The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1913-06-06
ROOSEVELT HAPPY
Drinks Large Quantities Of MIX
While in Chicago.


Asks Court to Instruct Jury to Assess
Only "NominaP' Amount - Each
Pays His Own costs-Judge in
Charge Says Colonel Proved His
Own Temperance.
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt cele-
brated his victory in the Newett
libel case while in Chicago by quaff-
ing large bumpers of milk as he wait
ed until it was time to take train
which was to carry him to his eastern
home from the trial at Marquette,
Mich. He was in his jolliest mood
when he reached the city and equally
happy when he left it.
Colonel Roosevelt won his libel suit
against George A. Newett, who charg.
ed the colonel with drunkenness and
having waived damages after the de-.
PENDANT had uttered retraction, the
jury awarded the nominal damages Of
6 cents, provided in such cases by
the law of Michigan. Each party to
IhO oulI VIII AoVO W pay hlo OWA ca
penses.
Judge Flanagan instructed the
jury to bring in a verdict for the
plaintiff, which they did without leav-
ing their seats. The colonel left for
Chicago and the east less than two
hours after the conclusion of the
case.
The climax of the case came like
the conclusion of a powerful drama
When the afternoon session began ru-
mors were flying that the suit would
be terminated. Attorney Van Ben
schoten for the plaintiff resumed the
reading of dispositions.
Newett Takes the Stand.
"The plaintiff rests" remarked At
torney James H. Pound.
"The defense will call Mr.. Newett,"
announced Attorney Belden, and
rudy checked man, whose color did
not disguise the fact that he is suf-
fering from a serious illness, took the
chair. In his hand he carried
manuscript.
ct is fair to the plaintiff to state
that I have been unable to find in
any section of the country any in
dividual witness VINO is willing to
state that he has personally seen Mr..
Roosevelt drink to excess" said the
editor.
Editor Admits Mistake.
81 am forced to the conclusion that
I was mistaken"
The statement admitted that
search of the country had been made
to investigate stories of persons who
were alleged to have knowledge that
Mr.. Roosevelt drank to excess, but
in every case the stories fiattened
out to mere opinion or hearsay.
The libel was published in good
faith, Newett said, in the belief that
1t was true and proper information
for a public which was being asked
to vote for Mr.. Roosevelt for presi-
dent. That it was true the defendant
said he never questioned until the
libel suit was begun, and believed the
assertion until the trial opened
No demand for a retraction ever
the bill was filed against him, there
was nothing left for him to do but
seek evidence and make other prep
arations to contest the suit. Forty
dispositions were taken in various
parts of the country, but to use them,
or attempt to use them, would be to
continue an injustice which had al
ready become apparent to him and
his attorneys.
Roosevelt Valves Damages.
Attorney Pound turned to Judge
Flanagan and said:
with the courts permission the
plaintiff would like to make brief
announcement"
The judge nodded, and Mr.. Roose-
welt arose. Bowling to the court, the
colonel said that he would waive the
matter Of damages save for the nom
inal amount provided by law, which
is cents. Speaking of his purpose
in instituting the suit he said:
81 wished once for all during my
life time to deal with those ISLANDERS
so that never again will it be posi-
BILE for any man in good faith to re.
peat them"
Speaking of Colonel Roosevelt as
the plaintiff, Judge Flanagan in his
charge to the jury said:
Certainly he has convinced the
court not only that he never was
drunk, but that he is now and always
has been a temperate and obstemious
man"
At the same time the. court held
that Mr.. ,Newett in publishing the
editorial was not actuated by actual