Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-22

to be taken that some one was leader OF
Tamany Hall then and that the defendent
learned there was an agreement between
the republican and democrat leaders.
COLONEL CROOKS FINGER
During this discussion Colonel Roose-
welt crooked up his index finger to sum
mon Mr.. Bowers to the witness chair.
Are you trying to help your lawyer
OUT asked Mr.. wins
mo" replied the witness, but | haven't
told all about the discussion upon tho
ethics of boss rule and upon dealings
with a boss other than Mr.. Barnes"
NO" said Mr. WINS 'and we are
trying to prevent YOU from doing So
The attorneys for both sides conferred
with Justice Andrews for several moments
at that point Everyone else In the room
started TO talk to his neighbor except
Colonel Roosevelt, who being in the wit
nessness chair had none. He spent his
time looking around the room at the
jury. the newspaper correspondents and
tho handful OF spectators
After an extended argument the court
announced that he question of admitting
testimony regarding things not mem
toned in the answer to the complaint
would be decided tomorrow when at
torneys for both sides will appear be-
fore him for conference. In the mea n
while he told tho attorneys they might
continue along another line.
Now Colonel Roosevelt" said Mr.
Bowers. is there anything you have
forgotten to state concerning the con-
versations YOU have had with Mr..
Barnes"
Yes" replied the witness Mr..
Barnes stated that II was essential to
protect the big business interests. be-
cause, unless they wore protected
they would not make contributions to
the party failing to protect them; that
without such contributions it was i'm
possible to carry on the organization.
and that without organization, with
out leaders, without bosses---he 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 tho party organ
ization, and you cannot run any or
ganization. YOU cannot have leaders.
unless YOU have money I believe
this conversation was over the fran
chise tax bill but in substance was re-
peated to me by Mr. Barnes on at least
dozen other occasions
Colonel Roosevelt said that in 1889 and
1870 Mr.. Barnes was surveyor of the port
at Albany, a federal office. He was
appointed by President Mckinley and
Colonel Roosevelt said he reappointed
him. He added that he was entirely
friendly with Mr. Barnes at that time.
as he looked forward to him developing
into the same kind OF leader as his
grandfather "Thurlow Weed had been
in the days Of the old Wing party
"All my pre- possessions were strongly
in Mr.. Barnes favor" the Colonel added.
81 correspondent with him before and
| after was President and Mr.. Barnes
visited me at the White House on a
number of occasions. Sometimes he
came with Mrs Barnes and sometimes
alone. After 1915 when Mr. Hughes be-
, came governor Of New York | spoke OF
! him several times to Nj Barnes on
matters at Albany. For instance on one
occasion | said to Mr.. Barnes that Mr.
Belmont. my former race commissioner
| had called upon me and said that he
| was much opposed to race track legisla
| ton He wanted an opportunity to state
| his opposition, hasing it primarily upon
| the fact that such legislation would de-
stroy breeding farms for thorouzhbreds
! throughout the State. Mr.. Belmont also
| said he would withdraw his opposition
! If he became convinced that any i'm
! proper methods We're being used to de-
! feat such legislation. I told Mr. Barnes
| about this and added that had Informed
! Mr.. Belmont that | was not prepared tC
| take "A stand ono way or the other. bu,
| that felt that Mr. Belmont was en-.
! titled to state his case. I told Mr.. Barnes
! would like him to see Mr. Belmont
about the matter. Mr.. Barnes replied
without expressing his personal view.
upon the legislation. that in his judg
ment it would have to pass, that the PEG
pie wished it, but that he would Sc,
Nj. Belmont,
| Later was informed that Mr.. Bel
| mont became convinced that improper
means were being used against the leyis
lation and
Mr.. WINS objected. The witness thel
read letter he said he had received
from Mr. Barnes about that time. Tn,
letter follows
Albany, n. Y. April ~. lGs
my dear Mr.. Roosevelt:
! In view Of the newspaper articles
which have been printed regarding GER
! tain legislation at Albany, | think ii i.
possible You may heve wrong impress
sion regarding the action which has beer
taken by me The rumors which wer,
circulated came out Of the fertile mind!
of newspapermen and Senator Agnev
| confronted me with the story. although
he had no grounds for so doing from an,
action Of mine, ! do not think it hardl,
necessary for me to write YOU this, but
thought, as | said above. a wrong i'm
preston may have been conveyed to YOU
mind. have done what | believe is RICH
in the matter. and although I have beer
severely criticised for it | would do $,
| believe it will work out all right anc
while 7 may he injured so far AS our hes
people are concerned it makes little diff
ference what Injuries mo and what doe
not, so long as 7 am able to keep m,
head above water"
copy Of a letter in reply was thei
read by the witness 1t was as follows
My Dear Barnes:-
~ have received through Southwicl
your letter of the goth. You need no
be in the least afraid of my falling T.
understand your position. I am conf
dent that whatever course YOU follow
is one that You believe to be the wis
and prosper course to take. When Agnev
sent word to me requesting me to ac
In the particular matter under discussion
! simply answered that had not at
tempted to interfere one way or the 9th
er, and would not attempt to interior
one way or the other, AS regards an