New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-25
ROOsevelt'S Blows the
Heavier Thus Far in
Libel Suit.
PLAINTIFF MAY USE
A WEEK TESTIFYING
One Result of Trial May Be In
creased Prestige for De-
fendant in 1916.

usually surly exterior Such atti-
;udos Of mind would seem to be
but reflection OF the results Of the
first week Of the trial OF the suit of
tire former chairman of the Republi-
can State Committee 10 recover $780,
600 for the alleged libe!lous utter
nnces Of the ex-President Of the
United States.
IL has been a Roosevelt week. not
only from the point OF sequence Of
testimony, but also IN view OF the tell
ing blows the Colonel has been able
TO deliver In spite Of the fact that
rot only has the defence only Just
started to put in its case. and that the
heavy guns of Mr.. Barnes vii. not be
wheeled into action for perhaps a week
yet. speculation mas already started as
20 the political results Of the trial
One big fact. which. however. viii
in no way affect the outcome Of the
trial. "a that Colonel Roosevelt has
been thrust again into the white glare
Of the calcium light. He has again
been able to get mis- forceful views
on politics and morals and on govern
ment in gertral before the public. The
dominance Of his personality has been
displayed under circumstances IN
which the ordinary man would feel
subdued. Tc be defendant in a court
of Justice is not as a rule exhllarstng.
Question Of 1916.
You cannot get Mr.. Barnes or Will
lam VI. Ivins. his counsel, or any OF
his partisan friends to believe foI
ui.F~y that the latest projection Nof
the Roosevelt idea on the public
screen will result IN the eXPresidenES
becoming a formidable factor in the
consideration Of Republican probsbili-
ties for 1915. 1t is a fact, however
that keen judges of political history
are seriouslv suggesting that this may
be exactly what will happen.
The Roosevelt appearance in the
streets o. Syracuse, the Roosevelt point
Of view. the Roosevelt testimony on
the stand. nave all taken wonderful
grip on the hold Of the people here.
Syracuse Was known as one OF the
strongnolds Of the Progressive party,
but that organization has, of course,
waned here in proportion to the de-
c'ines registered in other sections OF
tho country. But the enthusiasm for
the Colonel has all come back.
IL didn't know that the Colonel actu-
allv had so many admirers here" was
the way one Republican politician eA-
pressed It.
But il you suggest to any of the men
under the spell of the Barnes idea that
the man from Albany, instead Of dig
cling the political grave Of the Colonel
and boosting himself into the forefront
of leadership in the Presidential cam
paign of 1916. may have accomplished
Just the reverse. they reply:
What sanatorium have you been
visiting TO get such an idea as that"
Progressive Party Dead.
1t is no secret to close friends Of
Colonel Roosevelt that he feels the
Progressive party cannot come back.
He homes that II has accomplished its
purpose and will keep the "Old Guard
in the Republican organization from
attempting TO dominate and dictate the
Presidential nomination in 1915. II
men such ss Senator Boies Penrose. OF
Pennsvlvania. and Mr.. Barnes can be
81 =
tion. Colonel Roosevelt would like 10
play the part OF the prodgal son.
A. least that is what some OF his
friends say. ..pparentiy he has not
formulated this purpose precisely even
TO his friends, but they gather II from
his general attitude OF mind.
II the trial results in a vindication
for the Colonel that is to say. if the
court determines that he had right TO
saw what he did about corrupt political
alliances and invisible government-it
will come not far short of consigning
Mr. Barnes TO political oblivion, accord
ing TO many political students here.
There seems to be no doubt that the
trial will now go through to the bitter
end. Some surprise has been expressed
that Mr.. Barnes did not take advantage
OF the opportunity 70 drop the case Of
fered 10 him on the second day OF the
trial. Az that time. IN his motion for
dismissal. John VI. Bowers argued
for the Colonel that in his statement
nc was referring 20 type of govern
rnent. that the name Of Mr.. Barnes had
been used simply because he happened
10 be leader AZ the time, and that
there was not meant 10 be the slightest
intimation that the former chairman
Of the State Committee was personally
corrupt.
Barnes a Stubborn Man.
Mr. Barnes IS stubborn man When
his mind is SET on an idea ~ Is I'M
possible 10 get him TO believe ne
cannot impress the same idea on the
minds OF the public. provided he gets
the chance, and this chance, he be
lieves. the present suit affords him
There are many things he wants to say
under oath which he believes will do
telling damage to the defendant.
But what these things are is. OF
course. carefully guarded. There is no
question. however, that what Mr..
Barnes has TO say on the witness stand
will be stated with a personality which.
while by no means so winning as that
of the Colonel. - still endowed with
force that gives weight TO all he says
Mr.. Barnes is said 20 have remarked
iocularly: Wait until ! get on the
stand, III ne there q week" There is
reason 20 believe. however. that Hr
wins mas no intention OF keeping him
there more than a day, though what