The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-05-28
Washington Newspaper Cor
respondent on the Stand
for Roosevelt
AT THE RESUMPTION
OF TRIAL TO-DAY
John Callan O'Loughlin Was
First Witness in the
Libel Suit

MhIqueltes Mlsfl., May Co ne ihtiV
duction OF further evidence 10 show the
abstemious habits of the plaintiff was
resumed to-day in the libel suit of Theo-
dore Roosevelt against George A. New
ett, publisher of Iron Ore, of Ishpeming
Mich, who charged him with drunken
ness. John Callan 0'Loughlm of Wash
ington, a newspaper correspondent, was
the first witness this morning.
Although Colonel Roosevelt, on return
/ ing from his African hunt, was obliged
to attend banquets and receptions ten
dered him by monarchs. he never in
dulged in champagne to an immoderate
degree, was the testimony of O'Loughlin.
who said he had been associated with
Roosevelt for twenty years. He said
that in all that time he had never seen
kim in the slightest degree under the
influence Of liquor.
0Loughlin described the various din
.ners, official and otherwise at Washing
ton, at which he never saw Roosevelt
take anything but champagne and never
that to excess.
Other Important Witnesses.
Important witnesses yesterday after
noon were DR.. Alexander Lambert, Col.
Roosevelt's family physician and inti-
mate friend of 80 years, and DIR. p. NJ.
Rixey surgeon general, u. S. n, re-
tired whose official duties during the
Mckinley and Roosevelt terms of Office
included little else than to guard the
presidential physical well being. Other
witnesses were Jacob Riis and ellison
Gardner, the former soeiologist and
writer and the latter newspaper man
whose duty for many years compelled
him to take close note of everything per-
tanning to Colonel Roosevelt
DIR. Lambert said be had given special
attention to the study of alcoholism,
more than to any other line; had writ
ten a book on the subject which was
standard in the profession. and prob
ably during his career had treated 40,Ooo
cases of alcoholism and allied Disorders. |
"He Is extremely temperate" testified |
the doctor He never was called upon
TO treat his friend professionally until /
he was called to Mercy hospital. Chicago,
ifter Colonel Roosevelt's life had been |
attempted at Milwaukee.
None but a very vigorous and heal
Thy man could have stood the shock /
md loss of blood as did Colonel Roose.
1elt," he said. NO alcoholic could have
allied as he did,
The witness spoke of hunting trips in
olorado. Montana, the Dakotas and in
louisiana in which he was the plaintiffs
companion. There was usually liquor
n camp, but Roosevelt did not carry il.
DR.. Rixey, as White House physician,
-iewed his responsibilities with great
ravity and according to his testimony
airly haunted the plaintiff during his
even years at Washington. He gave
he plaintiff clean bill of health.
One statement which he made in tones !
ot loud enough for the plaintiff to hear
aused the latter to smile appreciably,
nd to glance sharply at the jury to
bserve if they heard it. That was when
he witness said I'm the seven and a
alf years | was at the White House
18th Colonel Roosevelt he could not have
often drunk without my knowing it,"
ellison Ganiner said that he had at. !
ended many public functions at which
olonel Roosevelt had been the principal
uest. and had never seen him under the
lfluence of liquor to the slightest de- y
rec. /
Mr. Riis seemed at home in the wit a
ess chair Asked if the former presi .
ant had ever been Under the influence
liquor in his presence. the sociologist I
,plied with gusto, "Oh. Lord. MOI" ic
Asked if Mr.. Roosevelt used coarse or J
rofane language, the witness. a close /
lend of the former president, replied .
larply; mir. Roosevelt is gentle. b
an
There was some discussion as to- j
neither it was necessary to prove the I
,ntility of the former president, but y
the end the court ruled that it might r
taken for granted. u