New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-21
conversations he had had with Senate
III nrnnn q plntt and nfhprS.

conversations ne nau hhu Win S'
Thomas G. Plat and others.
Mr. Roosevelt got no further down III
his recital of these conversations from
the time he was elected Governor than
the fight on the anti-racetrack Dill, IN
1908. He will continue the story to,
morrow down to the time the alleged
libelous statement was issued, last
July.
According to the Colonel, Mr.. Barnes
on several occasions told him It was
essential to protect big business inter-
ests. because, unless they were pro
tected. they would not make any pollt-
cal contributions, and without such
contributions it would be impossible
to carry on political organizations
while without organizations and bosses
the government could not exist
The people we're not FIT to govern
themselves, the Colonel said Nj Barnes
had told him.
The main points in political history
to-day were: The fight on the FRANCHISE
tax law, the attempt made to get COY
ernor Roosevelt to reappoint Louis r:
Pawn, as Insurance Superintendent, and
the attempt TO defeat the antl-race-
track law.
When it came TO permitting the con-
versations that the Colonel wanted to
repeat bearing on the bipartisan com
bination at Albany In the days when
he wa Governor. Justice Andrews
ruled that it was competent evidence
if il tended tn nrove the alleged libel
Gus utterances and had been put in the
pleadings OF the defence. 1t was not IN
the pleadings, but the Colonel got some
Of il in, anyway, in spite of the TACT
that decision was reserved on the point
as TO whether there were precedents
that such matter outside the answer
could be put in.
Mr.. Roosevelt stated that he had
been elected Governor in 1898, and be-
fore the expiration of his term elected
Vice-President on the Republican ticket
with President Mckinley, but he
served his full term as Governor. He
told of taking Office as Vice-Presldent
on March 4, 1901, and serving until the
death of President Mckinley in Sep
TENDER Of that year.
Witness said he did not go to Wash
ington TO live there until March or 3.
lie remained only a few weeks, until
after the Senate adjourned, and then
returned to Oyster Bay. lie did not go
to Washington again until after be be-
came President.
The Colonel told Of being in Vermont
when Mckinley was shot, OF going to
Buffalo and remaining there until the
wounded President was supposed to be
recovering, and then going to the Adj
rondacks He told Of serving as Presl-
dent from McKinleys death until March
I 4. 1909, and the me- gong to Africa and
Europe, whence he returned about June
20, 1910.
4 "Since that date" said the witness
81 have engaged in the work Of writing
| have at times been active in politics
and ! went in the fall Of 1913 to South
America, returning in May, 1914, &c
New York, going as head OF scientln'
expedition"
Always New Yorker.
Colonel Roosevelt was then led 20 tel
Of his nomination for President by the
Progressives in 1912 and his defeat
He had lived all his life in the STATE
of New York, his ONE bell. either II
New York City or Oyster Bay.
81. was elected from New York CITY
TO the Legislature, but was residen
of New York City during my time as
Police Commissioner, and when | raj
for Mayor" said the witness. my frs
Office was in Oyster Bay, in 1880.
have been most of the time since thel
resident OF Oyster Ba:."
Counsel then took up the relation
between Colonel Roosevelt and William
Barnes.
Q-Do you remember when you frs
made his acquaintance A.-No, but
believe ! had made his acquaintanc
before ran for Governor; | certainl
knew a good deal about him; but m
first distinct remembrance of him l
during the campaign when | was run
ming for Governor.
DO you recall at all how yo
happened 10 make his acquaintanc
when you were candidate for Gov
ernor? A-Yes; he was chairman o
some committee at headquarters, an
| saw him there.
Q.-Where were those headquarters
Al think they were at the old FIftl
Avenue Hotel in New York.
Q.-After you were elected Governo
did YOU meet Mr.. barnes, and whe
and where? Al saw him very oftel
after was elected Governor, meetin
him in various places. but especially
in the Executive Chamber at the Cap
itol and at the Executive Mansion, an
communicated with him by writing
also.
Odd you have any conferences o
conversations with MIR. Barnes afte
YOU became Governor, and say, durin
the winter and spring OF 1899? A
had q number, larger number OF con
ferences with him than with any o
the other organization leaders, excep
Mr.. Platt or Mr.. Odell and certain
members of the Legislature, and
think | had more conversations wit
him than | did with Mr. Odell, but
could not be sure.
Q.-What was the general nature 0
the conversations that you had wit
Mr.. Barnes? A.-There were discus
sions, political discussions. for n
most part discussions about matter
arising in connection with myself an
Senator Plat. Senator Plat being the
the leader. or boss, Of the organizs
ton. and | being Governor.
Q. Did you confer with Mr.. Barne
or talk with Mr.. Barnes on legislatiy
matters and executive matters? A
discussed both matters with him; ] dis
cussed with him most of the impOrtan