Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-21
ROOSEVELT SEEKS
TO PROVE HIS CASE
Goes on Witness Stand to Up
hold Charges Against
Barnes.
COLONEL is FULL OF FIGHT
Relates Conversations to Show
Plaintiffs Attitude Toward
Big Business.

SYRACUSE, N. Y, April 20.-Theo-
dore Roosevelt. former President of the
United States. went on the witness
stand in the Supreme Court here to-day
and testified, In an effort TO provo his
contention. that he was justified In
causing tho publication of statement
on which william Barnes sued him to
recover $4,000 for alleged libel.
Under oath, Colonel Roosevelt said
that the former chairman Of the Re-
publican State Committee had urged
him not to antagonize men Of large
business interests who contributed to
both the Democratic and Republican
parties 40 that they would be pro-
tcctcd.
MIR. Barnes told him, Colonel Roose-
velt swore, that it was essential TO pro-
tcct big business interests. because. un-
less they were protected. they would
not mako contributions 10 the party
failing to protect them. and that with
out such contributions. it was impossi-
bic to carry on the organization. With
out organization leaders and bosses. the
former President quoted Mr. Barnes as
saying. party government would be i'm
possible.
BARNES SAYS THAT PEOPLE
ARE NOT FIT TO RULE
Colonel Roosevelt also quoted Mr..
Barnes as telling him that the people
are not At TO govern themselves They
nave got to be governed By the party
organization. and you cannot run an
organization--you cannot have l.adcrs-
unless you have money"
Colonel Roosevelt was called to tho
stand as witness for the plaintifr,
after technical question OF proper
identification OF the plaintiff and de-
fcndant had been brought up by tho
lawyers. He was asked just one ques-
ton. That was whether he was de-
:endani in the action. He replied in the
affirmative. and then was made Wit
ness In his own behalf,
The Colonel sketched his political ca
recr and with considerable pride dis
cussed the regiment of Rough Riders
he organized for service In the Spanish
war. He told where the recruits came
from, where they gathered. where they
went and Jus, wha, they did He even
described the first brush with the Span
ish forces. and would have related or
ders he had given the men under him
had not counsel for the plaintifr OBJ
,ected. Then ne gave detailed testi-
nony about his relations with the late
Senator Thomas c. Plat, with NJ
Barnes and conversations he had with
both those men on various occasions
lie VIII continue his testimony to-
morrow.
ROOSEVELT ENTIRELY
At EASE On STAND
Colonel Roosevelt talked TO the coun-
sci for both sides. offered suggestions
and entered into discussion Of more
than one point with Justice William
5 Andrews, presiding whom he ad-
hrh unl
at his ease. He cut all hts words of
shortly. except when he mentioned the
name OF Mr.. Barnes. He drew out the
names OF his opponent and put A pe-
culiar pronunciation upon the last
syllable
Mr.. Barnes himself appeared much
interested In the first part OF Colonel
Roosevelt's testimony. As II pro-
Eressed. however. the plaintifr in the
action seemed 10 lose interest, and he
first retired from a seat close TO the
witness stand TO one farther away. and
then he LEFT the room.
Mr. Barnes's attorneys had rested be-
'ore Colonel Roosevelt was called TO the
stand They completed presentation OF
their case In twenty minutes, and
called as their single witness the do.
PENDANTS own private secretary, John
McGrath He testified that he gave
out the statement complained OF to
newspaper reporters at Oyster Bay
partial list OF sixty eight news
papers in which the statement appeared
then was read, and counsel for tho de-
iendant conceded that the statement
had appeared in them. They also con-
ceded that the plaintiffs detailed state
ment or the circulation OF each OF tho
newspapers mentioned was correct.
The defense then rested
WALKS SMILINGLY TO
THE WITNESS CHAIR
When Colonel Roosevelts name was
called. he arose from his seat at tbe
table occupied by his counsel and
smiiing1y walked to the witness chair
In reply to a question he said he
was the man who made the statement
complained of. He added:
81 am ffty-eight years old, and havc
wife and six children"
In reply to other questions. he re.
cited In firm. clear voice. the story
of his early life. and of his politicnl
career He told OF his appointment on
the civil Service Commission, to the
Office OF police commissioner OF New
YORK and Assistant Secretary Of the
Navy. He then told OF organizing. with
General Wood. the Rough Rider Reei
ment.
Mr.. WINS. Mr.. Barnes's attorney, OBJ
itcted to this line OF testimony, and Mr..
,owers, VINO was questioning Mr..
just who the witness was, and with
drew tho question.
The switncss then described his first
engagement with the Spanish, and
again Mr.. WINS objected. The court
did not rule and Colonel Roosevelt
continued:
"We then moved forward toward
Santiago"
IT object to that" said Mr. Twins.
What difference does it make where
he moved to- wanf To shnrtar, 4his