The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1908-06-19
CALEB POWERS and JAMES HOWARD
FREED after 5 YEARS Confinement
delight within him was apparent.
GOVERNORS LONG TASK.


spare time to the consideration of the
Powers and Howard pardon applica-
tons.
1t was no easy task TO read the tre-
mendous volume of testimony which
the records contained in these two ia
nous cases. Night after night the
Governor sat up until the wee sma'
hours going over the testimony and
often doing without his meals in order
that no time might be lost in its con-
sidera,ion.
Friday morning he repaired to the
executive mansion and left word that
he could see no visitors and that he
was not to be disturbed except by inn
portant affairs of State.
BROTHERS CHIEF WORK.
The brothers of William Goebel, de-
votedly attached 10 his memory, made
it the chief end of their lives 10 pun
ish The criminal and in that have The
sympathy of every good man and wo-
man. sfb
Selfish politicians in turn put the
feeling against the crime 10 base uses
for personal ends, and the whole State
was divided into two camps, with
neighbor against neighbor, in frenzy
while all the world marveled at Che
~, no w
spent and che people, worn out with
the struggle, registered their decree
that these cases should no longer be
the football of politics, but should be
considered like other cases not politi-
cally but on. the merits, without pas
sion hate' abuse oriprejudice and The
people gave their trust and confidence
TO my promise to consider them just
like Other cases on the law and the
facts without fear or favor, and
promised that my mission was one OF
peace and good will and an end tc
strife and hate.
HAS NO REGRET.
81 have done all that Strength
has been given me TO do to consider
the cases regardless of my personal
wishes, sympathy or first impress
sions and wholly in the light of truth
and right and while no one could be
glad TO have such responsibility
placed upon him. neither seek to
avoid criticism nor win praise in max
ing my decision.
81 carry no burden of regret that tn
duty has fallen to my lot, but l am
reverently thankful that 1t has come
to pass that should be the instrument
of justice and mercy as God has given
me to see my duty and know the right
and my faith is unfailing that He, in
whom | have trusted 10 lead us to q
right and just decision has also re-
vealed the truth to all that good may
come of it peace from strife and con-
tention good will and neighborly feel.
ing and an end to these troubles.
READ ALL TESTIMONY.
81 have, with patient work and care
read studied and considered the thou.
sands of pages of the testimony of the
great number of witnesses in these
trials. 1t has been what may have
seemed an unreasonable time but the
vital importance of the cases and OF
the questions involved in them made
this imperative and hope this will be
a sufficient answer TO any criticism OF
the delay, for while have spent many
weeks in this work, could not hope
to act wisely or justly in deciding off.
hand or without the fullest consider.
alton; and now | have given to the
cases this work and thought acting In
the light of duty and conscience as
am able TO see il.
THE Constitution makes IL the duty
of the Governor, when granting a par
don to file with the application q
statement of the reason for his deci-
ssion. 49,, LINxlIl
RESTORES ALL RIGHTS.
After due notice to the representa-
lives of the Commonwealth and of the
accused and after full argument be.
fore me in public by both sides and
after a most patient laborious and
careful examination of all of the evil
dence In the trials, grant Caleb Pow
ers a full and unconditional pardon
for the offense with which he stands
charged and restoration to all his
rights Of citizenship, and order that he
be forthwith released from the Jail in
which he is incarcerated and in dis
charge OF my duty under the above
constitutional provision now state al
my reason for granting that he 10 be-
yond all reasonable doubt innocent Of