The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-04-19
by Bond P. Geddes, United
STAIR Correspondept.1 I

Staff Correspondent
SYRACUSE, N. Y, April 19,-Ma-
chino politics-bossisms was the key
note OF the trial begun here today OF
William Barnes suit against former
President Theo. Roosevelt for $4,000
damages for alleged libel.
Barnes asks the $4,000 reputation
balm for being publicly named by the
former president as an alleged part
ner with Boss" Charley Murphy OF
Tammany hall in an alliance between
crooked business and crooked poll
tics"
Colonel lRoosevelt's defense is JUS
tificatfon. He purposes to prove his
charges.
Prominence of both principals III
present and past political history and
the over-shadowing issues, with their
possible result on future politics
made todays trial one of the most
unique and politically pregnant In
state and national fields.
Onandaga county courts we're the
neutral battlefield for the war OF the
political giants. Barnes filed suit al
Albany, his home, but Roosevelt 80
cured a change of venue here on ths
| ground that he could not secure fab
! trial In Albany county.
Former friends, but now bitter foes
Barnes and Roosevelt both promised
merciless disclosures OF past political
| Vaccinations, IN Albany county, New
York state and even the nation. Un
! der subpoena and as spectators, the
political hierarchy Of political parties
Of state and nation assembled here to
day.
Republican state leader in New Yorf
state for years, member OF the state
committee since 1892, its chairman 70!
three years and national committee
man for New York state, Barnes was
prepared to tear the veil from mu Il
secret political history.
| Colonel Roosevelt, friend and CO
worker of Barnes in highest republi
can councils Of the state and nation
as New York's governor and later the
nations chief executive, promised
revelations Of Barnes, alleged boss
isms" and alleged working agreement
with the democrats.
Barnes counsel insisted today that
! the issue is not political, but person
alan attempt to defame and inju'
his good name Roosevelt's lawyers
we're equally as irsistent that promised
proof of Barnes alleged co-partnershil
with Boss" Murphy in shaping legis
lation and in other ways, would ab
solve him Of the charge Of libel.
Friends Of both declared questions
OF money damages was subordinate
Both are wealthy. Barnes, publisher
OF the Albany Journal, is rated as d
millionaire. A. verdict of one ce:lt
or nominal damages in favor Of eth al
will spell popular victory, It Is gen
orally regarded.
At the very opening Of the trial to-
day, opposing counsel clashed. SeleS
ton Of a jury was regarded as vital
Both sides scrutinized the past rec
ords and political affiliations of the
talesmen. The regular jury panel was
drawn up and it was doubted whether
a Jury could be secured before ad
journment of court tonight. Roose
ivelt's attorneys probed carefully for
any hidden Barnes influence among
the prospective jurors. Barnes coun
sci as vigorously delved for progress
sive affiliations which might favor the
colonel.
An early but important skirmis.1
also impended today in technical
motions by both sides. 1t was expect
ed that Roosevelt would move to dis
miss Barnes complaint, alleging II
does not state a cause Of libel. II
dismissed, this would. of course, eni
the case. A motion from the Barnes
side to dismiss Roosevelt's answer as