Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-27
FREELY CONSULTED BOSS
WHILE HE WAS GOVERNOR
About Appointments and Legisla-
tive and Political Matters.
LETTERS ARE READ TO JURY
Witness Does Very Little Talking
During Day, Spending Most OF
Time identifying Correspondence
and Answering Questions.

SYRACUSE, n. Y. April 26.--Theo-
dore Roosevelt admitted under cross
examination to-day in the trial OF
William Barness suit for alleged libel
that while Governor he had freely con-
suited the boss" Of the Republican
party in New York State in reference
to appointment Of officials and on va
rious Legislative and political matters
The boss" named was Thomas c. Platt,
who a; that time represented New York
In the United States Senate
The former President said no took
the advice OF the Senator in many mat
ters. among them appointing Demo-
crat TO the office of tax commissioners
10 please Grady" whom tho Colonel
described al "a lieutcnant-boss' Of
Richard Croker, then leader of Tam
many Hall.
ASKS SENATOR'S ADVICE
ABOUT MANY THINGS
The testimony resulted from oues-
tons asked after letters OF n series
that passed between Colonel Roosevelt
and Platt had been read to the iurv
In these letters. both writer's discussed
all manner OF political and legislative
affairs. In ono Colonel Roosevelt
asked the Senator's advice about maxi
Ing speeches. In another Senator
Platt told the Colonel hc had received
a copy of n bill introduced by Grady.
In which the Senator said he considered
II lnadvisnble to give. Tammany from
S3,oooooo to sl2o0o.OO0 in an appropria-
ton to expend upon the water front of
New York, as 'it would simply be put
ting an unnecessary club in the hands
OF those people with which TO knock
our brains out"
With another letter, the Colonel sent
the senator proof OF his message to
the Legislature. which dealt with
among other things. public utilities. the
franchise tax. the trustS, Industrial
conditions and labor Tho part dealing
with tho trusts. the Colonel wrote. had
been submitted to several experts" in
Guiding Elihu Root President Hadley
of Yale; Professor jerks. of Cornell
and James a. Dill described In tho
letter as "a big corporation lawyer"
DID NOT WANT TO he
VICE-PRESIDENT OF U. g.
And In the last letter read, which
was dated in 1901, Colonel Roosevelt
told the Senator that he did not want
10 be Nice-Pr4sident of the United
states. as 1t was not an office in which
ne could do anything. The Colonel said
he should like to be Governor for
another term. and, "in spite of all work
and worry-very largely because Of
your constant courtesy and considera-
ton. my dear SENATOR have
thoroughly enjoyed being Governor"
The Colonel added that, not being n
mOnPNnl1kpr fol
TO leave his children the equivalent in
way of a substantial sum OF aetna,
achievement in politics or letters"
The Colonel did little talking to-doy
FOR the most part, he sat I'm the Wit
ness chair and listened to counsel for
william Barnes read the letters. which
lt was said, were furnished by n son OF
Air. Piatt. When the Colonel did tall,
IL was 10 identify the letters or answer
questions concerning them
me reading OF additional corrcspon-
dence that passed between Colonial,
roosevelt and Mr.. Platt will beptp To-
morrow.
INTRODUCTION INTO REConD
OF SEVERAL LETTERS
Colonel Roosevelts testimony to-day
was preceded by Introduction into tho
letters. written by Barnes to the Col
onel. discussed Governor Hughes. ana
SAID that, should Hughes be re-elected
ne would set up political machine
ana that all politicians who opposed
MN would have to Sneak in the back
door or get out OF politics."
colonel Roosevelt. in his reply, said:
Yesterday / saw Sherman Bennett.
George Smith. Mike Dady, Cocks and
hltchcock, chairman OF the national
committee. here have been carefully
gong INTO the Hughes matter since
saw you. l appreciate to the full the
iorce Oh the arguments you urged
against his denomination. 1t Is not
pleasant for me to support a man who
has wantonly behaved badly to tho
very men who did most In securing his
selection-I would approve his turning