The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-20
Barnes Counsel to In
trod ice Copies of
Newspaper Article
Attributed to Colonel
JURORS SPEND
NIGHT AT HOME
Rumor That the Talesmen Would Be
Kept in Custody After the Taking
of Testimony Was Begun Is Au-
thoritatively Denied To-day
By associated Press.

Syracuse, April 20.-Counsel for
William Barnes in his suit for alleged
libel against Theodore Roosevelt rest
ed their case to-day after they had of.
fered evidence calculates to prove
publication of the alleged libelous
statements uttered against the former
chairman of the Republican State Com
mittee by the former President of the
United States.
Mr.. Barnes counsel placed only one
witness on the stand. He was John
McGrath, Colonel Roosevelt s private
secretary. He testified that he gave
out the statement complained of to
newspaper reporters at Oyster Bay.
The case of the plaintiff was rest
ed after counsel for both sides had de-
livered their opening addresses to the
jury and one witness was heard
William H. Van Benschoten, for the
defense, described the colonel as the
champion of good and honest govern
ment and said that he had been
prompted to make the statement by
the belief that there was corruption
aud rottenness in the administration
York.
Roosevelt Takes the Stand
Roosevelt went upon the witness
stand to defend himself in the suit. In
reply to a question he said he was the
man who made the statement com
planned of. He added: 81 am 5S years
old and have a wife and six children. +"
In reply to questions by Mr.. Bow
ers he told in firm clear voice the
story of his early life. Then he sketch
ed his political career. He told of his
appointment on the Civil Service Com
mission, to the office of police commits
sioner of New York and Assistant Sec
retary of the Navy He then told of
organizing with General Wood of the
Rough Rider regiment to participate
in the war with Spain.
Tells His Record in Spanish War
Mr.. WINS, Mr.. Barnes attorney,
objected to this line of testimony and
Mr.. Bowers said he was trying to show
just who the witness was and withdrew
the question. The witness then describ-
ed his first engagement in the Spanish
war and Mr.. WINS again objected.
The court did not rule and Colonel
Roosevelt continued: ''We then moved
forward toward Santiago"
81 object to that said Mr.. WINS,
what difference does it make where
he moved tot | want to shorten this
trial as much as possible.
Justice Andrews said the witness
had better eonfne himself to the is.
sue.
The first witnesses, it was said
would be newspaper reporters to whom
Colonel Roosevelt gave the statement
upon which the suit is based and to
whom he is said to have made certain
verbal statements. Mr.. Barnes coun-
sci also had ready to introduce in evi
denee nearly hundred photographs of
newspapers containing this statement
and others which it claimed Colonel
Roosevelt issued. The attorneys said
they expected to show that Colonel
Roosevelt for. many years has exhibited
malice toward Mr.. Barnes in written
and verbal statements.
Large Crowd Again on Hand
AS was the case yesterday, a large
crowd gathered at the Court House
early in the hope of being permitted
to enter the room where tho trial is in
progress before Supreme Court Justice
William s. Andrews Members of the
jury, which was completed yesterday,
were permitted to spend the night at
their homes. Il was rumored to-day
that there was plan afoot to keep
the jury in custody after the taking
of testimony had begun. 1t was au-
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