The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-09-02

Louisville. Ky, Sept. 1.-The assassina-
ton of William Goebel which has been
the issue in every campaign since his
death, nearly eight years ago, viii play
the same important part during the COM
ing campaign between the Republican and
Democratic parties which it has played
in the past.
That the Democrats expect to rely on
the murder of Goebel at this time was
thoroughly demonstrated during the last
week in rs literature sent out to the
voters of the State 1t viii be one Of the
chief themes of Judge S. W. Hager, the
Democratic candidate for governor.
1t is the question regarding the attitude
of Augustus Z. Wilson. the Republican
candidate, on W. S. Taylor, Caleb Powers,
jim Howard, Henry Z. Youtsey. and
others charged with procuring the death
of Goebel Mr. Wilson is asked if he
will pardon the men if he is elected gov
ernor.
Republicans for Fair Trial.
While Mr.. Wilson has been out on his
campaign through the mountains for the
last two weeks, and has not yet heard
that the G0ebel murder viii again be the
burning question of the campaign it has
been learned from his friends that his
answer will be- to guarantee a fair trial
TO Powers and Taylor in the event the
Republican ticket is elected in November.
The long silence maintained by w. 5.
Taylor since he became a fugitive from
justice seven years ago, which was broken
fer the first time by him at his Indiana
retreat the last week. has given the Re
publiCans renewed hope
Ii is said that the plight of Caleb Pow
ers and his pleadings for justice have
touched the heart of the man with whom
he fought for supremacy in the fall of 1899
and during the memorable contest which
followed and that Taylor has resolved
10 make Powers fight fO. life part of
his own, and TO that end volunteered to
return to Kentucky and testify on the
next trial and then surrender himself.
Strange. indeed, is the story of a former
governor. an exile from the State in which
he was elected governor. It is known
here that for years Taylor thought Of adj
dressing an open letter to the governor Of
Kentucky outlining a proposition on which
he WAS willing to return to his native
State and stand trial. but il was not un-
monwealth's Attorney 3. b. Franklin
that he broke his long silence.
Taylor Ready 10 Surrender.
Taylor contends in his letter that nei-
Their the commemorative attorney nor the
governor can guarantee his immunity
from arrest, and this view IS taken by
leading lawyers in both the Democratic
and Republican parties of the State. and
In order to test their sincerity in the mat
ter Taylor goes further. and not only
agrees TO come to Kentucky and testify
for Powers. but also 10 stand trial him
self under certain conditions.
He asks that he be allowed 20 give
bail IN any amount up 10 Sl0G,G9, and
that all indictments now pending against1
the principal Commonwealth witnesses be
filed away in order that the indictments
cannot be held over them and cause them
10 perjure themselves. as they did in the
trials of Powers. Howard, and Youtsey.
While all Of the discussion is going on
between Tayl6r on the one hand and the
Kentucky State officials on the other. the
one who suffers the most from the delay
is Caleb Powers Although Powers has
had three trials before Scott Bourbon,
and WoOdfOTd county juries, it has been
four years since his last trial, he having
faced an annual trial during the first
three years Of his confinement.
Eight years ago Taylor Powers. YOut-
sey, and Charles l. Finley were engaged
in the hottest political campaign ever
waged between the Democrats and Re
publicans in the State for supremacy.
Victory for Republicans.
When the polls close on the night of
the election in November, 1899. a victory
was proclaimed by them by a majority of
several thousands votes. and few days
later they were declared elected by the
State election commission. This decision
was taken as final by Senator GoebeI and
the other Democratic opponents, and on
January /. 1900 Taylor. Powers, and their
associates received the certificates of
Office to which they were elected, and took
up the reins Of government at Frank
fort. This was followed by the memora-
y bic contest waged before the Legislature
by the Democrats. which came to
climax on the morning of January 50.
when Senator Goebel was shot from the
window Of the Office of secretary of state
as he was on his way to the capitol This
shooting resulted in close Of the con
test and G0ebel was declared the rightful
governor by the legislative committee
three days later. and took the oath Of
office just a few minutes before he
breathed his last
His death resulted in J. c. W. Beck
ham being declared the governor. and
when he leaves the Office the LIST of next
January he viii have served eight years
in the governors chair, something never
before accomplished by governor in
the State Of Kentucky While Gov.
Beckham reaped the rewards OF Goebeps
death. the men who were declared elected
TO the offices have spent eight years
of suffering and misery. Taylor and Fin
ley eXiles in the State of Indiana. where
they have received the protection of two
governors Of that State: YOutsey serving
life sentence in the penitentiaTy for his
alleged part in the assassination Of Goe-
bel, and Powers all OF the time in differ
ent jalls OF the Commonwealth. making
game though desperate fight for his
life and freedom.