The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-01
END Of CELEBRATED
DAMAGE SUIT CONES
QUITE UNEXPECTEDLY
Defendant Takes Stand and
Reads Statement Exoner-
ating Plaintiff
THAT'S JUST WHAT
WANTED,"DECLAREST.
Colonel Address Jury and
Asks for Only Six Cents.
Principals Separate With
out Hand Shake

MARQUETTE, MICH. May 31.-
Editor Newett. of the I~shpeming Iron
Ore, took back in open our his
afternoon. all the things he nae said
about Theodore Roosevelt. and told
Judge, jury and everybody else that he
was sorry he had said them.
Therefore, the colonel left for New
York tonight with all the satisfaction
he wanted, and six cents besides
the nominal damages he asked for
after Newett retracted and a~pologized
on tho witness stand.
The editor ave up all hope today
that he would he able to prove In
any degree that Cononel Roosevelt
was addicted to drunkenness. or that
the colonel used bad language. TAX
ing the advice of his lawyers. who
had been informed that. the colonel
didn't want money damages, he made
up his mind to say he was mistaken
and that he regretted his publica-
ton of stories damaging to Colonel
Ro~osevelt's reputation.
Editor Retracts All.
Editor Newett took the witness stand
after Colonel Roosevelt had put for-
ward most convincing testimony that
his habits, as president and private
citizen. were those OF a temperate
man. Then the colonel closed his case.
Suddenly the lawyers for the defsnas
announced that Editor Newett would
take the stand. A CROWDED court
room sensed a dramatic finish to tho
remarkable trial IN which one % ther
two ex-presidents OF the United States
was compelled to defend his record
for sobriety.
Mr.. Newett read a long statement
in which he set forth that he had
heard many stories about Colonel
Roosevelt's addiction to liquor: hat
he was loath at first 10 believe tho
stories, and hat finally he a come
to believe that they were true. How
ever, he was convinced by the tesfi-,
mony of the reputable gentlemen who
had testified in the colonefs behalf,
that the stories were false. There-
fore. he desired to retract his utter
ances, and TO say that he regretted
having published false reports.
just What He Wanted.
That's just what ! wanted: that
settles IT," declared Colonel Roose-
Welt, in a LOUD whisper to James r.
Garfield. who sat next to him.
AS Newett finished the reading Of
his statement. Colonel Roosevelt Lean
ed over and whispered to James
Pound, his leading counsel. Pound,
aQuTeSSiUE JQuSe + idIiliEdI- SdiQ- Az
view OF the statement Of the defeH-
dant, my client desires to address the
court"
There will be no objection. I take
1t" replied Judge Flanagan.
Attorney Andrews for Newett.
shook his head in accord.
Colonel Roosevelt anne to his feet
with a jerk. standing erect and i'm
movable. He addressed the court In
slow. distinct. measured terms:
I'm view of the statement made by
the defendant I shall ask the court to
instruct the jury that I desire only
nominal tsix cents) damages. I did
not go into this suit for money. / did
not go into 1t with any vindictive
purpose. / went into IL and, as h
court said. made my reputation
an issue, because I wished once for
all, during my lifetime. to deal with
these slanGers fully and comprehen-
siveiy. so that v again will 1t be
possible for n man in good faith 70
repeat them. / have achieved my
purpose, and am content"
Take a Recess
"In view of the statement just made
by the plaintiff. we desire to take .
recess of fifteen minutes" said MI.
BeIden. attorney of record for New
EFT.
There was an enthusiastic demon -
stration by Mr.. Roosevelt's friends.
and several of them. reached for hts
hands, or attempted to throw their
arms about his shoulders.
~ Twenty minutes after h receSGa
was announced. the attorneys reap
peared Attorney Belden, for the dos
PENDANT, announced that they we're
ready to proceed, but the defendant
did not resume the witness stand. 1n-a
stead, he went to his seat at tho AZ
torneys' table until the formal verdict
was rendered. Colonel Roosevelt
leaning forward in his chair. graA9-S
ing the arms tightly. his eyes focnAe4
instantly upon the form OF Attoru4&
Andrews. one of Newett's counsel.
"In view of the statement OF tn
defendant, and of the plaintiff. u I'M
please YOUR honor he said, I'VE fAAks
that there is no further necessity Tor
proceeding, and we, therefore. Re-
our case" RszN
Instructed BY Court
Judge Flanagan Immediately Dc
gan his charge to the jury. expIetn*ss
ing that Newett had libelied ThNo%s
dore Roosevelt, that he had rot doY<4&s
1t maliciously. that Colonel Hoes9~S
welt recognized the absence Of na4ftG65
by requesting nominal damages onl8$S
that such damages were an afaoMG&
OF six cents under the laws OF MtE3As
SS&
And, therefore, i instruct yOa
render a verdict for such dAMn04 Il
in favor Of ne plalntl1- 0a
a. II. Matthews. q miner. tesM1