New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-28
Never Takes WhiSkey or
Brandy, He Asserts, Unless
He Is Ordered to Do So
by His Doctors.
DISLlKES HARD LIQUORS
Doesn't Know the Taste of a
Cocktail or a Highball, and
Only Once in His Life
Has He Tried
Beer.
WHITE WINES AT MEALS
Roosevelt Tells of His Lifelong
Sobriety in $4,000 Libel Suit
Against Michigan Editor, and
Is Corroborated by Friends
and Physicians.

and Physicians.
Marquette, Mich, May 2I.-Theodore
Roosevelt, picture Of ruddy vigor and
perfect health, turned a square head
and a square jaw in the direction Of
twelve farmers, teamsters, miners and
woodsmen In court to-day and gave
his character for sobriety as not
total abstaner." but never intoxicated
in his life. His testimony and that N
others who followed corroborated such
a description Of abstemiousness.
II the sturdy looking man who spent
seven years Of his life in performing
the duties Of President Of the United
states saw anything curious in his po-
sition Of explaining 10 the twelve sim
pie tOilers Of the woods and the mines
that he was not really a drunkard, as
charged in an editorial by the defend
ant, George A. Newett. his coun:e-
nance did not betray it, nor did lis
manner.
When Mr.. Pound, his counsel. after
a brief outline Of the plaintiffs case to
the jury, called Mr.. Roosevelt to the
witness stand, the colonel. who had
been inconspicuous among several
prospective witnesses and visitors
stepped briskly forward.
Now tell the jury" instructed the
lawyer. and the client who had been
President twisted his chair to face the
jurors in their box and proceeded 20
tell them" as directed.
AT public dinners l sometimes drink
a glass Of champagne, perhaps two or
an average, I may say one glass q
champagne a month"
The witness snapped out his words
in his peculiar, distinct. choppy enun-
citation, and added after a momentary
pause. with emphasis aud I do that
in public"
Judge Rebukes Laushers.
Judge Richard c. Flanagan. presld-
ing over the court. rebuked an outburst
Of laughter.
There was a fine bed OF mint al the
White House" continued the witness,
who was left pretty much 10 tell his
own story. Then his eyes sparkled
and he said: Il may have drunk half
a dozen mint juleps in a year"
a light supply Of wine and liquor
was taken on the African expedition,
and OF this a bottle OF brandy was
taken along for the colonel. The phySi-
clan Of the outfit measured it out n
him from time to time for chills aid
other reasons.
Il touched nothing else in the eleven
months" continued the witness, and
the doctor. apparently out Of A whiui.
at the end OF the trip measured what
was left and found that l had con-
sumed just seven ounces"
Horace Andrews, one Of the defence's
lawyers. devoted little time TO cross
examination. Mr.. Andrewss manner
is suayity itself. He treads and SPEAKS
softly. only when witness tries 10
enter into further explanations than
his questions require does his voice
rise At such times his tones seem 10
have claws.
Colonel Roosevelt, however was a
tractable witness. and Mr.. Andrews
made no great attempt 10 change his
testimony He interposed several OBJ
iections OF minor nature. but the
witness. deeply interested and stirred
as he seemed 10 be at refuting what
his suit alleges was a libel. always
stopped short and waited for the ruling
os tho court