The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1906-01-12
INDIANA FOR EX-GOV, TAYLOR
RumOr of Another Attempt
to Have Him Returned.
Why Three Indiana Governors
Have Refused TO Deliver him
up to his Enemies.

tempt is to be made by the author
tiles of Kentucky to induce the Gov
ernor Of Indiana to grant requisi-
ton in the case of Ex-Governor Tay-
lor, of X entucky. who is charged
with completely in the killing Of
William Goebel. defeated Democrat
ic candidate for Governor of Ken
lucky, who usurped the office to
which the people of Kentucky had
elected Mr.. Taylor. The theft Of
the office through the power of the
Goebelite Legislature was high
handed robbery by methods as
shameful as they were inexcusable.
We suppose that there is not Dem
ocrat in the State Of Kentucky, out
side of the Goebel faction, WIN will
say that the acton of Goebel and his
henchmen was any thing but down
right piracy. There was no ques-
ton of the election of Taylor in spite
of an unfair and Infamous election
law designed by Goebel to give his
friends control Of the election ma
;hinery.
Following this instance of political
brigandage. probably without pre-
cedent in the United States. came the
depIorable murder of Goebel. 1t
was a monstrous crime. against
which the Indignation of every law
abiding citizen arises. Yet it must
be admitted that Goebel's methods
invited just such tragic conclusion
of his life. In politics he was I'M
principled, and his own hands were
wet with the blood of neighbor.
In a State where human life is so
cheap, Goebel's lamentable end did
not cause astonishment regardless
of the horror of it. He took the
sword and he persisted with the
sword.
After Goebel's murder naturally
came the clamor of his partisans for
blood. Gov. Taylor, then deposed,
was accused of having instituted the
killing. He fed the State and took
refuge in Indiana. An appropria-
ton of $1,000 was made by the
Goebel Legislature to prosecute the
accused persons. Observation-Disclosures
were made to induce the Governor
of Indiana then the late James A.
Mont, to consent to turn Taylor over
to Kentucky authorities. Gov.
Mont refused. as did his successor.
Gov. Durbin. and Taylor has remain
ed in this State since that time.
The Indiana Governors based their
action on the theory that it was plain
Taylor could not get a fair trial II
he should be consigned to the friends
of Goebel. To send the man back to
Kentucky meant his death with GER
tainty, either by pretended legal
process after a mock trial before a
prejudiced Judge and packed jury
or by assassination at the hands Of
some of the fierce partisans of the
dead Goebel. In the interests OF
humanity the Indiana Governors put
aside the question Of comfy between
States. They declined to deliver,
Taylor over to the raving Kentucky
wolves.
The People of Indiana supported
them in their action with respect to
the demand for the extradition Of
Taylor. Attempts by the opposition
political press and speakers to make
political capital Of it we're met with
derision. II there is one thing that
the American people are sticklers fol
it is fair play, and every man Of
common sense knew, and knows
that Taylor. innocent or guilty
would be in Kentucky as lamb in
tigers lsir. So the people Of thii
great State approved the course Of
our Governors in making Indians
q place Of refuge for an accused mar
who could not possibly have a fail
and an impartial trial for his life.
It was not question Of his guilt
The Indiana Governors did not pas
on that. But in the face Of the GER
tainty that his conviction would fol
low his return to Kentucky. guilty OF
not guilty. they refused to become
party to his death. That was al
there was to it, and we believe thai
every fair man should uphold them
The opinion is sometimes ex
pressed that Taylor showed a want
of physical bravery and moral cour
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