The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-11-19
EX-GOV. TAYLOR OF KENTUCKY
IN DANGER OF EXTRACTION

LOUISVILLE, KY, Nov. 19.-Sel-
dom has the governor of any state
been in such dilemma as that in
which Gov. Augustus E. Wilson of
Kentucky. will find himself after
fhe new democratic governor of
indiana, Thomas r. Marshall, takes
his seat.
Over in Indianapolis for several
years have lived in tranquility two
men badly wanted by many Ken
tuckians. The men are former Gov.
w. s. Taylor and former Secretary
of State William Finley, who are
charged with conspiracy in connec-
ton with the assassination of Sen
ator William Goebel, who was shot
down near the executive mansion
In the state capital while he was
contesting before the Legislature
Taylors election as governor.
For three successive administra-
tons in Indiana democratic govern
ors of Kentucky have demanded
the extradition of these men, but
the acquisitions were refused on
the ground that the state of feeling
in Kentucky against the fugitives
was such that the republican exec
utive of the Hoosier state did not
deem it eXpedient to turn them
over to the Kentucky authorities.
Finding safe sanctuary in Indian
apolis, the Kentuckians have pros
pered and ignored the insistent de-
mands to cross the Ohio river and
visit their former compatriots on
the other side. They felt confident
that Indiana would never have any
thing but a republican governor,
and as long as Indiana did have a
republican governor they would not
have to return to their native state.
Now that Indiana, for the first
time since the murder of Goebel,
has a democratic governorelect,
1t is more than likely that if de- |
mand is made on him for the Ken
tuckians he will surrender them if |
they are still in the state.
The question in Kentucky is:
What will Governor Wilson do?
He is a republican of the more
liberal kind, lawyer by profession
and partizan only to certain extent.
Still, he is a good republican. Soon
after he got into office he pardoned
Caleb Powers and Jim Howard.
who were convicted of completely
In the Goebel murder. Powers was
assistant secretary of state at the
time OF the killing. Howard was
sturdy mountaineer, with several
notches on his gun. and it is be-
lieyed, fired the shot that killed
Goebel, although he proved he was
not In Frankfort at the time. and
voluntarily surrendered when he
was indicted.
Powers had spent seven years in
Jail. He had been convicted three
times, once being sentenced TO
death. but each time the court of
appeals granted new trial. His
case attracted great attention
throughout the country. Appeals
were sent broadcast for funds to
assist him to obtain his liberty. He
was classed with the political mar
Tyr, and although his fight for free.
dom cost him fortune, which had
been contributed by sympathizers.
he Is supposed to have emerged
from prison with a fortune saved
from the proceeds of IA book he
wrote detailing his life and alleged
persecution, and from the contribu.
tons.
Howard was serving n life sen.
tence when pardoned. Governor
Wilson said he was convinced the
accused Was innocent, and Gov
crnor Wilson had the courage IF
his convictions. He gave them both
Their freedom Now democrats I'm
many PARTS Of the state are cIamor-
ing 70 know what he is going to
DO about Taslor and Finley. Il am
governor Of all the peohe," he said.
when he went into office. Il repre.
eont No party, no Iaclion.