The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1907-08-21
TAYL0R'S IMMUNITY
Guaranteed if He Will Re-
turn to Kentucky
AND TESTIFY IN POWERS CASE
Plan of Commemorative At
tOrney Sanctioned by
Gov. Beckham.

communication from Common
wealth's Attorney Robert r. Franklin,
OF the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit,
asking that Gov. Beckham lend his
official authority and power in maxi
ing the guarantee to WIS. Taylor,
now fugitive in Indiana, of immuni-
ty If he will come to Kentucky and
go on the witness stand in behalf of
CalebPowers has been received at the
State Executive Department. No def
mite step was taken by the Executive
in regard to the matter, but it was
stated by Gov. Beckham that he would
do everything in his power to make
absolute the guarantee promised by
Mr.. Franklin, the Commemorative At
torney.
There seems to be no question what
ever but what such steps can be TAX
en- by Commonwealth Attorney
Franklin and the Governor as will
give protection to Taylor should he
reconsider and indicate his willing
ness to come as a witness in the
Powers case. Mr.. Franklin's PROPOSE
ton in the matter of granting immun-
ity to Taylor was that it should be
granted him during his presence in
Kentucky for the period of time nee
essary for him to come to the Scott
Circuit Court, testify in the Powers
case, and return to his asylum in In
diana.
Further, that Taylor should, while
on the witness stand, submit himself
unreservedly to an examination and
DISCRIMINATION in open court be-
fore a jury. Mr.. Franklin, in his
letter to the Governor, expresses the
belief that such an examination of
Taylor on the witness stand, and the
grounds laid to contradict, would es-
tablish one or the other of two things,
possibly both: First, the correctness
of the contention of the State with
reference to the conspiracy which
resulted in the murder of William
Goebel; or, second, Taylor's own alb
solute unworthiness of belief.
The attorney adds that much of the
proof against Taylor in connection
with the assassination has never been
adduced at any of the trials had in
these cases. Mr.. Franklin further
says that 1t seems to him that 80
solemn, and, in common honesty, so
binding a pledge of Kentucky's hon
or" made by the Governor, fought to
satisfy and quiet any doubts or fears
for his safety that even Taylor or any
of his friends or sympathizers at HON
or abroad may pretend to entertain"
In his letter to the Governor, Com
monwealth's Attorney Franklin copies
one which he received from Arthur
Goebel, of Covington, brother OF the
late William Goebel, Immediately fol-
lowing his, Franklin's, offer of I'M
munity to w. s. Taylor. Mr.. Goebel
approves the proffer to Taylor. He
declares that the members OF William
Goebel's family have never desired
any man innocent of his assassination
given any sort of punishment, and
want only justice done in these cases.
He says that the thousands of friends
of William Goebel will appreciate that
the sole purpose Of this proffer of the
Commemorative Attorney is to af-
ford the "thrice convicted Powers
any and every possible means he
might ask or desire to defend him
self" He declares, in closing his
letter to the Commonwealth Attor-
ney, that Taylor shall yet be dragged
from his Indiana refuge to the bar
of trial in Kentucky"