The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-06-03
I. R. WINS VICTORY
JUDGE BARS REPORTS IN OTHER
NEWSPAPERS THAT COLONEL
WAS INTEMPERATE.
LINE OF DEFENSE SHOWN
Attorneys for Editor Newett intend to
Prove It Was Common Gossip That
the Former President Drank
Liquor lmmoderately.

.t40Ot
Marquette, Mich. May 3O.-on the
question whether George A Newett
might show that other newspapers
published reports that Colonel Roose-
velt was addicted to excessive drink
ing and whether individuals heard
such reports, the court here Weones-
day ruled that such evidence cannot
be admitted. This was considered by
Colonel Rooseyelt's attorney in the.
libel suit against George A. Newett,
editor of the Ishpeming Iron Ore,
victory for them, as 1t will exclude the
so-called hearsay evidence contained
in many depositions. Counsel for the
defense interpreted the ruling to per
NIT witnesses to testify to the gen
eral reputation" of Colonel Roosevelt
with reference to his personal habits:
The courts ruling was considered of
great import, because 1t affects what
was revealed during the arguments as
an underlying contention Of the de-
fense
In the absence of the jury during a
disputed point in testimony Attorney
Belden said the defense would under
take to prove that general reports
were in circulation to the effect that
Colonel Roosevelt used alcohol inlmod
erately and that these reports excused
the editorial In the Ishpeming paper
Counsel for the defense interpreted
| the ruling of the court to permit wit
nesses to testify to the general repu
tation" of Colonel Roosevelt with ref
erence to his personal habits.
The court indicated that the testi
mony would not be permitted to rur
of into discussion of incidents of po
| litical significance when he checked
the ss-questioning of John G
OLaughlin, a newspaper correspond
ent, who was the coloners secretar,
during his European tour after the Al
rican hunt. The voyage of the battle
ship fleet to the Orient and the pro
jected visit of Colonel Roosevelt t.
the pope was brought up, but the lin
of questioning was very quickly SUP
pressed by the Judge.
Although Colonel Roosevelt, return
ing to Europe from his African hunt
| was obliged to attend banquetsI ant
receptions rendered him by monarchf
he never INDUCED in champagne to a.
immoderate degree, according TO tn
testimony of O,Laughlin. who said n
had been associated with Colone
Roosevelt for 20 years. The 8itnes
said he met the former president OF
the Nile after the African hunt, an
accompanied him as far as Paris, aci
ing as secretary to Mr.. Roosevelt
Mr.. O'Laughlin also accompanied tn
colonel on various campaign trips l
this country.
During your 20 years experienc
with Colonel Roosevelt have you eve
seen him in the slightest degree unde
the influence OF liquor?"
81 not only never saw him unde
the influence of liquor. but it seem
absolutely silly to me to have any on
suggest the fact that he ever has" r.
piled OLaughlin emphatically.
"At banquets he sometimes took
glass of white wine. never sa'
him drink more than one glass {
champagne"
Mr.. O'Laughlin described the var
GUS dinners, official and otherwis
given at Washington, including dil
ners at the Gridiron club.
A question involving the custom {
!. former presidents in regard to liquor
, at banquets caused objection by coul
sci for the defense. The court hel
|. It was competent for the plaintiff
show whether Colonel Roosevelt 70
lowed custom in the use of liquor
the White House.
O'Laughlin said his first experienc
with presidents began with the. Sc
ond Cleveland administration, an
Colonel Roosevelt followed the prec
dent of Presidents Cleveland sad M
Kinley in serving wines at public di
ners.
Are you not in charge OF SON
work of the Progressive party
: O'Laughlin was asked on cross-exar
]. ination.
81 am not" he answered
81 win ask you If In 1912 and Il
! some time prior there was not a ge
\ eral report among newspaper me
Z that Colonel Roosevelt drank to e
|. cess?1 asked Attorney Belden.
q o'Laughlin replied: There was n
r q reputable correspondent in Was
o ington but who thought the repo
= was silly; too absurd to be regarded
repeated.