The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-03-13
JUROR ROOSEVELT
WAS TURNED DOWN
Not by Railroads Counsel. but by
. Side Suing Road for
Damages.
COLONEL MUCH SURPRISED
Not Likely to Have Another Chance This
Time to Serve His Country in
Jury Box.

OYSTER BAY. l.. t. March ic.-Juror
Theodore Roosevelt was turned down to-
day when after having reported for duty
on six court days at the Nassau county
court house in Mineola he was called to
serve. To the surprise OF mos. of the
court regulars who have been betting on
the matter the Colonel was cha lleng ed by
the lawyer for a boy who after losing
both legs under the wheels os a railroad
train is suing for damages. Surrogate
John J. Graham. representing the boy.
didn't even ask Col Roosevelt "A question
as to his qualifications ~ IA juror. He
merely said as the ex-President took sea-
seven in the box:
This will he a long case. Colonel. and
I'll excuse YOU"
Col Roosevelt's face expressed about
the same shade of emot ion as might be
observed in a small boy who was just
reaching ont his hend for the pie when the
nurse decided that it wouldn't agree. with
him. He has never served as juror and
after having motored the nineteen miles
between Sycamore Hill and the court
house every morning for six days he felt
badly used at being baked OF brand new
sensa ion lie hadn't caught what Surro-
gate Graham said and asked
Who was it that didn't want me
Some one ready with misinformstio
replied that it was the lawyers for the
railroad who had refused his services
why. I'd give even a railroad square
deal. he exclaimed.
When he was told later that it was the
r
sidered him an undesirable. juror he
seemed more puzzled than before.
Il don't see what counsel for the boy
had to fear. I certainly would have been
guided by the evidence. said he.
II isn't at all likely that Mr.. Roosevelt
will get another chance very soon TO sit
as the Judge OF the facts in court of law
He was told to report in court on Thursday
morning. but Justice putnam was in
formed by the lawyers for both sides in
the Carmody case that they didn't expect
TO finish before Friday and on Friday the
Colonele term of service under local
court rules will end.
As he was leaving court to take ad-
vantage Of his enforced half holiday by
trip to the Or'i,. Office. Col. Roosevelt
was asked if he had any reply to make
to the charge that while he had recently
chsracterized ed the New York direct pri-
mary law a. -one of the worst" he was one
OF those who advocated and worned for
its passage
in saw this he replied; Il stood most
strongly for the hill that Gov. Hughes
approved "a the best bill obtainable
at that time The present law is not only
a much worse law than the bill proposed
by Gov. Hughes. but so much worse that
great many good men have told me that
il would have been better to have had no
Law at all"
He said that apparently an effort was
being made TO mix up the proposed law
and the one that went int effect and that
some one was deliberately trying TO
confuse the public mind" He added,
Il want TO say this: II We had won We
would have had genuine direct pri-
mary
The Colonel was on his way once more
when a reporter halted him with the ne~ s
that a Philadelphia newspaper had dis
covered that George Washington had
never spoken directly against Il third
term.
NO" said tine Colonel. nobody who
that he limited the P9sdential Office to
two terms. As far as he went was to
say that it was a wise policy to do So
At the Outlook Office Mr.. Roosevelt had
talk with Henry l.. Stoddard. President
Duell Of the Roosevelt committee OF the
city Of New York and Alderman Morrison
his Brooklyn boomer.
On his return here tonight the Colonel
made this reply to the letter sent to him
by Congressman Philip p Campbell of
Kansas, in which Mr.. Campbell said that
an example Of the recall Of judicial de-
cisions was the appeal Of the people from
Pilates decision acqaitting Christ:
Congressman Campbelrs position is in
effect that the American people is as
unfit for self-government and as prone 10
guilty excesses as the mob which de-
manded the cruciixion OF the Saviour.
| do not think that Congressman Camp
bells comparison is in good taste, and in
any event 1t needs no discussion from me
Col, Roosevelt said that his plans for
the rest Of this week and for next week
are still uncertain. He intends to make
il possible not more than six or eight
speeches when he takes the stump. Three
OF his talks. he said, will be made some
where in the West