Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-23
RESIDENTS OF WASHINGTON
ASKED TO AID HIM.

An effort Is being made TO raise funds fin
Washington for the benefit Of Caleb Powers
the noted Kentucky political prisoner. who "a
appealing for financial aid to properly pre-
pare and present his defense at his forth
coming trial. Powers Is charged with be-
ing an accessory to the killing of William
Goebel at Frankfort, six years ago. when
the latter was contesting the election OF
his republican opponent, William s. Taylor
he mas mad three trials In the state courts
and one hearing before the federal court
or plea to have his case transferred to
federal Jurisdiction. It being alleged that he
could not secure an impartial trial in the
state courts
Inc point was made that although the
three trials had taken place in a county
ABOUT evenly divided in politics, not re-
publican was permitted to sit on either OF
the Juries. The federal court assumed ju-
risdiction and was preparing to proceed
with the trial when the state took an an
peal to the United States Supreme Court
The appeal was recently decided by the
Supreme Court, which upheld the conten-
ton of the state that the federal court
could not assume Jurisdiction unless the
case was brought up on a writ of error.
Justice Harlan's Opinion.
1t is claimed that while the decision of
the Supreme Court was against the conten-
ton of Powers. he was indicated I'm his
allegations Of unfairness on the part OF
the state courts, the following extract from
the decision handed down by Justice Har-
Ian being quoted in support of this view:
1T Is true that, looking alone at the case
made by the petition for removal, the
trials of the accused make an exhibition
of misconduct on the part of adminlstra-
tive officers connected with those trials
which may well shock all who love justice
and recognize the right a every human
being accused of crime to be tried accord
ing to law.
Further the case. made by the rec
ord 1t must be conceded, tends to show, IL
it does not justify, the belief that admin
istratiNe officers having connection with
the trial of the accused. had 1t in mind at
each trial to exclude from the jury. so far
as 1t was possible to do so, eVory person.
however competent, who belonged to the
same political party as the accused
1t Is said that the Kentucky Legislature
appropriated 100000 to be spent as special
fees and rewards. 5000 being paid for each
conviction growing out OF the alleged con-
spiracy. Friends of Powers point to this
fact as well as the six years of legal re-
sistance made by him to the plans Of his
political enemies as being extremely costly.
His loyal friends in Kentucky have been
heavily taxed to keep up the fight for
fair trial, and 1t is claimed that fnasmuch
az the case has now assumed national I'M
portance. an appeal to the RESIDENTS OF tne
CAPITAL city for aid would not be out or
place.
Mr. Clarence T. Norment, president OF the
Central National Bank at the solicitation
of the committee having the movement IN
charge kindly consented TO act as Gus
todian and receive the CONTRIBUTORS, "non
NAV be sent to him by mail 1t Is said thar
to all who send their names and addresses,
with their contributions, Mr.. Powers viii
send personal Acknowledgements.