The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-08-29
TAYLOR is WARY
Scouts Offer of Immunity and
Demands a Guarantee.
WOULD STAND A TRIAL
From Safe Retreat in Indiana, Outlaw.
ed Kentucky Governor Dictates
Conditions on Which He
Will Return to State.

William S. Taylor, formerly govern.
or Of Kentucky, whose eXtGadition has
been sought by the authorities Of that
state since the assassination OF Gov.
ernor William Goebe1 seven years
ago gave out q statement ut Indian
apolis, Indiana, Friday night, which
ne said is the first public statement
he has made since leaving his native
state.
He first dissects the promises OF
inlmunity, said to have been offered
him recently should ne testify in the
Caleb Powers case and then says to
The Kentucky authorities that he is
willing to return to his hcma state
and stand trial on the charge against
himself if granted certain guarantees.
The statement says:
"For more than seven years I have
borne in silence the slanHSr and per-
secutions Of those who robbed me OF
what heaven knows WIS my own and
who, to conceal that crime against lib
erty and for no other reason, indict-
ed and drove me into exile. l trust
an indulgFnt public will permit me
SOW to break that silence.
"Commonwealth's Attorney Franklin
OF Kentucky knows that l have fully
testified in the Powers case by depo-
sition. This testimony is part OF
yhe record Of the case, and IS acce2si-
ole to him. He knows, too, that he
had a right to cross-examine me at
the time I gave it and cid not do so.
He knows that neither he nor any
other officer or combination OF officers
In Kentucky has the legal right to
Grant such immunity and that were
I to return under such promises o:
immunity I would be arrested, denied
bail and, like Mr. Powers, be subjected
TO nothing less than mock trial by
a partisan court, before packed par
1isan court with g 100000 corruption
fund as a powerful INCENTIVE to con-
yiction. The law is clear that Mr..
, Franklin or any other officer has no
power to promise immunity.
"But inasmuch as Mr.. Franklin
abounds in propositions and premises
and seems enamored Of the idea that
he can do things, will say this:
.If he will in some way provide
an absolute guaranty-not merely
promise-a guaranty that will inspire
confidence among sensible, level-head'
I'D honest men-a guaranty the spirit
OF watch may not be VIOLATED though
the letter be observed, that I will be
given q fair and impartial trail I will
gladly return to Kentucky and sub
! nit 70 trial.
In other words If Mr.. Franklin will
cause what remains Of the one hun
dred thousand dollar corruption fund
TO be returned to the treasury OF Ken
lucky. no Part cf it to be used IN
She prosecution; will guarantee trat
all trial jurors in my case shall be
composed Of six upright democrats
and a like number of upright repub-
iicans; will guarantee that hail will
be granted me within the limits OF
100000; will dismiss the indictments
against all parties used as prosecuting
witnesses except myself, and, lastly,
will, in advance, by mutual agree
ment, select an impartial jury judge
to try NY case, l will, without any
promise of immunity. voluntarily re-
Surn to Kentucky not only to testify
In the Powers case, but to submit my
self to trial"