The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-04-23
HE CONFERRED
WITH BOSSES"
Roosevelt Freely Admitted 1t When on
Cross-E mination--Identifed Let
ter He Wrote to Lemuel Quigg.

Syracuse, N. y, April 23.-Theodorc
Roosevelt, former president of the Unit
ed States, spent five strenuous hours
under cross examination in the supreme
court yesterday. He admitted without
any hesitation that he had verbally and
| in writing discussed with "bosses" the
questions of securing the nomination for
governor Of the state of New York.
| Roosevelt identified as being his "A let.
ter written to Lemue f. Quiggs of New
York, Republican leader, and now II
delegate to the state constitutional con
vention, in which he acquiessed in
Quigg's assurances to former United
States Senator Thomas G. Platt, that he
would in the event of his election, re-
spect the senator's position as head of
the Republican party and would 'con-
suit with him freely and fully on all
important matters"
He testified he did confer with Mr.
Platt, the so-called easy boss" But,
he added, he did so with regard to the
interests of the party, with genuine
desire to keep the Republican party
together and minimize "the centrifugal
influences within that party and prevent
it from flying asnnder.
The colonel stepped from the stand
at the end of the day amid roars of
laughter he had caused. He had been
answering questions and incidentally ask
ing few of the attorney cross exam |
lining him. about Mr.. platt's opposition |
to bill in the New York legislation
providing for a tax upon franchises. The
witness told how he had finally secured
the passage of the bill against the wish
es of Mr. Platt and other leaders of the
Republican organization. Then he was
asked whether upon the final passage
of the bill which caused the break be-
tween himself and Senator Platt. he had
sent to the senator in Washington tel
agram containing nothing but the two
words. "Three cheers
II don't remember the telegram" the
colonel solemnly replied Then he made
a grimaee, smiled, slapped his thigh
with his open hand and added: But
{ is characteristic"
On several occasions Colonel Roose
velt was more eross-examiner than be-
ng cross examined. His eyes sparkling {
behind his glasses, he would snap out a
as an answer to a question
lut to him, then proceed to make a
statement upon his own account and
conclude with a query to William Twins.
hicf counsel for William Barnes, jr.,
Who is suing to recover $4,000 from Col
mel Roosevelt for alleged libel Mr..
wins nearly always replied to the ques
ions of the witness before resuming his
ross examination, in a soft voice that
vas scarcely audible in the rear of the
ourt room.
Mr.. WINS, regarded in legal circles rs
master at the art of cross examina- 1.
ion. alternately stood and sat in front a
the witness chair, a great pink car H
alton carefully placed in the lapel of j
is coat and little black skull cap 3
pom his head. Once after the colonel q
ecame emphatic the gray-haired eoun- 4
allor remarked that the witness was I
'eating him ''as a mass meeting" while =,
n another occasion he declared he had .,
0 desire "to be eaten up here" :,
However, while lengthy letters be 4
xeen Colonel Roosevelt and Senator =
latt and Colonel Roosevelt and Mr.. y
uigg were being read to the jury, Mr..
rims stepped upon the stand engaged n
,e witness in whispered conversation. y
he letters had 10 do with the relations :.
stween Colonel Roosevelt and Senator -
latt in regard TO legislative and politi- =, a.
Il affairs before, while and after the .I
'rmer was governor. :,
The colonel remarked during the day =
Iat he believed he had written 10000 :,
tiers upon various subjects while he !.
as governor and president. -