The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-04-21
Says He Wouldn't Allow Men Higher Up" to Say Who Should Be His Choices for Appointive Of fees Tells of Cause of Hostilities Between Barnes and Hughes Describes Racing Bill Fight.

Syracuse, N. Y., April 2i- On the witness stand today in the $5O,O0O libel suit brought against him by William Barnes. IT,, Col. Theodore Roosevelt unfolded an amazing tale of the s'inside" politics of the Re publican machine in New York State prior to and after his in cumbencY as governor. He related that leaders of the party had attempted to nonli- mate men for offices at the gov ernor's disposal. He told of his ultimatums to these leaders that he didn't intend any man should say whom I should ap- point.s'
 Col. Roosevelt gave what he claimed to be the details Of the election by Barnes Republi- eans'' assisted by Murphy Democrats of an official lead CT of the Republican party in the legislature of New York the cause of the hostl1ities be- tween Barnes and Governor Hughes the defeat of the Hart Agnew racing bill by the Re publican organization and the fight he said the combined Democratic and Republican machines, the latter led by MT. Barnes, made against a direct primaries legislation. He also identified a letter written by MT. Barnes in which the latter told him the idea of getting rid of bosses is absurd so long as you have party govern ment. ?
 Thomas F Smith. secretary of Tam many Hall for the past 20 years, ar rived at the court house to-day in answer to a subpoena served upon him by representative Of Col Roose- velt's counsel. The subpoena calls for MT. smiths attendance on three days This was taken as an indica- ton that his examination would be a thorough one.
 Both principals appeared in couzt early to-day while their respective counsel were discussing in chambers questions which should or should not be admitted in evidence. After tfe conference was over it was announc- ed that the court had decided not to admit evidence regarding certain things not specified in the pleadings. This effectualIy barred the door to ad- mission of a great mass of evidence dealing with politics. political meth ods and MT. Barnes alleged conver- sations with Col Roosevelt on party organizations.
 When Col. Roosevelt had taken the witness stand to continue his evidence he was questioned by MT. Bowers Col Roosevelt said:
 q had conversations with MT. Barnes regarding the gubernatorial election of 1908. These took place in Washington and possibly Oyster Bay, too.''
 Col. Roosevelt was shown a letter. s'I talked with MT. Barnes on the sub ject of this letter. he said.
 MT. Twins then read the letter and objected to it being admitted in tevi- dence on the ground that it was i'm material Justice Andrews read the letter over and overruled the obiec- tion.
 MT Bowers than picked up a second letter. introduction of which also was objected to by MT Wins. The objee- ton was also overruled. '.Now, what were the conversations, Col. Roosevelt, you had with MT Barnes?'' asked MT. Bowers. Mir. Twins interposed another objection, which was overruIed.
 Col. Roosevelt, answering the ques- tion, said:
 1.-The conversations had were in re- gard to Mir Barnes campaign for the party. I judge they were continued conversations talked over a letter I wrote in 1900 to Senator Platt- I re- peatedly referred to the domination of the party by. Senator Platt and MT aBrnes discussed the righteousness of boss rule.''
 At this some of the spectators 1 Ccontinued on Page 143