Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-04-26
Confidential Correspondence
Offered in Evidence in
Libel Action.
DISCUSSED OFFICE
SEEKERS WITH BOSS
Roosevelt Admits He Recognized Sem
ator as Boss Of Republican Party in
New York State, But Denies That
Consultations With Plat Constituted
{ "InvisibIs Govsrnment"-1a Cor
rsspondsnes Also Presented.


Syracuse, N. r, April 26.-Theodore
Roosevelt today resumed the stand in
the $4,000 libel suit brought against
him by William Barnes and answered
questions leading up to the establish
ment Of the progressive party. Attor-
neys for Mr.. Barnes said they had q
series Of questions to put to Mr. Roose-
welt concerning things he did as presi-
dent and later. A large number OF let
ters written by Colonel Roosevelt were
brought into court by attorneys for Mr..
Barnes. It was the former presidents
fifth day as a witness.
Confidential Letters Read.
A series Of confidential letters taken
from the files kept by the late Thomas
Platt, while he was representing the
state Of New York In tho United States
senate. were read to the Jury. Some Of
the letters were signed by Colonel
Roosevelt. In nearly all Of them candi-
dates for state offices were discussed
and in reply to . question by Mr..
Barnes council the former president
said without the slightest hesitation
that he consulted frequently about at
fairs at Albany. with Mr.. Platt. know
ing at all times that he was ''boss" Of
the republican party Of this state.
one Of the letters contained . post
script which 1eAA:
IAN right 11l chAnks The whols
board Of tax a11esaosA
The colouel 6snied Mat. suolt confer
ence oeustitutsd -nvisible govern
ment."
"My actions. he said. "were as
visible az they could be- |
y feared tsuShss' Dietatos0K1p
|ss..Whsn couE 0ps4od a. stipulation be-
stasa4 dep aitton1ae - 4opE
unnamed witnesses outside the 1tate
would have the Same effect 40 II the
witness appeared on the stand, was
read into the record. Mr.. WINS Mr.;
Barnes. attorney. then put into the
record letters written by Mr. Barnes
to Colonel Roosevelt. and by Colonel
Roosevelt to Mr.. Barnes and Herbert
Parsons. The latter letters dated
Aug. II, 1908. were nearly identical in
contests and phraseology. In one let
ter Mr.. Barnes discussed Governor
Hughes He said that should Hughes
be elected he would set up political
machine and that all politicians who
opposed him would have to sneak in
the back door or get out Of politics.
Dared Not Turn Hughes Down.
The reply Of Colonel Roosevelt read:
"My dear Mr.. Barnes: Yesterday I
saw Sherman. Bennett. George Smith,
Mike Dady. Cocks and Hitchcock,
chairman Of the national committee.
here. l have been carefully going into
the Hughes matter since saw you.
appreciate to the full the force OF the
arguments you urged. 1t 10 not pleas
ant for me to support man who mas
80 wantonly behaved to tho man who
did the most toward securing his cleo
tion-1 would approve turning him
down in the public interest. Moreover.
I appreciate that he has alienated quite
needlessly very many men. From the
standpoint Of getting votes. would
say it was certainly wise to nominate
such q man, but no other such man
is in sight. and there does not seem 70
be the slightest chance OF his arising.
Under the conditions 1t seems to me
that while it will do damage to nomi-
nate Hughes, it will do more damage
not to nominate him, and this damage
will extend outside the state. want
to disclaim any intention TO dictate the
nomination. yet want to you the
convention ought to renominate MIN.
Agreed 70 Consult earnes.
81 am sure that the delegates from
this district will be for him. Bennett,
sherman and Dady insist that there
ii. no alternative to his denomination.
Hitchcock says that not to renOmtnate
him would be harm to the canvass out
side OF the state as well as In New
Tor;x. Even smith finally acknowledged
he was OF the same view. Every one
present agreed to keep silent and to
consult with you. among others, before
any kind Of conclusion was announced;
but from the papers should Judge
someone had talked. It was not for
no newspaper man communicated with
mo directly or indirectly and was -
much surprised AZ anyone when ! saw
The statement In the papers
"A copy Of the above letter was sent
to Mr.. Parsons.
on Aug, "a. 1908. Colonel Roosevelt
wrote Mr.. Barnes In bart ~ follows:
"What ever my friends do up In AL
bany shall stand by them.
HuaheS Nomination Necessary.
"Now, II you and those like you.
fear that ! shall ask you to cut your
throats, your fear - sroundless, but my
Judgment II that the convention viii
nouninats Hughes, and It would hurt
very much more not to nominate him
than TO nominate him. altho Il win
doubtlsss hurt us very much "a. nom.
inato him" ~
on Aus. -, Mr.. Roosevelt wrote to
M. Parsons, from the White House:
You wers very strong in your
statements a. 70 what the men under
you said - 20 Mr.. HnghsS unpopular
ity and I certainly understood you TO
sayi that Bennett felt exactly . you
did. Whan D6nnett; tells me. - the
local IoaAer1 hke Sefass6ufgert tslt M.
4Aa& -&Ao seat1nsnt ls.veEy stsuaG 8pe