Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-01

sher | have never knowingly
then until the present time. This paper is
known as Iron Ore
The Iron Ore is a weekly paper which
contains the usual local news published
In such papers in communities like Ish-
peming, and in addition specializes in min
ing news. covering not only the mining
districts of Michigan. but elsewhere
Tells of Circulation.
In October. 1912. it had a circulation
of from 900 to 1900, four -fifths of
which was confined to the county of
Marquette and the greater part of the
remainder to other towns in the upper
peninsula.
Il do not use wines or liquors my
self in any form and am an absolute
teetotaler. having strong conviction on
this subject. Neither do I use tobacco
in any form
In 1896 l was appointed commissioner
OF mineral statistics for the state of
Michigan, a position 1 had four years
covering two terms my first appointment
re-appointment by Gov. Pingree.
In 1905 | was appointed postmaster
at lShpeming by the plaintiff in this
case and held that office for twenty years,
at the end of which term l resigned. ]
have also held various positions on civic
boards In the city Of 1shpening. and
am now president of the Ishpeming Adj
vancement Association
Once Roosevelt Supporter.
Prior to 1912 I had been for many
years a strong supporter of Theodore
Roosevelt. recognising him as the great
republican leader, and had frequently
published editorials and other articles In
Iron Ore commencing him and approving
his policies. and had. therefore. assisted
all his campaigns. not only by personal
effort. but also by financial contributions.
Even in the primary campaign Of 1912 /
supported him as second choice for the
republican nominee.
Il mention these facts as indicating the
impossbility Of my harboring any feeling
Of personal malice against the plaintiff.
Some time before 1912 began to hear
statements from various sources that Mr..
Roosevelt was drinking wines and liquors
to excess. During this period l took
trip throughout the western country.
Nevada and Arizona, as we'll as the in
tervening cities.
Charges Made Repeatedly.
1.-The statements OF Mr.. RooseveIts ex-
cessive drinking were repeatedly made
in my hearing in various sections by
many persons whom ] believed to be
reputable. but Notwithstanding this I
was loath to credit them. felt that
there was a possibility that these persons
were mistaken and therefore thought
the statements probably unwarranted.
Later. during the winter of 1912, l
took a trip to Florida, passing through
Chicago and other cities en- route and
spent several weeks at Belleair and other
Florida points.
During this trip the same statements
as to Mr.. Roosevelt's habits were repeat
ed in very circumstantial way. al
though no one was able to say that he
had actually seen Mr.. Roosevelt drink to
excess or personally knew that he did 50.
During this period l also talked with
various reputable people in Ishpeming
and elsewhere than the places before
mentioned, who claimed to know the con-
ditions as they existed in Washington and
In whose statements had the utmost
confidence, both as To their reliability and
their opportunity To know the facts.
Is Finally Convinced.
During the spring of 1912 newspapers
came To me on our exchange list, various
of which contained reference TO Mr..
Roosevelt's drinking habits. l saw and
read these newspaper publications. From
the statements made in these papers
and all the information which had come
To me from other sources mentioned /
felt that could no longer doubt the truth
of the statements which had been made.
much as / regretted to believe them.
when Mr. Roosevelt was nominated
for the presidency on the national pro-
gressive ticket l opposed his election, hav-
ing been lifelong republican and believ-
ing that the success OF that party would
be- for the best interests OF the country.
In October 1912. Mr.. Roosevelt made
campaign trip through northern Michigan
and among other places spoke al Mar
quette on the 9th I was present on that
occasion and heard him speak. In the
course of his address he made what l con-
sidered a most unjust attack on our can
didate for Congress. who was one of my
lifelong friends
Then Published Statement.
This incident. together with the state
Inents which had previously come to my
knowledge confirmed me in the opinion
that Mr. Roosevelt ought not to be
elected President, and j concluded that it
was my duty. in opposition to his candi-
dacy, to publish the statements. which
| then believed To be true.
4 thereupon wrote and published the
article which Is here complained of. This
publication was intended only as blow
TO Mr. Roosevelt's candidacy for the po-
sition he then sought. In this publica-
ton / acted in entire goOu faith, believ-
ing that the facts stated were true and
believing that as a publisher | owed the
duty to my readers to make that state
ment
After this article was published. on
the 18th day of October, 1912, neither
the plaintiff nor any one in his behalf
| notified me that lie claimed the charges
| so mace were unfounded, nor did they
!. r.aoesf me 10 make any correction OF
! tue same.
| Suit Begun October 25.
On the contrary. this suit was com