Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1913-06-06
COL. ROOSEVELT S
SUBJECT OF
Notable List of Witnesses Sum-
moned For Action Against
Michigan Publisher.

~ Ew recent actions at law have
- attracted more attention than
the libel suit Of former Presi-
dent Roosevelt against George
II Newett. publisher of a Michigan
trade journal. And rarely has more
notable list Of witnesses been sum
moned than appeared at Marquette TO
testify for Colonel Roosevelt
Among the defenders of the bull
moose leader We're James r. Garfield,
former secretary of the interior; Rob
ert Bacon, former secretary of state;
Jacob Riis. Governor Hadley of Mis-
souri,, Frank Tyree, United States Mar
shal Of the West Virginia district;
John Callan o'Loughlin, former assis,
tant secretary of state, and Truman
II. Newberry, former secretary of the
navy.
Men of all political faiths were
among the witnesses called for Colonel
Roosevelt. Cowboys and soldiers who
knew him in the west and during the
Spanish-American war volunteered to
testify in refutation of Newett's charge
that their former comrade and leader
is addicted to the excessive use of al
cohol.
DR. John y. Murphy and DIR. Arthur
Dean Bevan, who examined and at
tended Colonel Roosevelt at Mercy hos
pltal in Chicago, after he had been shot
at Milwaukee during the presidential
campaign last fall, testified for their
former patient, In dispositions taken
prior to the opening of the case they
asserted that Newett's charge was not
borne out by anything revealed during
Colonel Roosevelt's conyalescence from
the effects of the bullet wound.
On the way from New York to Mar
quette, Colonel Roosevelt let it be
known by newspaper men that he in
tended TO have his whole life barred at
the trial. if necessary. in order to prove
the falsity of Newett's charges.
How Trouble Started.
While the last campaign was at its
height Newett's publication, Iron Ore,
contained an article in which it was
asserted that Colonel Roosevelt twas
mates knew it."
The bull moose candidate, being
very busy at the time, ordered suit
fled and went on with the campaign
1t was supposed that he had forgotten
about the incident and that he would
not press the suit for $4,000 damages,
but he recently dispelled such supposi-
nv M hA p4yt hC
thing out and settle the rumors about
intoXication once and for all.
ut is time | did something" said
Colonel Roosevelt Not even YER
dict against me would spread this be-
lief about my habits any wider than
it has been spread already"
Friends of Colonel Roosevelt say the
rumor that he was addicted to alco-
holic liquors was very widely circu
lated. especially in the west, and that
many westerners got the impression
the leader of the Progressives was in
toxicated most of the time
Newett did not appear TO be greatly
disturbed when informed that he must
actually fight the case out in court
He is quoted as having said that he
could prove his charge and that he felt
confident of winning the suit.
About the time Colonel Roosevelt
reached Marquette his friends received
Il telegram from Denver Announcing
that one of Newett's representatives
was in Colorado presumably investi.
eating Colonel Roosevelt's conduct inl
Colorado during the last campaign and
trying to get evidence to be used at
the trial.
While the suit in form was directed
against Newett. its aim. according to
Colonel Roosevelt's friends, was the
thorough airing of a scandal that had
spread to all sections Of the country.
A Duty to the People.
81 regret" said one of Colonel Roose.
yelt's friends ct Marquette, that this !
trouble has arisen, but Colonel Roose- |
welt has been forced to take cognizance
of the charges against him.
ut was, in measure, his duty. He
has been a president of the United
States. He is looked up to and believed 1
in by thousands of Americans, who |
have taught their children to regard |
him as a model.
His record will be a part of Amerl |
can history, and his fame, good or bad |
is a legacy that he win leave to his
countrymen. He cannot afford to leave
it covered with mud"
In making up list of witnesses fol
the prosecution Colonel Roosevelt's at |
torneys included the names of General
Wood, who was his physician before
the Spanish-American war; Edmund
Heller, naturalist of the African hunt
ing expedition, and several other men
w hn had hean in a nnsitinn To hncnnno