The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-30

The COvODE Investigating Committee, whose
inquiries have extended to such n variety of SUBJ
jects has succeeded in elciting much information
about the management of political newspapers
The developments upon this point are not calcula-
ted to regain for the press that public confidence
which it has usually enjoyed, but which has been
latterly, in a measure, withdrawn from it. The
dlsreputable combinations into which, with the
knowledge and sanction of the Government, the
public printers have, from time TO time entered
with the editors of the organ in Washington, and
the compulsory contributions levied upon these
parties for the support of partisan papers else
where, have been fully detailed by several wit
nesses. But it appears also from the evidence,
that the Federal Capital is not the only quarter tc
which political editors look for illegitimate assis
lance, when subscription lists fall short. Their,
are numberless journals throughout the country
which are now maintained in part or altogether
hy the money aud Offices which the State and mu.
nicipal authorities hcstow upon their proprietors
as mere grauitIcs. A newspaper has, of course,
the right to obtain, if it can, public, as well as
private, patronage; but it is under an equal obi
cation 10 seek both by fair means, and it deserves
the contempt which, sooner or later awaits it. il
it plumbers either the community or individuals.
Ii is dishonOred, not less by the acceptance OF
drafts upon the Government treasury for money
1t has not earned, than by the discreditable servi-
ccs for which such payments are the compensation.
Though the nature of these services has always
been pretty well understood the testimony taken
by the Committee throws still clearer light upon
the subject. One Of the witnesses, Mr. RICE. a
former proprietor of The PmnSyzpanian, smoke of
a political paper and political machine as
being one and the same thing, and this nomen-
catnre sufficiently indicates the character of the
work usually performed by such agencies. He
was questioned about the profits of The PenRsyIca-
man and replied that ''the ordinary business of a
newspaper did not give it support" and the
following is an extract from the concluding part
OF his testimony
When you sold it for $4,000 had the purchaser
any expectation of receiving those Posofice blanks2
a That cannot say.
- y Hoo came purchaser to b1W paper for 80 OOO
that gaS losing all he time S''
A. o9s political machine, and used for polit-
y Then this political paper
A. II ''dS political machine.
Now political machines" of a certain sort NAV
institutions but it is scarcely possible to imagine
anything more worthless and disreputable than
Journal to which this phrase is fifty applicable
10 run IN the ruts Of one well-worn track is its
oaiy task, and to reach at last the rendczro,,o
where successful partsans make distribution Of
the spoils, is lis only object II mnst odrooo+o
party men and party measures be they whom and
what they may it must suppress its clearest con.
vic'onS, defend Ubiquitous acts. and promise
threaten, and cajole, at the dctation Of thos,
whom it has consented to serve. Instead q
honest criticisms and candid INDICTMENTS which i
pro esses to pass upon current affairs it does MOI
hesitate, when 1t suits its purposes to inculcate
Opinions 1t knows to be erroneous. and encopraof
sentiments it believes to be false This il tbe
work which political machines are expected TO do
and it is for this they are rewarded. If there
were only few newspapers in the country which
could properly he designated rs The Peans,H-
0dntdR has been by its quondam owner it MIGHT
not matter much. But, unfortunately, their
number is not small, and it has been upon the
increase for some time past To this fact the
waning iafiuence of the press is mainly attribute
bic. New papers spring into existence, the Cir
culation of the older journals expands. and as
every day adds to their facilities for obtaining
news from distant quarters, they have be-
come more absolutely indispensable to every
member of the community. Bat, notwith-
standing this, they fail TO exercise a
corresponding influence upon the public mind
Men speak of the press now in terms which few
persons would have openly used concerning it.
fifteen or twenty years ago. They read its effu-
SONS with smile, and assume gyima fqcje. that
1t has some petty ends Of its own in view or some
party successes at heart TO which il wonId sacri-
hee truth and make right subservient. If ;ourp.I-
ISM is to hold its just rank among the higher and
more honorable callings, it should at once he res
cued from Its present false position. Those who
pursue 1t should cease to be sIbeva,s of ,,ood Oh
drawers of water for unscr,,nrlo,,, o,,, -.
ing parties 1t is of the first roca,,;., 90 Il
"ouiu oiiiPi'sh any good or command any re.
spec', mat they should be Independent Their on
provai and condemnation must be the off,nr;,,,, Is
honest convictions if they are ever again 70 -
any weight whatever in the commute
acter for integrity is even more essential :, =,
press than reputation for ability and leorn;,,..
So soon as men satisfied that it is neither mo.
cenary nor disingenuous they will cease to be in.
different to its counsels The people of this coun-
try are partial to free discussion and there are few
topics upon which they do not like to hear debate.
ana any one who discourses of public affairs with
ou' uis'ortng facts or wlfulIy misrepresenting CD
poneh'S may be sure of patient hearing. Nor
VIII an independent journal fail tn obtain in time
all the support it may deserve. Parties NAV re.
fuse to besto~ upon it any portion of their stron
age and The sect that is offended to.dav and ,,,o
cnque that is angered tomorrow by the freedom
WIN which they are treated, may hesitate 70 .n..