The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1913-06-06
COL. ROOSEVELT
GIVEN SIX CENTS
Editor Admits Inability to Prove
He was Drunk.
CASE COMES TO SUDDEN END
Plaintiff Asks Merely for Vlndlcatlon,
Not Damages, and Requests That
Mere Nominal Sum BE As
sessed.

Marquette. Mich, June 3.-Theodore
Roosevelt won his libel suit against
George A Newett. editor of the 1sh-
peming Iron Ore Saturday. Damages,
however, were only nominal-six cents
made possible by the attitude of the
colonel, who told the court he did not
seek a punitive verdict.
Judge Flanagan instructed the
jurors to bring In a verdict for the
plaintiff. which they did without leav-
ing their seats. The colonel left for
the east less than two hours after the
conclusion OF the case
AS a climax of the case which has
been on trial here a week, Mr.. Newett
himself took the witness stand and
retracted the charge he had made.
He said he had been impressed that
an injustice had been done the colonel
in the publication OF the article and
deeply regretted it.
1T is fair to the plaintiff, he said.
ito state that ] have been unable to
find In any section of the country any
individual witness who is willing to
state that he has personally seen Mr..
Roosevelt drink to excess. ! am io4cei
to the conclusion that 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
ID. Roosevelt drank to excess, but In
every case the stories .iattened out to
mare opinion or hearsay.
The libel was published in good
faith, Mr.. Newett said, in the belief
that it was true and proper informa-
ton for a public which was being
asked to vote for Mr.. Roosevelt for
president. That is was true, the de-
fen mt said he never questioned IN
I'll the libel trial opened. Until the
colonels evidence began to be pre-
sented he held full belief tLatr the
charge he had made was true.
No demand for a retraction ever
had been made upon him, Mr.. Newett
said and when the bill was filed
against him there was nothing left for
him to do but seek evidence and make
other preparations to contest the suit
Forty persons were taken by Mr..
Newett's counsel in various parts OF
the country, but to use them, or at
tempt to use then, he said. woui0 be
to continue an injustice which had al
ready become apparent to him and to
his attorneys.
Leaving the stand and returning to
his seat, Mr.. Newett looked in the
direction of Colonel Roosevelt, but
the latter was absorbed in whispering
to Attorney Van Renschoten. The
latter whispered in turn to Attorney
Pound and he turned to Judge Flanni-
gan and asid:
With the courts permission the
plaintiff would like to make brief
announcement"
The judge nodded and Mr. Roosevelt
rose. Bowling to the court. the colonel
Eaid he would waive the matter to
damages save for the nominal amount
provided by law. Speaking of his pur.
pose In instituting suit, he said:
Your honor, in view of the state
ment Of the defendant, ask the court
to instruct the jury that desire only
nominal damages.
81 did not go into this case for
money l did not go into it for any
vindictive purpose.
Il went into it, and. as the court
said, / made my reputation an issue
because | wished once for all during
my lifetime thoroughly and compre
hensively to deal with these ISLANDERS
so that never again will it be possible
for any man in good faith to repeat
them.
Il have achieved my purpose and l
am content"
Nominal damages means six cents
under the laws of Michigan and no
costs. Each party to the suit will pay
the expenses of his side of the case.