The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-08-29
Taylor Tries Kentucky Lure.

Taylor Tries Kentucky Lure.
William. S Taylor, who was gov
ernor of Kentucky the time of the
assassination of Gov.-Elect William
Goebel seven years ago, offers to re-
turn to Kentucky as witness in the
Powers case if given certain guar
antees
Political feeling ran so high in
Kentucky after Goebers murder that
Taylor, who was Republican,
sought refuge in Indiana Immediately
after his term of office expired.
He was accused Of having part IN
the conspiracy to murder Goebel and
indicted. Successfully the Republi-
can governors of Indiana have al
ways refused to grant requisition
warrants which the Democratic au-
thorities made upon them for his ar
rest
Caleb Powers, who was secretary
OF state of Kentucky at the time, has
been tried and sentenced to- be hang
ed for tn murder of Goebel Each
time the higher courts have granted
him a new trial He is soon to be
placed on trial a fourth time. Tay-
lor's presence is wanted as a witness.
1t was to secure his attendance that
the Kentucky authorities recently Of
fered him immunity from arrest
Friday Taylor replied in signed
statement, which he says is the first
public statement he has made since
leaving his native state. He saws:
For more than seven years ] have
borne in silence the SANDERS and per-
secutions of those who robbed me of
what heaven knows was my own, and
who, to conceal that crime against
liberty, and for no other reason, in
dicted and drove me into exile. /
trust an indulgent public will permit
me now to break that silence.
Commonwealth Attorney Robert
B. Franklin knows that | fully testi-
fed in the Powers case by deposition.
This testimony is part of the record
of the case and is accessible TO him
at all times. He knows, too, that he
had right TO cross examine me at
the time | gave it, and did not do SO.
He knows that neither he nor any
other officer or combination of Off
GERS in Kentucky has the legal power
to grant immunity, and that were |
to return under such promise of inn
munity ! would at once be arrested,
denied bail, and, like Powers, be sub
jected to nothing less than mock
trial by a partisan court, before a
packed partisan jury, and with a
100000 corruption fund as power
full incentive to conviction. The la "
is clear that Mr.. Franklin or any
other officer, has no power to prom
Use immunity.
But, inasmuch as Mr. FRANKLIN,
abounds in propositions and prom
ses. 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 a
promise guaranty that will inspire
confidence among sensible, level
headed, honest men-a guaranty, TIL,
spirit of which may not be violated
though the letter be observed-that
l will be given fair and impartial
trial. will gladly return to Ken
lucky and submit to trial
an other words, if Mr. Franklin
will cause what remains of the $780,
600 corruption fund to be returned
to the treasury of Kenucky, no part
of if 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
case shall be composed of six up
right Democrats and a lik. number
of upright Republicans; will guaran-
tee that bail will be granted me with
in the limits of 100000; will dismis.
the indictments against all parties
used as prosecuting witnesses except
myself, leaving them free to testify
without fear, coercion, or restraint;
and, last, but by no means least, viii
in advance, by mutual agreement
select an able. upright, and impartial
Judge to try my case, will, without
any promise of immunity, voluntarily
and gladly, return to Kentucky, moi
only to testify in the Powers case
but to submit myself TO trial before {
i,rv ri my native cfafeo