The Washington times., 1913-06-01

man, and neither I nor any OF my
attorneys In willing now to mako
or continue the assertion Of an un-
Just charge against the plaintiff In
this case. We have reached the con-
clusion that to continue expressly
or impliedIy to assert that Mr..
Roosevelt drank to excess OF actually
became intoxicated. al set forth In
the article. would do him an injus-
tice.
Since In publishing the article I
acted honestly and in good faith, ]
propose at this time and thoroughout
the remainder Of the case to occupy
like position. My position through
out the Introduction OF my defense
is and viii be that In the publication.
] acted in good faith and without
malice.
Al Mr.. Newett read. Colonel Roose-
welt moved from the inconspicuouS,
week and pulled his chair up to fhe
counsel table alongside William H.
Van Benschoten, the lawyer who. came
here with him from New York He
whispered a how words IN MI. Van
Benschoten's ear and then conunued
to listen earnestly to his vfndication at
the hands Of his accuser. There was
no expression of triumph or even
pleasure on his high-colored face; moth
ing but steady earnestness and close
attention.
Colonel Is Content.
The tense silence did not lift when
Newett finished; there was none OF
that court room buzz which usually
starts when an important statement has
been finished. Everybody felt that
something was going to happen. and
held his breath. Mr.. Newett laid down
his paper and sat looking TRANQUILITY
In front of him without 50 much as
changing his position. '.s-
Your honor" said Mr.. Van Ben
schoten. rising. "the plaintiff has asked
me, In view Of what has just been said,
to ask the court for the privilege OF
making a statement"
Judge Flanagan granted 1t and the
colonel rose and said in a ringing
voice:
"In view Of the statement Of the de-
struct the jury that desire only nomi-
nal damages I did not go into this
suit for money. I did not go into 1t
with any vindictive purpose" Here he
pointed his thick forefnger at the judge
and went on: Il went into II: ana. as
ton an issue, because I wish. once for
all during my lifetime. to deal with
these ISLANDERS fully and comprehen-
sively. 50 that never again will 1t be
possible for any man, In good faith. to
repeat them. I have achieved my pur-
pose and I am content"
As he uttered the last sentence he
lifted his hand above his head and
clenched his fist.
Roosevelt Is Congratulated.
Judge Flanagan instantly ordered .
recess Of fifteen minutes and the whole
audience rose as one manor woman,
for the women were in the majority
and sursed against the barriers that
separated the counsel and principals
was trying to get near enough to the
colonel to shake his hand. or failing
that, to call out some joyful word that
he would hear.
He was in the center Of a struggling
mass that nearly tore him apart and
kept swishing and swirling about like q
ship on a billow. Emlen Roosevelt was
the first to get to him with a congratu-
lation. and the rest descended on him
like an avalanche.
We put II through. by George- the
colonel said. trying to make two hands
that was clearly needed. The reporters
finally made a flying wedge and got to
him with a brutal disregard Of the feel
inps Of the population Of the Marouette
county. and. formed around him as those
used to when they kept the
crowds of and thereby created the leg
end that he had to be helped through a
crowd.
Splendid" Says Colonel.
Judge Flanagan then instructed the
Jury to bring In a verdict for the plain
tiff. which the jurors did without leay-
ing their seats.
Colonel Roosevelt. having waived
damages after the defendant had utter
ed a retraction. the jury awarded the
nominal damages OF s cents, provided
IN such cases by the laws of Michigan.
Each party to the suit will have to pay
MS own expenses.
As soon as William II. Matthews, a |
miner. thirty-one years old, who was
foreman Of the jury. reported the yer-
.ict as directed by the court, court ad-
ourned, and Colonel Roosevelt stepped
forward and shook the hand of each
Juror. /
Il thank you. gentlemen. each one of |
rou." said the colonel 1T was splen-
l,d inst sDlapdidt,,