The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1913-06-01
Defendant Retracts Charge Of
Drunkenness Against Colonel
in Editorial Column.
NOMINAL DAMAPE GRANTED
Sum Of Six Cents Provided for BY
Law is Assessed by the
Twelve Jurors.


Theodore Roosevelt today won his
ibel suit brought against George A.
Sewett, charging him with drunken
,ess, and having waived damages az
Ter the defendant had uttered a re-
traction, the jury assessed nominal
inc of six cents, provided for In
such cases by the laws OF Michigan.
Zach party to the suit will have to
pay his own expenses.
The jury was instructed to bring
n verdict for the plaintiff, which
hey did without leaving their seats.
rhe colonel left for the east tonight.
The climax of the case came like
he conclusion of a powerful drama,
When the afternoon session began
he air was electrified with expect
ncy. Rumors were flying that the
iuit would be terminated. The coun-
ell for both sides remained absolutely
liiii dc ldi dS AEiiAy ih6 eh1~'St ~
when one of the plaintiffs attorneys
ssumed the reading OF deposition
was noticed that he skipped sew
raj portions Of these and even
mitted the testimony OF some Wit
,esses who had made deposition.
he next move was sudden.
1.-THE plaintiff rests" announced
soosevelt's counsel, and every eye
as toward the desk where sat the
defendant and his attorneys. VIM.
,. Delden of Ishpeming and Forrest
.ndrews of Cleveland. 1.-THE defense
ill call Mr.. Newett," Belden an
,ounced, and the rudy checked man
hose color did not betray the pres
nee Of long and serious illness,
1ok the chair. In his hand he car
led a manuscript.
cit is fair to the plaintiff to state
hat have been unable to secure In
NY section of the country any in
ividual witness willing to state that
e had personally seen Mr. Roose-
cit drink to excess read Newett.
i The colonel broke into grin when
he defendant, speaking distinctly
nd with emphasis, said, with ref
renee to the mass OF testimony adj
uced by the plaintiff. am forced
conclude that / was mistaken"
The libel was published In good
1 aith, Newett said. in believing that
was proper information for a pub
which was being asked by Reose-
cit to become its president. That
was true, the defendant said, he
lever questioned until the libel. trial
vas opened.
No demand for retraction had been
1ade, he stated. and when the bill
vas filed against him there was
lothing left for him to do but seek
violence and make preparation to
ontest the suit. Leaving the stand
md returning to his seat, Newett
ooked in the direction OF Col.
Roosevelt The latter whispered to
IFS attorney, who turned to Judge
'lannigan and said
with the courts permission, the
laintifr would like to make a briet
announcement. The Judge nodded
md Roosevelt arose. Rowing to the
curt the colonel said he would
valve the matter of damages save
or the nominal amount provided for
by law.
| Speaking of the purpose of insti-
uting the silt, he said:
I II wish for once during my life
ime to deal with those libels so they
lever again will be in position for
my man in good faith to repeat
hem"
| Speaking of Col. Roosevelt as the
plaintiff, Judge Flanagan said
| Certainly be has soualneed tie
curt that he 'as :e.sr hsss drunk
IN any occasion AMI also that be has
been temperate man."
| AT The same tine the court held
hat Sewton, In his public edi
oriaF was aot art iaisd ey II, will
cwards the a!a,Iu6 ans tha, be
had acted IN ga.t fa:ts, hut the
court held the injury te the :ia,stiff
mad he not wal nd The s,,.t to dam
ages, would lave sustained a verdict
In any sum ~ TO $4,000, the
amount which Roosevelt brought
sr's fer.
&4ss.