Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-19
Colonel and Editor Ignore Each
Other as Lawyer Ques-
tionS TaIeSmen.
PEREMPTORY CHALLENGES
ARE LIMITED TO SIX EACH
Examining Attorney Delves Deep
Into Political Feelings of Each
Prospective Juror.


Roosevelt and William Barnes faced each
other in supreme court here today, when
Mr. Barnes suit for libel. demanding
S50,ooo damages, against the former
President was called for trial Mr.
Barnes and Col. Roosevelt sat at adJoii-
ing tables. but neither paid any attention
to the other. The room was crowded to
the doors. and outside the courthouse
great crowd of curious persons. kept IN
line by policemen. awaited AN opportunity
TO get into the room.
Examination of talesnen iii the special
panel of seventy-tive called for the case
began as soon as Justice william S.
Andrews ascended the bench and opened
court
Col. Roosevelt arrived at the court
mouse before his opponent. He wore
large black felt hat pulled down well
over his eyes. The colonel stopped in
the corridor outside the courtroom and
greeted several friends. Then he went
in the room and took a seat at the
table reserved for his counsel. When
MI. Barnes arrived in court ne took
Seat at his counseIs table.
Begins Questioning Talesmen.
As soon a $ Justice Anderson had as
cended the bench the special panel of
seventy-t1ve talesmen was called. and
the selection of the jury began. Each
side was informed by the court tina
they would be allowed six peremptory
challenges. The talesmen were ques-
toned by William l.. Barnum,
Syracuse attorney. for MIR. Barnes. He
wanted to know whether the political
prominence heretofore" of either one
or both of the principals would affect
the decision of possible jurors. He also
asked talesmen whether they believed
a man in politics might be llbeled just
as any other citizen.
The fact that the defendant had been
President of the United States and Gov
ernor of New York also was dwelt upon
by the attorney in framing his in
quries.
Under the procedure adopted for the
selection of the jurors Mr.. Barnum con-
tnued the questioning of talesmen. 1t
was planned to have him examine
twelve men apd then allow counsel for
Mr.. Barnes to question them. AS the
examination proceeded Mr.. Barnum
delved deeper into political and legis-
lative matters, asking the talesmen to
what extent they had been interested in
such affairs.
Gazes at Col. Roosevelt.
Barnes, who had changed his seat,
at Col. Roosevelt for fully two minutes
and then swung back to the table
again and wrote a memorandum on a
pad of paper.
The colonel seemed to be intensely
interested in the answers given by the
talesmen. He leaned far across the
table in front of him SO as to catch
every word that was said.
Rasis of the Su;t
The suit. trial of which was moved
to Onondaga county from Albany un-
der motion for a change of venue, is
based upon statement issued by Col
Roosevelt in the campaign last sum-
ner of Harvey d. Hinman for the re-
publican nomination of Governor of
New York state In that statement
Col. Roosevelt referred to Mr.. Barnes
as controlling, with Charles F. Murphy
Of Tammany Hall, the "all powerful,
invisible government which is RESPONSE
BILE for the maladministration and cor
ruption in public Offices of the state"
The statement also contained other ref
erences to Mr.. Barnes as "a boss
In his answer to the complaint Col.
Roosevelt denied that by giving out
the statement he did Mr.. Barnes
was DANA ged to the extent of $4,000
or any other sum. He says further that
his motive in saying the things he did
say was lin an cndeavor as a citizen
to advance the cause of good, honest
aud efficient government in this state
and without any malice, expressed or
implied, toward either the plaintiff or
any other person
Instances of Alleged Collusion.
The colonel cites instances of what he
alleges proves collusIon existed between
Mr.. Barnes and Charles F.. Murphy He
also discusses at some length state con-
tracts let to publishing and printing con-
Germs in Albany with which Mr.. Barnes
is connected.
In discussing the Albany Lincoln
Lea que. which Col Roosevelt says is COM
posed mainly of republican office holders,
col Roosevelt asserts that the members
pay in dues per cent of their sala ries
and that these funds are used for the
benefit of the republican organization and
others.
The colonels answer. which virtually
outlines his defense, covers 1J3 printed
pages. 1t discusses all political upheayals
which have occurred during the past ten