Arizona republican., 1913-06-01
George A. Newett, Editor of ''Iron Ore," Published in Ishpeming, Confesses He Is Unable to Secure Evi- dence of Drunkenness
ROOSEVELT ASKS
 NOMINAL DAMAGES
Says Suit Was Brought, Not for Money Gain, But to EffectualIy Stop the
 Tongues of Slanderers- Editor Retracts ..-
ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCH

ASSOCIATED PRESS DIsPATCH1
 MARQUETTE, May 31.-TheodOre Roosevelt today won his libel suit against George A. NeWett who charged the colonel with drunken ness. Having waived damages after the defendant had uttered a retrac- ton. Colonel Roosevelt accepted iurv award of the nominal damages of six cents provided in such cases by the law of Michigan. Each party to the suit will have to pay his own expenses.
 Judge Flannigan instructed the jury to bring in a verdict for the plaintiff which they did without leaving their seats. The colonel left for Chicago and the east at 5:30 this afternoon, two hours after the conclusion of the case With the climax of the case came a lack of conclusion of the powerful drama. When the afternoon session began the air was electrical with expect ancy. Rumors were flying that the suit would be terminated. Counsel however remained uncommunicative and Attorney Van Bensehoten. for the plaintiff resumed his reading of inc dispositions The next move was sudden.
 The plaintiff rests" Attorney Jas. H. Pound remarked in a matter of fact manner. and every eye was turned toward the table where sat the defendant and his attorneys, Horace Andrews, of Cleveland, and William P. Belden of Ishpeming.
 The defense will call MT. Newett' announced Attorney Belden and Tuddy checked man. whose color did not disguise the fact that he was suffering from a serious illness, took the chair In his hand he carried a manuscript There was a shuffling sound as the spectators adjusted themselves the better to hear and observe.
 Colonel Roosevelt sat with folded arms at first but when the defend ant began to reading his statement, he moved to the utmost edge of his chair, and betrayed the excitement which his rigid jaws did not hide. Newett was well along in his reading before the colonel whose position seemed like to that of man about to leap forward, lost the tense look on his face.
 Tt is fair to the plaintiff to state that I have been unable to find in
 
 dividuaI witnesses who were willing to state he had personally seen Col. Roosevelt drink to excess At this the plaintiff smiled and rising spoke a few words in the ear of Attorney Benschoten and the latter smiled back at him.
 The colonel broke into a grin again when Newett. speaking distinctly and with emphasis said with refer ence to the testimony adduced by the plaintiff T am forced to the conclu- sion that I was mistaken"
 The statement admitted that search of the country had been made to investigate the stories of persons alleged to have knowledge that Col onel Roosevelt drank to excess, but in every case, the stories flattened out to a|mere opinion or hearsay.
 The libel was published in good faith. Newett said, in the belief that if was true and proper information for the public which had been asked to vote for Roosevelt for president That it was true the defendant said. 'I never questioned until the libel suit began and I believed the asser- ton until the trial opened"
 No demand for retraction was ever made. he stated, and when the bill was filed against him. nothing was left to do but to seek evidence and make other preparations to contest the suit. Forty depositions were talk CD in various parts of the country but to use them or to attempt to use them would be to continue the injustice which has already become apparent to him and his attorneys
 Leaving the stand and returning to his seat, Newett looked in the direction of Colonel Roosevelt but the latter was absorbed in whisper ing to his attorneys.
 Turning to the judge the attorney said: With the courts permission the plaintiff would like to make a brief announcement"
 The judge nodded and Colonel Roosevelt rose Rowing to the court the colonel said he would waive the matter of damages save for the nom inal amount provided by law. Speak ing of his purpose in instituting the suit he said:
 'I wished once and for all during my life to deal with these islanders so it would never again be possible for any man in good faith to re- peat them.
 Here a recess was taken. and the spectators and witnesses relieved their excited nerves by moving