or which sum was set aside for
the investigation OF clues: in other
words. that amount was to be paid TO
detectives 70 furnish the needed proof
IN addition 10 that. a large sum was
offered and hung up as a tempting NOR
sci Tor my conviction. right or wrong
with such inducements as these. and
under All circumstances and surround
lngs In this case. Is II any wonder that
Weavers have wandered from the dis
tant peaks OF Colorado 10 get their
Shiny hands into that hlthy sum? Is
II any wonder that perjured scoundreIs
OF the brand or Noaks and Anderson
found their way 10 the witness stand
during my trials. and swore TO prepared
and Infamous fal3ehOods against meY
is IL any wonder shat weak and base
humanity Of the character OF Golden
and Culton began 10 swear. and con-
tinue 10 swear, for immunity?
lis il any wonder that the assassin
hearted Cecil. after having wandered
this weary world around from Ken
lucky 10 Kansas. from Kansas TO Cali
fornia. from California 10 Kansas. and
from kansas back TO Kentucky, should
finally hnd his way 10 the home OF the
prosecuting attorney In this ease; there
given a comfortable nights lodging
par mobile fratrem;' from there be taken
before the grand jury the following