Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-25
Politicians Speculate on Bene-
fits to Come to Mr.. Roose-
Welt From the LineIIght.
HE REVELS. THEY SAY.
IN PUBLICITY IT BRINGS
Trial Recognized as Having 1mpor-
tant Bearing on New York
State Politics.

Politicians here are watching with keen
interest the progress of the Barnes
Roosevelt libel suit in Syracuse and an
alyzing its possible effect upon the
coloncls political prospects. Realizing
that the case is not over Yet and that the
verdict of the jury will have largely to
do with final judgment to the political
effect. they admit that up to this time the
colonel is deriving advantage.
This benefit, the politicians say. lies
mainly in the fact that the suit AFFORDS
him splendid opportunity to get into
the limelight and to disseminate at a
proptious time his views on political NOR
ality Through the medium of the press
he is securing an audience such as no
private writings or lecturng could pos
sibly give him, daily hearing before all
the readers of newspape in the land.
The press associations are carrying col
umns of the testimony and it falls out
that he is the principal. almost the sole.
figure in each days proceedings.
Colonel in His Element.
That this is nuts to the colonel the
politicians admit without cavil From
all the reports he is in his element
and is enjoying the situation to the
utmost, failing not to make the most
| of the opportunity so happily present
ed to him by his adversary. Some poll
ticians are inclined to criticise Mr..
Barnes for thus making opening
for him. while others say that it is
better that the case should come up
at this time rather than on the eve of
the next campaign for selection of
presidential candidates.
1t is pointed out, however, that
while the advantage gained by the
colonel through this recrudescence of
publicity may fade in the intervening
months. by the same token, if he is
worsted in the suit. the ill-effect will
also have. in measure. worn off be-
fore campaigning time comes around,
SO, in that regard, it is kind Of
horse-and-horse proposition.
Some of the comments OF observers
and analysts of the trial throw an in
teresting side light upon the possible
consequences to the coloners political
possibilities. Here are extracts from
some of these analyses:
ed to be not a trial of the libel suit
against Theodore Roosevelt but an oc-
casion for Col. Roosevelt to reveal
his innermost thoughts upon men and
morals.
The courtroom vibrated with the
coloneIs tremendous personality. If
the presiding Juice may be excepted.
every one in the courtroom was more
or less affected by it,
Gets Out of Corners.
The fact is Mr.. WINS crowded the
colonel into a good many corners. but
it was just as easy to keep him there
n m hnl
conda BY guile or main strength the
colonel forced or writhed his way out"
1T was difficult to remember that
Mr. Barnes was the plaintiff in the
case. since the colonel. even under the
most trying of cross-examinations.
simply dominated the place. 1t was
like trying to harness the whirlwind."
"Mr WINS tried to impress the jury
that Col Roosevelt had been utterly
insincere in his attitude on campaign
contributions, and that his relations
with bosses were dictated by the most
selfish considerations.
Mr. Wins emphasized his point that
Col Roosevelt had adopted his pose Of
world monitor and had set up In
faIlibIe standard of right; that every
one who differed with him was most
unworthy person, if not actually
licked
HE 1ntIinate0 IN MS questions ina
| the colonel was a particularly hard
| handed boss himself in 1908 by dictat-
| ing the nomination of Taft and making
the local bosses toe the mark
| Winning Over the Jurors.
| One report went on to tell how some
| of these hits by the opposing counsel
| would be dissipated by the colonel
wheeling around with a roar and vio-
| lent gesture, and parrying with an as
| sertion of self-justification to which
| some of the jury would actually nod
acquiescence. Can you beat it," ask
| the opposition politicians. with a shrug
of despair.
| The deep interest of the politicians
In the progress and outcome of this
| extraordinary suit arises from the pro-
| found conviction of some and the fear
| Of many others that Col. Roosevelt will
| yet nave to be reckoned with in the Sc
lection of a republican presidential
| candidate.
| While it is true that politicians are
! assured by word of mouth from the
| colonel that he will not be a candidate
- the nomination., from others come
testimony that the colonePs course and
| method indicate clearly to them that he
Is even now in the running. Moreover,
| his assurances of non-activity are tak-
en- with a grain of salt when his SOL
emn announcement on the night Of his
election in 1908. that he would not
seek another term, is contrasted with
his actual candidacy of 1912
| There is no sort of doubt that many
| republicans are deeply fearful and
many democrats are in like measure
| convinced and pleased that the colonel
will be potent factor in the next re-
publican national convention.
Effect in New York.
Dissecting the bearing Of the suit upon
politics. It is found that whatever 1t NAV
be on national and presidential affairs. it
n has immediate importance in relation to
New York state politics. 1t is said tha t
the outcome of the trial may determine
who is to be boss in New York state, and
who will influence the makeup of the
New York delegation to the convention
in 1916.
Politicians declare that if Barnes
loses the suit he may be forced to relin-
quish his hold on the machine in which
! event there is no doubt In their minds
that Col. Roosevelt will attempt to seize
the leadership If Barnes is indicated
of the coonel's cha arges of affiliation wit h