Perth Amboy evening news., 1915-04-21
Barnes Is Political Boss, All
Power, Roosevelt Declares
on Witness Stand.
READS LEADERS, LETTER
Biggest Crowd at Syracuse
Court House Today Since
the Famous Libel Suit
Was Started.
speotal bu United Press wire.

Special by United Press Wire.
Syracuse, N Y, April 21.-Wil-
liam Barnes, political boss dominant
and all powerful. This was the char
acter portrayal made of the Republi-
can leader by Colonel Roosevelt. OF
Barnes grip on the Republican ma
chine was inherited from Senator
Piatt,, strengthened and used, was
and president, resuming his testi-
mony in defense of Barnes libel suit.
Roosevelt recited conversations
and letters picturing Barnes as the
omnipotent boss in New York state.
He told of Barnes work with Tam
many Democrats to defeat legisla-
tion at Albany With resounding
sn1acks of his palms, fists and fin
gers on his arm chair, Roosevelt
showed his teeth and shot out his
indictments of Barnes, the boss.
He told how Barnes fought Governor
Hughes denomination and his direct
primary legislation. The colonel said
Barnes told him that the organiza-
ton had control of the legislation
and would do what they pleased.
The colonel said Barnes bitterly
opposed Hughes denomination. How
Barnes upheld necessity of bosses in
party government" was ridiculed by
Roosevelt.
He. introduced letter from
Barnes saying:
"The idea ofSgetting rid of bosses
Is absurd as Dng as we have party
senizatlbn. = The people do the
eiecfing but the party should be free
to frame up the proposals to tiIe
people in their own way
Roosevelt said he was told by sew
eral senators that Barnes killed the
Agnew-Hart anti-race track bill by a
coalition with Tammany Democrats,
forcing Senator Stratton, of Albany,
to change his deciding vote and de-
feat the bill 1t was expected that
Roosevelt would complete his direct
examination this afternoon and be
turned over for the remainder of the
day to a rough and tumble cross ex-
animation.
Roosevelt's testimony OF bi-par-
tisan bossism charges against Will
liam Barnes was greatly limited to-
day by ruling Of Trial Justice An
drews. The ruling cuts out much
sensational evidence planned by the
defense in the libel suit and was re-
garded as serious setback for
Roosevelt. Justice Andrews ruled
that Roosevelt cannot testify regard
Ing matters not specifically raised in
Justification of the libel charges and
must limit his testimony to matters
In his answer.
The biggest crowd of the trial
stOrmed the court house today with
Roosevelt as the attraction. Every
seat was filled long before court con-
vened, many women being present.
Barnes's Good Morning" was a
quick, fiery glance at Roosevelt,
which was unseen by the latter.
1t was 1925 O'Clock before court
finally convened, Justice Andrews
then announced his decision curtail-
ing Roosevelt testimony He said
Roosevelt must not testify as to in
dependent facts outside of the plead
ing and that testimony must be con-
fined to justification matters speci-
ally pleaded In Roosevelt's answer
to the complaint. Roosevelt was
then recalled to the stand and
Barnes opposition to Governor
Hughes candidacy taken up.
81 had several conversations with
Mr.. Barnes on the subject" he said.
Barnes changed his seat to be closer
TO the colonel, but with his face turn
ed from the witness stand end be-
hind the judges bench where T.. R.
could see only the top of his head.
The colonel spoke towards the jury
looking away from Barnes.
Justice Andrews ruled out letters
written by Barnes In 1908 to the col
onel regarding Hughes candidacy.
He said they were not material ev--
iGence. The judge excluded CONVEX
sations of Roosevelt and Barnes, re-
garding Hughes, except as they
might prove Barnes the Republican
boss. Barnes lawyers demanded the
Judge define the terms boss and
/ political domination" The judge
refused.
The former president began his re-
cital of his dealings with Barnes yes
terday, being the first witness called,
when he said:
Continued on page ~