The Bourbon news., 1912-12-31
Col. franklin Resigns as State
Attorney.

Col. Robert B. Franklin. Common
Wealth's Attorney of the Fourteenth
judicial district composed OF the cOun
ties of Bourbon. Scott, Franklin and
Woodford, Friday rendered his resig-
nation as State Attorney to Governor
James B. McCreary.
Upon the receipt Of the resignation
Governor McCreary Immediately ap-
pointed Victor A Bradley, lawyer
of Scott county, his successor.
The resignation of Col Franklin
came as quite surprise to his frie nds
in this city. AZ lawyer and public
prosecutor he had few EQUALS and no
superiors. Recently he became associ-
ated with Robert c. Talhott, of this
city. in the practice of law In the
State and Federal courts and the firm
opened office in Lexington, Mr.. Tai
bolt retaining his Office in this city.
An Office is also maintained by the
firm in Frankfort. Col. Franklin was
elected as Commonwealth Attorney
in 1897. He was reelected in 1918
and again in 1909 without opposition.
During his term OF office he prosecuted
a number of murder cases among the
most notable being the alleged muir
derers of Governor William GOehel.
He distinguished himself for his fear
less prosecution in the numerous
trials of the accused. Following is a
CODY of Mr.. Franklin's letter of res
ignation:
The Hon. James B. McCreary. Gov
ernor of Kentucky. Your ExcelIency {:
For fifteen years by the favor of my
fellow citizens, as Commonwealth s
Attorney within and tor the Forteenth
Circuit Court district. ! have prose-
cuted the pleas of the commonwealth
of Kentucky. How have discharged
the duties devolving upon me as such
an officer is recorded in the courts.
Some time since, Mr.. Robert &. Tai
bott and myself associated ourselves
and established Offices at Frankfort
ard Lexington for the purpose of prac-
ticing law in important cases in our
State and Federal Courts. Our busi-
ness has grown until find 1t threatens
to interfere with prompt and proper
discharge of what in good conscience.
l deem TO be my duty as public prose-
cutor.
am unwilling to hold Office and be
embarrassed or hampered in the full
and timely performance of any of it's
functions by reason of other employ
ment or obligation. | am equally
averse to accepting from individuals
professional employment with winch
official duties may come in conflict.
All these things considered l feel
that my duty demands of me that /
give up the office, and with Mr.. Tai.
bott, devote my time and professional
effort exclusively to serving those per-
sons who have entrusted and may en-.
trust us with their affairs.
Therefore, its.is that do hereby ten
der nv resignation as Commonwealth s
Attorney of the Fourteenth Circuit
Court district of Kentucky to take
effect at once
With infinite gratitude to the people
who. through so many years have hon
ored me, and with kmany precious
memories of them and of those with
whom | nave served in official capaci
ty. Your respectful and obedient ser
want.
ROBT. B. FRANKLIN.
In accepting the resignation Uf Mr..
Franklin and appointing MIR. Bradley
Governor McCreary says:
| HON. RODorC d. raukIlE, common
wealth. Attorney for the Fourteenth
Circuit ourt district, presented his re
signation to me this morning, and
accepted it, as requested by him, t.
take effect Immediately.
AFTER his resignation, he recon-
mended the appointment of Victor A.
Bradley, OF Georgetown. and the rec
ommendation of this Commonwealth
Attorney, whU had been in office fif
teen years. was. in my opinion, worthy
of consideration.
During the most critlcal-ti tha
havefever occurred in Kentucky, aftel
the assassination of William Goebe
and those indicted for participation il
his assassination were on trial. hi
discharged his duties faithfully, fear
lessly and ably.
lin addition to this the grandfashel
and fe ther of Victor A. Bradley were
my intimate friends. and / know that
Victor A. Bradley is an able. energet
ic. efficient lawyer. well equipped tt
! fill the duties of Commonwealth At
t0rney, and. therefore. appoint him tt
fill the vacancy caused by the resigna.