New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-19
r-,m st.n Correspondent q The Tribune.l


Syracuse. April 1s.-The suit OF
William Barnes against Colonel Theo-
dore Roosevelt for libel had its lncep-
ton in a statement given by the
former cX-President to newspaper
men at his Oyster Bay home on July
%, 1914. 1t was prior to the selection
Of candidates for Governor and the
Colonel was announcing his approval
of the candidacy of Harvey d. HIM
man for the nomination.
"In this state" said Mr.. Roosevelt.
che prime duty is good citizens
movement to save the state from the
bipartisan control of Messrs. Barnes
and Murphy .,
Further along in the statement Mr..
Roosevelt said: "ln New York State
we see at its worst the development
Of the system of bipartisan boss rule.
The outcome of this system Is neces-
sarily that invisible government which
the Progressive party was IN large
part founded to oppose. 1t is I'm,
possible TO secure the economic, SOCIAL
and industrial reforms to which we
are pledged until this invisible gov
eminent OF the party bosses, WORKING
through the alliance between crooked
business and crooked politics, is root
ed out of our governmental system,
The Colonel went on to say that the
two political parties were completely
dominated, one by Mr.. Barnes, the
other by Mr. Murphy, and that the
state government is rotten throughout
most of its state departments" lie
asserted that this rottenness was due
TO the cooperation OF Mr.. Murphy and
Mr. Barnes. acting through Governors
Dix and Glynn; that the interests OF
htrV
Fundamentally identical, and when the
issue between popular and corrupt
and machine rule government Is clear
Is drawn the two bosses will always
be found fighting on the same side.
openly or covertly, giving one another
such support as can with safety De
rendered They really form
the all powerful invisible government
which is responsible for the NAL
administration and corruption in the
public Offices of the state"
Action Promptly Begun.
The statement was published all
over the country. In siXty-eight papers
that have hcen gathered by the com
plainant it appeared in full.
G-r. Barnes waited not an instant
after reading the attack on his pOliti-
va 1i ifO bic rorsonsl counsel on the
49, a,d tho nrenaration Of
i;bol ac+ipn ,yeTe hecun
'ColonoI Poose,eI+ was served
same night.
... ,..I,.;.ai;or If tho matter objected
r...rt@I .bot tho statements in
......-;.,. wa. "Ibellous false and un-
rge. and we're published maliciously
and V.'f intent 20 inJure the plalntif
and without lawful cause, and for the
purpose OF deiamlng ana inJuflng the
legitimate political influence ana ac-
tNfN OF toe FlAlhlii IN the perform
aree Of hls duty Of c!tlzenShip.
Demand was made Tor compensatory
damages OF s'O'0OV. ,..,-
me amended compliant iS niue
more TIA" threc printed pages ~
length. me ans #er' "hi.h was Feil-
yea '' 't'ohet 90 compi iSes t"eh'S-
seven printed pages. exc. uis.iE,e OF the
accom- .}inC eNdl'i's' when occupy
nearly. cighl} pages.
In the answer Oo!ohti h'oSeVei' re-
peated ana enlarged MS charges OF cor
rupuon 10 th' state departments ana
asserted upon information and behet
that for many years past the admins
traton OF the affairs OF the state gov
eminent with relation to legislation,
and Ter some OF sald years with rela-
uoh TO the cahaIs; highways; prisons
'aPltQl worn 'lNlI service h0Spi'als,
HHu me "uiH m 'IatiG on EeH gen anu
ny Ie"SoI vi 'ie Pauuiie VI SAT- pay
' roIIS ana ~ ''t cIeal'on OF u'inects-
S'i! oI'Ces' nHs oeeIl Ii '-I vas" :,
iuI ana I'D Soiht instances corrupt
Accuses Barnes and Plat.
4 Colonel Roosevelt started TO particu-