Arizona sentinel and Yuma weekly examiner., 1913-05-29
EDITOR {. 4. hEWETT
 DEFENDANT IN ACTION

MAHN&O E IT., M1OI1, May HO-
 The libel suit brought by Col. Theo
 dore Roosevelt against George A. New
 ett, newspaper publisher of Ishpem
 ing, began before Judge Richard c
 Flannigan here this afternoon.
 At o'clock the court called the
 case of Roosevelt vs. Newett," in
 which Colonel Roosevelt is asking $10
 900 damages for the publication by
 Newett last October of an editorial
 charging Colonel Roosevelt with
 drunkenness. The regular venire of
 26 men came into court immediately and the work of selecting a jury be- gan
 Before the case was called the courtroom was half filled with spec tators incluing many women, most il seated in the balconies. The cor riders outside were thronged with others anxious to be the first to en- ter when the doors were opened to the general public. Judge Flannigan announced that none would be ad mitted after the regular seats had been filled.
 Colonel Roosevelt, who arrived here early in the day, accompanied by former members of his cabinet and a number of witnesses, arrived at fhn ChA l., case was called. He drove up in an automobile and, walking between two secret service men, went into the courtroom. His arrival was not at tended by any demonstration
 The room remained perfectly quiet as Colonel Roosevelt entered. He took chair beside William H. Van Ben schoten of New York, one of his law yers.
 The defendent sat at a table with his lawyers, to the right and some what in front of the plaintiff Neither appeared to see the other.
 Attorney Pound thought that the op posing lawyers had some advantage in having table nearer the jury box. | and, receiving permission from tn. | court, moved to a more favorable po | sition, facing the box.
 This suit" said Mir. Pound in his Opening statement. "is brought by Mir. Theodore Roosevelt, of New York. against the defendant, Newett, charg- ing libel. I think that is all I nee, to say at present, and I will proceed o question you"
 Joseph Robear, 9 years old, a teams ter, was asked:
 Do you look upon the publication of such a statement about Colonel Roosevelt as a joke?"
 No, l would not consider it as a oke."
 Examined by William P. Belden counsel for Newett, Robear was asked:
 Would the fact that the plaintiff las been a president of the United States affect you any different from what you would feel if he was a plain ,itizen like MT. Newett?"
 No, that fact wouldn't affect me-"
 Hugo Erickson. of Isheming, the next o be examined, was asked by Attor- ley Pound:
 'lf a newspaper declared that some :. me was guilty of murder or burglary, would you regard it as a joke or erious matter?" Erickson thought it was serious.
 Have you any prejudice as to the ight of a newspaper to comment on he actions of a public character" sked Attorney Belden.
 "No."
 "If we should prove that what the defendant wrote against the plaintiff Tas true would you have prejudice i gainst the defendant" ( Belden had great difficulty in mak- t ng the venireman understand. Brick ( on was passed over temporarily at s he courts suggestion. Charles T. Rutledge, of Ishpeming, on of minister, came next Are you r
 subscriber of Mir. Newett's paper, Il ron Ore?" asked MT. Pound. Yes, my father is. I know Mir. Iewett and repair his automobile. '" Your friendship with the defendant U 7ould not bias you in the trial of this U ase?"
 "No, I think I would try it fairly" What do you think about the law f libel? Is it joke or a serious latter?'
 'I think it is serious" .-