The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1908-06-19
THE PARDON OF CALEB POWERS

Nothing in the criminal annals NJ
the country, within recent wears has
attracted anything like the attention
of Caleb Powers long struggle for his
liSerty, the frequency with which his
life haskshung in the balance and
finally the pardon which has just been
grsAed him by the governor Of Ken
lucky.
II is inevitable that the action of
Governor Wilson viii be commended
and CONDEMNED, according to the view
point and perhaps the political con-
victiOns of the critics. with quite as
much intensity of feeling as they have
spent upon the various phases of the
case up TO this time
The murder of Governor Goebel was
one Of the most cold-blooded and AT.
rocious in the history of Kentucky. or
indeed. of the whole country. Self
contained, resOlute and determined
the master of all his passions. he had
fought his way TO prominence and
command until he literally dominated
the political affairs Of the state. The
machine he had organized was one Of
the most perfect in the history Of
American politics.
But if he had strong friends. he had
implacable enemies, and when every
fair means to defeat him had failed.
they decided upon his death. His
own hands were not free from blood.
and his death by violence was looked
upon by many as the act of an aveng-
ing Nemesis.
But the fact that the governor of a
great commonwealth had been ass
assinated from ambush on the grounds
of the state capitol sent a thrill of hor-
rOr throughout the civilized world. and
from that hour the vigilance of his
friends and relatives has been sleep
less in the effort to bring his murder
ers 10 justice.
It was established that the fatal
shot was fired from a window in the
Office of the secretary of state.
although Caleb Powers himself was
known TO be absent from the city.
Evidence was produced. however. TO
connect him with the crime as access
DRY before the fact
He was arrested and lodged in Jail,
and there he has remained without
bail for more than eight years. Four
times he has been tried for his life
Three times he was found guilty, and
as often the court of appeals has re-
versed the verdict on the ground of
error. The fourth and last trial. only
a few months ago, resulted in a mis-
trial, with the jury standing ten TO
two in favor Of acquittal.
There are thousands of Goebel adj
herents in Kentucky who are chag-
rined at the turn affairs have taken.
Nothing but the blood of Caleb Pow
ers would have satisfied them. But
it is safe TO say, as Governor Wilson
. himself has said in giving the reasons
for granting a pardon, that a large
majority of the people of Kentucky
are coRinced of his innocence. The
petition presented in his behalf was
one of the largest ever gathered in
the interest of a condemned man. Ii
was signed by members of all classes
and both political parties.
The sentiment is strong that in the
absence of more direct and cOnclus
i've evidence connecting Caleb Pow
ers with the crime charged against
him, he has been punished sufficiently
by the eight long years of imprisOn
ment he has been forced to undergo
The admiration Of every one who
loves courage and fortitude has beer
challenged by the magnificent fight ne
has made with a halter about his neck
On the whole We feel sure that the
action of Governor Wilson has me-
with every general approval, and a
the same time the years which Pow
ers has spent in the shadow Of al
ignominious death will have whole
some and restraining influence upoI
partisan bitterness wherever anC
whenever the tragic story of Kentuck!
is recaHed.-Atlanta Journal
The FOOL THAT ROCKS THE