The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1909-02-26

APPLICATION FOR
PARD0NOF TAYLOR
Former Executive, Charles
Finley and John L. Powers
Petition is Presented With $4,000
Signatures Asking Execu-
tive clemency

ridnt NY, rCp' 10 Vi'no'
application was filed with Gov. Will
son this afternoon for the pardon Of
former Gov. w. s. Taylor, Charles Fin
ley and john l.. Powers, charged
with conspiracy In the Murdcr Of
William Goebel. and Who for the past
eight years nave been refugees from
the Sac. Tire application was pre-
sented to the Governor by Caleb Pow
ers. DR.. F. w. Finley and ]. G. Bird.
To It was appended petition bearing
the names OF 5000 citizens of Ken
lucky, boh Republicans and Demo-
Gratis. Gov. Wilson told the visitors
that he would consider the application
in regular order OF executive business
and that he would acp upon 1t after du
notice had been given all interested
parties.
The petition accompanying the appH
cation Is as follows:
Whereas, Hon. w. s. Taylor Hon.
Charles Finley and John L. Powers
are refugees from their State and
homes FOR more than eight years,
charged with completely In a con-
spiracy to murder the late Senator
Goebel. and denied their liberty or the
right to give bail, and,
Whereas, 1t has become manifest
that no such conspiracy ever existed
but that Henry Youtsey alone was
guilty of the crime, and
Whereas, Kentucky's business and
civic interests demand the final and
immediate elimination of all the agite'
ton and luminosity growing out of the
Goebel tragedy, and,
Whereas. The matter has fortunate.
ly to a great extent, ceased 10 be
partisan or political issue, and the
whole people have, Win practical un-
animity, accepted the pardon of Pow
ers and Howard are wise and sep
in the Interest of peace and good
will among all classes of citizens. and,
Whereas, We believe that trial
of either OF these men, under the cir
cumstances would be a mockery OF jus.
tioe, and the 1t would renew the agita-
tons and animosiues which were
PARTIALLY ob.herated by the pardon OF
Powers and Howard and that no
possible good can come of usch trial
Therefore, we, your petitioners, do
most respectfully petition your Excel
lency Immediately to exercise your
provocative by granting 10 each of
these men full and free pardon, that
they may return to their respective
homes and friends and enjoy the
liberty and peace to which every free
and innocent man is entitled, and !
which has wrongfully BEEN denied |
these men for more than eight years"
Other reasons given In the petition
are:
First. Because there have been
nearly dozen trials OF men charged
with the Goebel murder in which it
was sought 10 prove conspiracy and
all of which failed, notwithstanding
the 100000 corruption fund. perjured
testimony and Tom Campbell methods
Second. Because the State has pro-
duced all the evidence possible for 1t |
to produce, tending to prove con-
spiracy and 1t could have gained moth |
ing by holding back anything 1t might
have agaist either Of these men. since
in a conspiracy the act of one of the |
conspirations is the act of all.
Third. Because these men have suf-
fered innocenly for many years. and
TO further pro'ong tine suffering and
suspense only compounds the injuries
done them and their friends.
Fourth. Because a trial in these
cases would bankrupt the defendan.s
and put tine State to a great expense
when no possible good can result from
1t.
Fufth. Because the people are tired
of these cases and want them dispos-
ed Of once for all.
Sixth. Because the State has made
and is making no effort to bring them
back to Kentucky to have them tried
Seventh. Because II would be UNI
just and inconsistent to allow the men
TO be tried for crime Of which 1t is
known they are innocent. especially
when n would bankrupt them and
work other hardshdps Just simply 10
satisfy the forms OF law.
Eighth. Because when the people
accepted the pradons of Powers and
Howard with such approved they in
dorsed the pardon of these men, H
Ninth. Because the Governor. after
having carefully examined all the
records in the Powers and Howard
cases declared there was no consci-
racy and practically said these men
were innocent
Tenth. Because If Caleb Powers
/, - r<.,,o. rIr.xna..d ore o<st er,rf NV