New-York tribune., 1912-03-05
ANXIOUS TO Be JUROR
Roosevelt Refuses To Be Ex-
Cused on First Chance to Serve.
HEARS OKLAHOMA'S FOR HIM
His Only Visitor Also Brings
Glowing Reports from Taft's
Managers District.
lRv Telegraph to The Tribune. J

oyster Bay. Long Island. March A.
When informed that his complete letter
to f. 4. Van Valkenburg had been given
out in Washington du' ing the day. ColoneI
Roosevelt called in the newspaper men
this afternoon and dictated his reply as
he paced back and forth in the library al
Sycamore Hill. He declared that he was
sure Mr. Van Valkenburg had not giver
out the letter, for he knew him TO De an
honorable man."
3. F. Harris, president of the limos
Bankers Association, was the only guess
to-day. He arrived after Mr.. RooseVei'
had returned from Nineola. Mr.. Hartls
halls from Champaign, Ill, which is 1T
the district of Chairman Mckinley OF the
Taft forces. Mr.. Harris said that Jus'
after Mr. Mckinley had issued his state
ment. which painted things in rosy colors
for the Taft forces in that district, out OF
the first one hundred men he had met on
the street he found ninety-three Of them
for Roosevelt and seven for Taft.
kilograms received by Mr. Roosevelt
to-day stated that in Oklahoma 231 dele
gates TO the state convention. on March
II. would be for him, with 137 for Tati
and &C doubtful. It was also said that
the delegation to the Chicago convention
would certainly be instructed.
Mr. Roosevelt will be a his desk in the
Office of "The Outlook" I'm New York, To-
morrow.
To Show Obedience to Court.
In the morning Mr. Roosevelt went by
automobile to Mineola and appeared before
Justice Putnam, OF the Supreme Court de-
claring he was seeking no favors I'm the
way Of an excuse from jury duty. He saiC
he considered 1t an honor and mis- duty a:
an American citizen to serve, and he would
remain on the lob as long as any Of the
rest Of the jurors. They say I am fight
Ing the courts he remarked. L want Il
show them my obedience TO the courts.
think we all should be not only willing, but
glad, 10 do our duty as American citizen:
in this respect
At tire request OF Mr.. Roosevelt who
pleaded some important engagements a.
"'The Outlook" Office tomorrow. Justice
Putnam excused him until Wednesday
morning rs q juror he will receive g q
day and his mileage from Oyster Bay III
said he had never served as juror be
fore. owing TO his almost constant service
in some public capacity during his resi-
dence here.
Asked II he did not know that nc was
exempt because Of his service as an Officer
in the militia, he said he did not know tht
law on that subject At any rate. he de
sired 70 serve. he said, and was seeking NJ
excuses. He started as a second Lieutenant
and rose t. the rank OF captain durina
three years service IN the sth Regiment
he remarked.
The appearance Of the colonel at tho
county courthouse caused somewhat Of a
furry among the other members Of the
panel who had been summoned. The hang
crs-on about the courthouse spread th'
news of his arrival and soon the courtroom
and corridors were crowded. The candl'
date found time to talk a little politics witt
Louis J. Smith. Republican county chair
man. and Charles L. Lewis. election com
missioner. Then he went into Justice Put
nam's chambers.
Justice Putnam suggested that he could
be excused because Of his extended pub!!c
service in other directions.
Roosevelt said. Il wish 70 serve Ike any
one else"
Justice Putnam intimatel that he might
be excused refore the regular term OF court
had ended.
Will Stay as Long as the Others.
NO, | will be right mere after to-mor'
row." said the colonel Il want 10 stay or
the Job 8 long as any Of tho rest OF them
He took a seat in the front line OF jurors
in court 4 little old man with stoopet
shoulders and gray Uhiskers sat next e
him and appeared TO be quite overawcd et
his nearness to greatness. The former
President rat reading a book until cogr
convened. His name WAS the first one
called, and he steppel up to the railing
brlskly with his yellow summons slip in his
hand and told the court It would be more
convenient IL he could come again OF
Wednesday
Justice Putnam promptly excused hin
until Wednesday morning, and he hurriedlS
left the courtroom and returned 10 Saga
Lea d