The Tiffin tribune. [volume] (Tiffin, Ohio) 1848-1859, 1857-01-23
The Press and the 0ongrsssiOn al
Investigating Committee.

Notwithstanding the disclaimers Ot
hoporable members Of Congress, il is con
ceded that the accusations Of the New
York Times induced the appointment Of
the committee to investigate the alleged
Congressional coruptious. Mr.. Ray
mond, having been summoned as wit
ness before that committee, and having
only such evidence to olTsr as he derived
from other persons, in whose statements
he places implicit confidence, eecliues to
give those statements as Of his own per
sopal knowledge; and for so doing is ar
raigned by some Of his contemporaries as
"baoking down" from his boasted posi-
tions as fearless accuser Of wrong in
high places. "A more uniusti6able charge
could not we'll have been made II is
impossible that journalist should have
personal knowledge Of every statement
made public through his columns
though he may be morally certain OF the
entire reliability Of the sources through
which be derives his information.
But additional complaint is made, be-
cause be editor Of the Times refused To
reveal the name Of his correspondent,
while still assuming to himself the respon
sibility Of his communication, affirming,
from 6rstto last, that "he had sufficient
information to satisfy him Of the truth
of the charges made in his journal" In
this, we think Mr.. Raymond did perfect
sly right. So long as he assumed the res
possibility Of the statements in his pa.
per. it was his duty TO refuse to give up
the name Of bis informant, unless releas.
cd from such obligation by the latter
The correspondent is responsible to the
editor, aud the editor to the public, OF
the aggrisved party The relations Of
secrecy and confidence between the pub,
Usher aud reporter, enable the former tc
obtain intelligence which would otherwise
be inaccessible The avenue to impor.
tant facts would be closed il these neoes
sary precqlt ons were not taken. Besides
information is frequently obtained from
private but reliable sources, which il
would be breach Of confidence to be-
tray
Mr.. Simonton, the Times correspon
dent, unbesitatiugly gave the committed
all the information OF which he was cog.
nisaut, but insisted. as Mr.. Raymond had
done, on the right and duty Of newspa-
lpers to act on moral convictions without
holding themselves responsible to presen
the proofs. unless specific charges are
made against individuals By name.
Enough has been elected to give the
committee a clue to further testimony
which may result in important develop
ments. Mr.. Sweeney, Of New York
who served as Assistant Doorkeeper o,
the House, was examined on Friday
last. lis reported that Mr. Chester, o
the Philadelphia Inquirer, Mr.. Trip.ett
formerly Chief Clerk Of the Pension Of.
fee, and Ne. Chubb. Blnkor, Of Wash
ington. have also been summoned. Fol
the honor Of ske country, and Of Con
gress especially. it is 20 be hoped tha
the corruption charged may have beer
painted blacker than the reality; bu
since the public mind has been directed
to the subjected. lot us have all the facts
II the corruption really exists, let it be
brought to light, that the guilty may b.
exposed aud punished, and their exam
pie remain terror to evil doors to the
future.