The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1907-08-30
II lie Is Guaranteed a Fair
And Impartial Trial.
Asks Nom Partisan Jury and Fair
Honest Honorable Judge
to Preside.

Indianapolis, Aug. 23.-Former Gov
William s. Taylor, of Kentucky, TO-
night broke silence of seven years
duration, and gave to the world a
statement in which he offers to return
TO Kentucky and face trial on the
der of Goebel, provided a satisfactory
guaranty is given that the trial will
II be absolutely fair.
Mr.. Taylor's offer comes as a re-
torney Robert B. Franklin, inviting
him to return as witness in the
Powers case under promise of immun-
ity. 1t was made after consultation
with his friends, some of whom ad-
vised against it, urging that so long
as the Democrats held power In Ken
lucky there were no possible condi-
lions under which Mr.. Taylor's life
and liberty would be safe in that
State.
DETERMINED TO BE SET RIGHT.
The exiled man was determined how
ever, that his enemies should not be
allowed to make capital out of his
unwillingness to accept a proposition
that, to those unfamiliar with affairs
in his native State, might seem to be
fair and honorable. Realizing that the
matter is one of national interest, and
that his reputation as an innocent man
wronged by political passion and pre-
judice, is at stake, he decided TO set
tie for all time any question as 10 his
readiness to face the charges that have
been brought against him.
Now that the statement has been
issued, friends of Mr.. Taylor believe
that his position and the strength of
his cause in the public mind will be
materially advanced. The conviction
exists here among those who know
the conditions prevailing In Kentucky,
that the immunity offer was a politi-
cal move, made for use in the cam
paign now in progress in that State,
and they are convinced that Mr.. Tay-
lors attitude, as made public tonight,
will turn the proposal of Beckham and
his attorney into a boomerang, react
ing to the serious hurt of the Demo-
cratic State ticket.
MIR. TAYLOR'S STATEMENT.
Mr.. Taylor says in his statement:
For more than seven years | have
borne in silence the ISLANDERS and per-
secutions of those who robbed me of
what heaven knows was my own, and
who,to conceal that crime against lib
.erty, and for no other reason, indict-
ed and drove me into exile. | trust
an indulgent public will permit me
now to break that silence.
Commonwealth Attorney Robert b.
Franklin knows that | have fully testi-
fled in the Powers case by deposition.
This testimony is part of the record
at all times. He knows, too, that he
had a right to cross-examine me at
the time l gave it, and did not do so.
"He knows that neither he nor any
Olutl OlllCcl vi Va OiAiSSiE
in Kentucky has the legal power to
grant such immunity, and that were |
to return under such promise Of i'm
munity l would at once be arrested,
denied bail and, like Mr.. Powers, be
subjected TO nothing less than a mock
trial by a partisan court, before a
packed jury and with a 100000 cor
ruption fund as powerful incen-
that Mr.. Franklin or any other officer
has no power to promise immunity.
4 OFFERS TO FACE TRIAL.
But, inasmuch as Mr.. Franklin
abounds in propositions and promises,
and seems enamored of the idea that
he can do things, l will say this: IL
he will in some way provide an abso-
Lutte guaranty-not merely promise
"a guaranty that will inspire conf
dence among sensible, level-headed,
55honest men--a guaranty, the spirit OF
(which will not be violated though
the letter be observed, that ! will DE
given fair and impartial trial, will
gladly return to Kentucky and submit
to trial.
In other words, If Mr.. Franklin
will cause what remains of the $780,
900 corruption fund to be returned to
the Treasury of Kentucky, no part OF
1t to be used IN these prosecutions,
thus putting my case on the same
footing as other criminal cases; will
guarantee that all trial juries In my