The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1913-06-05
/ R. WINS VICTORY
JUDGE BARS REPORTS IN OTHER
NEWSPAPERS THAT COLONEL
WAS INTEMPERATE.
LINE OF DEFENSE SHOWN
Attorneys for Editor Newett Intend to
Prove II Was Common Gossip That
the Former President Drank
Liquor lmmoderately.

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 Wednes-
day ruled that such evidence cannot
be admitted. This was considered by
Colonel Roosevelt's attorney in the
libel suit against George A. Newett,
editor Of the Ishpeming Iron Ore, a
victory for them, as it will exclude the
so-called hearsay evidence contained
In many dispositions. 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 immod-
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 run
off into discussion of incidents OF po-
!itical significance when he checked
the cross-questioning of John c.
OLaughlin, newspaper correspond
ent, who was the colonel's secretary
during his European tour after the Az
rican hunt. The voyage of the battle
ship fleet to the Orient and the pro-
lected visit Of Colonel Roosevelt to
the pope was brought up, but the line
Of questioning was very quickly sup
P'NSSCd Ny lhO JuuSS.
Although Colonel Roosevelt, return.
ng to Europe from his African hunt,
was obliged to attend banQuets and
rendered him by monarchs |
le never INDUCED in champagne to an
degree, according to the |
testimony Of O'Laughlin. who said he
had been associated with Colonel |
Roosevelt for 20 years. The witness
'aid he met the former president on
he Nile after the African hunt, and
accompanied him as far az Paris, act
ng as secretary to Mr.. Roosevelt.
ir. O'Laughlin also accompanied the
colonel on various campaign trips In
his country.
During your 20 years experience
With Colonel Roosevelt have you ever
cen him In the slightest degree under
he influence Of liquor?"
Il not only never saw him under
he influence Of liquor. but it seems
bsolutely silly to me to have any one
uggest the fact that he ever has" re-
lied O'Laughlin emphatically.
at banquets he sometimes took a
lass Of white wine. | never saw
i'm drink more than one glass OF
Mr. OLaughlin described the vari.
us dinners, official and otherwise,
iven at Washington. including din
ers at the Gridiron club
A question involving the custom OF
primer presidents II regard to liquors
banQuets caused objection by coun.
81 for the defense. The court held
was competent for the plaintiff to
how whether Colonel Roosevelt fol-
WED custom in the use of liquor in
le White House.
O'Laughln said his first experience i
ith presidents began with the, sec
I'd Cleveland administration, and ,
Olonel Roosevelt followed the prece- +
INT of Presidents Cleveland ;.1d Nc {
inley in serving wines at public din
ers. r
Are you not in charge of some .
ork Of the Progressive party?" I
'LauGhlin was asked on cross-exam. :
alton.
II am not" he answered q
II will ask you II in 1912 and for
me time prior there was not a gen.
al report among newspaper men
at Colonel Roosevelt drank to ex.
$50" asked Attorney Relden. )
OLaughln replied There was not
reputable correspondent In Wash, c
gton but who thought the report o
Is silly; too absurd to be regarded or J