Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-21
I had more with him than with any
other of the leaders except Mr.. Platt

| had more with him than with any
other of the leaders except Mr.. Platt
and Mr.. Odell.
We had many political discussions.
For the most part they were in regard
to the relations between myself and
the leaders of the republican organlza-
ton, particularly Senator Plat. There
were certain issues between us two.
Platt was known as the boss OF the
organization. which controlled the ma
jority of the republican members of the
with the democrats. We were at odds
principally over legislative matters.
Franchise Tax Measure.
Did you discuss the proposed fran
chise tax" asked Mr.. Bowers.
Mr.. WINS objected. Justice Andrews
said it appeared to him that the de-
Tense had a right to prove. il possible,
that there existed between business
and politics a corrupt alliance. or that
there was one between Mr.. Barnes and
Mr. Murphy. IF these things can be
proved" said the court, they may es-
tablish justification of this alleged
libel
The court then overruled the objec-
ton. The court added that the defend
ant had a perfect right to give testl-
many regarding campaign contrlbu-
tons and that he presumed this was
what Mr.. Bowers was getting at Mr..
Bowers said it was. The witness then
replied that he did have conversations
with Mr.. Barnes about the rrancnlse
tax act.
The colonel continued to say that Mr.
Barnes Endorsed the protest OF MT.
Platt against the franchise tax bill.
What did Mr.. Barnes say about the
railway franchise tax. Mr.. Bowers
asked, land when was it,
Col Roosevelt replied: II don't re-
member the exact time. However, Mr..
Barnes stated that Mr.: P!att was right
in his opposition to the franchise tax
bill. At that time there was only one
bill before the legislature. In his early
conversations he objected strenuously
to the bill.
Business Interested.
AT one point in the conversations
the question arose as to who was in
terested in the bill. Mr.. Barnes said
there were large business interests
which had contributed to both parties
and were against the bill In Albany
Mr.. Barnes said Mr.. Robert Pruyn and
Anthony Brady. both interested in rap
id transit. were opposed to the bill. Mr..
Barnes said both of these men had
contributed handsomely to both par
ties. ] said Mr.. Pruyn was republi-
can. At that time Mr.. Brady was a
democrat and Mr.. Barnes said that
made dlnerence.
Mr.. Barnes told me the two men
contributed not as a matter of politics
but as a matter of business.
Did Not Wish to Hurt Business.
MFR Barnes also told me that II we
did not treat big business right and
Iif the republican party became social
istic the democrats would get all the
contributions and the republican party
none. ] assured Mr.. Barnes I did not
want to injure any big business in
terest.
Later I expressed establishment to
Mr.. Barnes that special message l
had sent to the legislature had been
torn up. In reply Mr.. Barnes said /
was foolish 10 believe that the legis-
lature would do anything on SO i'm
portant matter until orders had been
received from the organization.
After the bin ~. Vas passed passed. the wit.
to follow Senator Platt's advice and
refuse to sign the franchise bill. Mr.
Barnes said he made the request in the
interest of the general public. He also
asked me not to back the BILL
Now. Col. Roosevelt said Mr.. Bow
ers. lis there anything you have for
| gotten to state concerning the con-
versations you have had with Mr..
| Barnes?"
!
| Barnes stated that it was essential to
| protect the big business interests. be-
cause. unless they were protected they
would not make contributions to the
party failing to protect them: that
withffiout such contributions 1t was
| impossible to carry on the organiza-
ton. and that without organization
without such contributions it was
used specifically the word bosses
party government was impossible. And
| he used this phrase: The people are
not fit to govern themselves. They
| have got to be governed by the party
| organization. and you cannot run an
organization, you cannot have leaders,
| unless you have money / believe this
conversation was over the franchise
tax bill, but in substance was repeated
to me by Mr.. Barnes on at least a
dozen other occasions.
"All my prepossessions were strongly
in Mr. Barnes favor. I corresponded
with him before and after l was Presi-
dent, and Mr.. Barnes visited me at
the White House on number of &C.
casionS."