Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-05-20
BOWERS DOUBTS BARNES
His Argument Is Designed Il
Give Jury Impression That
Former President Was Justi-
fed in Statements, and L
"Power for Good"

Syracuse, N. Y. May A-Juhn NJ
Bowers chief counsel for Theodore
Roosevelt in tho trial Of william Barnes
suit for libel. spent three hours to-day
In summing UP for the benefit Of the
jury the case Of the defense, Near the
conclusion of his address he asserted that
the action brought by the former chair
man of the republican State committee
was a "purposed act OF the machine to
destroy Colonel Roosevelt's usefulness"
Mr.. Bowers used up much more time
than had been allotted him. For that
reason the summing UP of the case of the
plaintiff was postponed until tomorrow
morning. William NJ. WINS, chief counsel
for Mr.. Barnes said tonight that he
might conclude within an hour.
Supreme Court Justice William ID.
Andrews, presiding. will then deliver his
charge to the jury That completed the
jury will retire and begin its deibera-
tions.
Unless the stated plans miscarry. 1t is
within the range Of possibilities that a
verdict may be returned some time late
tomorrow.
"EVASIONS" AND "DENIALS"
In his address Mr. Bowers discussed
at great length the testimony given on
the stand by Mr. Barnes and Colonel
Roosevelt and their respective witnesses.
He urged that the jury consider the
evasions and in a sense the deuials'' of
Mr.. Barnes. He urged a compa rison be-
tween the two principals. Mr.. Bowers
questioned the truth OF many of the
statements by Mr. Barnes and he pre-
sented exhaustive arguments designed to
convey to the jury the impression that
his client was justified in saying the
things he did about Mr. Barnes. Tha
attorney places especial emphasis upon
testimony regarding the deadlock in the
Legislature in 1911 over the election OF
United States senator TO succeed
Chauncey NJ Depew. In this connection
he asked why Mr.. Barnes would have
endeavored to interest the republican
minority in the election Of an independ-
ent democrat had he not been in control.
The mere fact. he said. that Mr. Barnes
was consulted in regard to such a COM
bination was in itself proof of the lead
ership of the plaintiff.
WAS BARNES IMMACULATE.
In regard to the 80 shares of stock
in the j. r. Lyon company Mr.. Barnes
said We're given him by the founder OF
that printing concern. Mr.. Bowers said
that transa cton and the other by which
the plaintiff gained claim Of so 0Oo
against the Lyon company occurred near
time when he was "dickering with
members of the State printing board and
urging Colonel Roosevelt then governor.
not to recommend the establishment of a
State printing house"
Ask yourselves" Mr. Bowers said to
the Jury. whether his character was as
Immaculate as it has been painted"
Mr. Bowers read many of the letters
introduced in record. including several
taken from the files of the late Thomas
c. nlatt-''the easy boss"--and a copy
of one Lemuel Z, Quigg wrote to the
colonel before he became a candidate for
governor. The Quigg letter among other
things counseled Colonel Roosevelt about
his future relations with the republican
organization
r r. GUIDE OF NATION"
In concluding his address Mr.. Bowers
described Colonel Roosevelt as closely
following President Wilson as "a
guide Of the nation.
Then he referred to his client and
his case in this manner:
''Ex president. ex-governor. the peo.
pies true represeutative-juror will
YOU let him be broken down and de-
stroyed? stand for him; stand for thu
people Give no vote to accomplish
the purpose sought by this action.
Meet the responsibility that rests upon
you with a clear conscience and Theo-
dore Roosevelt will romair power
for good"