The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-04-22
ROOSEVELT SUIT
FOR LIBEL STARTS
William Barnes Wants $4,000
For Alleged False and Ma
liCious Statements Made
BY Former President.

Syracuse. N. Y, April 20.-The pros
pect of witnessing the trial Of the $780,
600 libel suit brought by William Barnes
against Theodore Roosevelt, drew q
great crowd to the court house here
today before even the first parcel OF
rs talesmen appeared. 1t had become
known in Syracuse that after lawyers,
talesmen n reporters had been seated
fewer thai 30 spectators could be ac-
c~ommodated.
Mr.. Barnes, on his arrival here last
night, held a conference with his attor-
neys. Colonel Roosevelt spent the
night at the home of his friend, Horace
Wilkinson.
court house before his opponent. He
wore a large black felt hat pulled down
well over his eyes. The colonel took a
seat at the table reserved for his coun-
sci.
When Mr.. Barnes arrived in court he
took a seat at his counsel's table. Col-
onel Roosevelt was sitting with his
back toward his opponent. To all out-
ward appearances neither was aware
that the other vas anywhere near.
AS soon as Justice Edwards has as
cended the bench the roll of the special
panel of rs talesmen was called and the
selection of the jury began. Each side
vas Informed by the court hat they
would be allowed six peremptory chal-
lenges. The talesmen were questioned
by WHiia1n u. BarnuHl q syracuse at
torney for Colonel Roosevelt. He
wanted to know whether the political
prominence heretofore, of either one
or both of the principals would affect
the decision of possible jurors. He
also asked talesmen whether they be-
lieved politicians might be libelled just
as other citizens.
The fact that the defendant has
been president Of the United States
and governor of New York. was also
dwelt upon by the attorney in framing
his inquiries.
Barnum delved deeper into political and
legislative matters, asking the tales
men to hat extent they had been in
terested in such affairs.
Once Mr.. Barnes, who had changed
his seat, swung around in his chair and
| gaZed at Colonel Roosevelt for fully two
minutes, then turned back and wrote
q memorandum on a pad of paper.
THE colonel leaned far across the
table so as to catch every word that
| was aid.
The suit Is based upon a statement
issued by Colonel Roosevelt during the
campaign last summer of Harvey D.
Hinman for the republican nomination
| of governor Of New York state. In that
| statement Colonel Roosevelt referred to
Mr.. Barnes as controlling with Charles
+. Murphy, Of Tammany hall. the "all
powerful, invisible government with Is
responsible for maladministration and
corruption in public office of the
state" The statement also contained
other references to Mr.. Barnes as "a
boss
In his answer to the complaint Col
onel Roosevelt denied that by giving
out the statement he declared that Mr..
Barnes was damaged to the extent OF
$4,000. or any other sum. He says
further that his motive in saying the
things he did say was lin an endeavor
as a citizen to advance the cause Of
good, honest and efficient government
in this state and without any malice,
expressed or implied, toward either the
plaintiff or any other person"
Syracuse, N. Y. April 19.-Twelre
men satisfactory to counsel for Will
lam Barnes in his suit for alleged libel
against Theodore Roosevelt. asking
$50, 00O, were selected during the OPEN
ing session of the trial of the suit in
the supreme court here today.
Colonel Roosevelt's lawyers expect
to begin their examination of the pros
pective jurors at the afternoon SEES
l n nF M