New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-12-13
'peciyirg the wropg-doers and allowing then !"
defend themselves against specific Charges. IL
would be beneath those gentlemen to say that they

nts nay wear ~ the matter is OF too serious
nature, and the charge is too comprehensive. II
any highly respectable and responsible party we're
to assert and print 10 grave manner that the pub.
fishers and booksellers were in the habit of pillcr
ing II each others stores, snd that though there
were exceptions to this theying, it was trae of 90
very many ct them, and those not the obscure or
uripfuentsl, as TO make it proper charge against
the Publishers Association as a whole We dare
say Mr. Putnam and Mr Appleton would be likely
to stand up for the honor of their guild, and de
mand naaes and specifications Tbs. demand in
view Of an squsl)y degrading imputation, we now
ADDRESS in behalf of the press 10 general, to Mr.
William H. Appleton and Mr.. GeorgeP Pu'nam
While waiting for the more precise specif-
cations. ard the supporting testimony on which
the Official represe nations OF the Book Publishers
A,sociation have seen fit to charge the newspaper
press in general and its prominent and iofuentia
neu bers in particular with one OF the base's, and
most degrading offenses again { honesty snd truth
of which journalism can be capable, it may be
proper to aualyze their accusation somewhat
closely by way of clearing the ground and render
Ing future discussions more pointed and con-
elusive. The charge brought is that of bribery;
but tie accusers--by whom we mean
the author of the accusation and those who
have ihtorsod ard published it-divide their
indictment into three heads, viz: l. bribery BY
advertising, in consideration of which puiis are
promised and given in the columns Of the same
journal; D. direct bribery, by paying sums of
money (6ye dollers is specified, as If il were the
most common price of a journalist) to the person
employ ed as critic in the journal whose notice is
desired and g. employ ing such critic as a reader
Of manus crpts, or in some kindred literary capa-
city.
With regard to bribery by advertising it will
cot we SUI pose, be enough for the representatives
of the Book Publishers to show that book is ad
YER ised and reviewed, either favoraoly or at con-
siderable length, in the sams Newspaper. 1t
will. for Instance, by no means establish that Ta.
Ertning Post has been bribed by Messrs. Banks,
Gould & Co because an Advertisement of theirs
Yesterday sppe ared in one part of that paper and
highly commendatory review of one of their books
in another part Before the Book Publishers As
ISOLATION can make out case against The Post on
that point, they must prove that there has been
DO itive agreement the part OF its conductors In
consideration of so much advertising from Messrs.
Gould Banks & Co, to give none bu. favorable
notices of their publications; or at least they
must prove that the conductors of that journal
are in the habit of making that sort Of contracts
In respect to this kind of bribery, the evidence
must be clear, direct, and positive, or the Book
Publishers will occupy a very disasreebe attitude
before the public.
Az for the second specification, that of bribing
the critics OF the prominent and influential, as
well as of the less important journals with sums
of five dollars and upwards, the point is much
siupler and easier to make out Let US have the
attestaton Of any respectable book publisher that
be has paid five doars, or any larger sum, to Mr. A
or Mr. as bribe for favorable review of book
and that the journal by which Mr.. A or Mr.. b 10
employed has subsequently published such re-
view, and a strong case will be made, until Mr.
or Mr.. b, or their journals, shall prove the
attestation false or erroneous. But on this headt
must be remembered that none but good and posi-
tive evidence can be admitted Hears.y, insnus-
tom, and anonymous runners will not do
As for the third specific alton it may be we'll for
the public to understand the point little more
distinctly Each large book publisher, sometimes
because be is too busy, sometimes because he do
sires bis own Judgment to be assisted by the ad.
vice of person of more scholarly learning, em-
ploys some literary man, or sometimes even more
than one, to examine works offered for publica-
tiop and to give an opinion as to their valds and
the probable advantage of bridging them out.
Ibis, as will be understood on moments consid-
GRAFTON, is very responsible office, requiring great
knowledge, sound judgment, and perfect honesty,
for it's proper discharge. No publisher would em
ploy in that capacity man whose opinion he could
suppose to be Influenced by any but the most just
reasons, for otherwise by following that opinion
he would often be exposed to heavy loss The
fact that gentleman has long been trusted in
such capacity by any publishing house able to
select and to pay for it's literary employees, must
therefore be highly favorable to the reputation Of
that gentleman for integrity, independence and
sOundpess of judgment; and if we we're in search
of competent and trustworthy critic for lead
ing Journal, we should regard il as great
reconmt ndation for q candidate that he held
such relation to such q house. Nor should
we hold his continuance in the former position to
be any objection to his attempting the new one.
That an honest man should read some books aud
express bis true opinion upon them under the
responsibility connected with their publication,
can certainly form no reason why be should after
ward express false opinions on those books or on
Others which he had not read before their publ
catcn. 1t is, then we think, clear that the simple
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