The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-13

The GOVERNMENT AND TIE PREss.-Since the
commencement Of the rebellion the immense
influence possessed by the newspapers, instead
OF being source Of strength to the government,
has unfortunately only contributed to weaken
and embarrass it. With the best intentions for
the most part, their views as to the military
policy to be pursued have been so conflicting
that the administration has been driven to COM
init serious plumbers from the pressure brought
to bear upon it by some Journals. The reserve
which the results Of these mistakes imposed on
the heads Of departments has in turn led to the
circulation of the most contradictory statements
and rnmors, all protesting to emanate from
authoritative sources. Besides the trouble to
which the refutation Of these has subjected
them, they have been further embarrassed by
the indiscretion Of other newspapers which, in
disregard Of an understanding arrived at with
them, did not scruple to publish prematurely,
and for the information Of the rebels, full
details regarding the great naval expedition.
All this has led to very serious Inconvenience
and embarrassment and has been viewed with
the greatest concern by those who have the
cause of the Union at heart.
To put stop, if possible to state of things
so damaging to the government as we'll as to
the real interests of the press the editors of the
leading newspapers held conference on the
subject with Secretary Cameron last week, dur
ing his brief stay in the city. Various sugges-
tons were made, all having for object the carry
ing out in a form adapted to republican notions of
the Napoleenc idea Of converting the press into
sort of intellectual army, lending its combined
force and aid to the government. The only
plan Of this sort, in our opinion, which is entire
ly free from the objections that will be raised
by the sclishness and jealousy of particular
interests, is that which we sketchcd out on
Monday last. the government will establish
special bureau at Washington, where the
news of the different departments which is
ready for communication to the public will be
sent by two O'Clock each day, the representa-
tives of the press would, by assembling there
at that hour, obtain all that is real
ly authoritative and reliable for transmission
| to their different journals. This would spare
| the public the anxiety arising from conflicting
! and unfounded rumors, and would put an end
| to good deal of the Wall street gambling and
| swinaling to which the authorship Of the major
| part f these cdndrds is to be traced. But a
| still more important result would be the unity
! and harmony that it would introduce into the
relations existing between the government and
| the press. In crises such as that through
| which we are passing, it is of the most urgent
! necessity that the organs of public opinion
should have as prompt access rs possible to au-
| thoritative information on the affairs of the
country This can only be obtained by ena-
bling tho government to rely implicitly ON the
| good faith and prudence Of the press The
plan just suggested accomplshes that object
by taking from journals that are not managed
| with discretion all temptation to fabricate 60
vernment news. We trust that the authorities
in Washington will be induced to view it in the
same light US we do, and that steps will be at
once taken to carry it into execution.