New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-03-18
self, there Is at any rate no proof of it, and we
do pot think IL Ia probable.

do not think 10 is probable.
We have no desire to increase the mOrtica-
ton which this disgraceful affair must cause
the editor of The Times but in the interest or
reputable and useful journalism it seems to us
that the circumstance ought not to pass with
ont remark. The Times gave currency to the
most r,IinOus charges against Millers personal
character, and profcssed its ability to make
."them good" When the editor and proprie-
tor were summoned to produce their evidence
before an authorized committee of inquiry
they refused Miller might sue them for Libel
if he chose, but under no circumstances would
they produce their witnesses. That is to say,
they would let the suit practically 90 by de-
fault so that though he might recover dam
ages, he could never recover his character.
He could not repcl the accusations without
knowing upon what evidence they rested, or
confronting their authors. He must remain,
whether guilty or innocent the victim OF
anonymous assailants. We need not waste
words in exposing the wrong of this position,
so intOlerable to the American sentiment OF
fair play. 1t is unjust to the accused, because
it gives him no opportunity of defense; ana
it is unjust to the public because it obstructs
But the error of The Times has been signaliy
illustrated by the sequel. The reporter who
was employed to hunt up facts about Mlllcrs
alleged extOrtiOns swears that the result Oh
his search did not justify The IimeS's editorial
statements; and the person whom Ihe Times
trusted to make these bitter attacks in Its
editorial columns proves to have been reck-
less ignorant, and we are afraid we must say
unprinciplcd hack, who wrote for pay on both
sides at once, bore an assumed name, and re-
tracts all his charges as soon as they are put
to the test "He prOfessed to be well informed"
SAYS The Times, "and we believed him." Well,
You see he was either not well informed,
or he was liar and knave, and IN
any case he was clearly not person to be
trusted on the editorial page of newspaper.
Is it the custom of The Times to let anybody
who processes to be well informed use its
pages to assail personal and official character
Is it the custom of The Times to accept con-
tributions such as those of Mr.. Ballard
Browning without knowing anything about
the writer is it the custom of The Times,
whenever it "belicves " q man thief to call
him one without waiting for prOOff How
many editorial contributors to that paper
skulk under false names and write on both
sides for hire And what becomes of the
excuses of The Times for Withholding
the names of its witnesses? "Tho case
against Miller is already proved" said
the editor, "and you do not need
I" my witnesses - on the contrary the evidence
elected by the committee has induced one of
these very witnesses to retract. The busl-
"ness of my informants would be ruined IL L
"tOld who they were;" if his informants are
like Ballard Browning, the sooner their bust
ness is ruined the better.
The press has a great duty to perform in
exposing fraud and denOuncing rOgues. 1t
was once the good fortune of The Times to do
this service with exceptional success and
under exceptional circumstances. We joined
hands with it cordially i'll 80 doing But
it has fallen into reckless and violent habits
which are not only destroying its own influence,
but bringing discredit upon the whole pro-
fcssion If an editor IL to print charges which
he cannot substantiate, on the bare word OF
strangers whose names he cannot reveal, or
does not know, the term newspaper attack"
will become synonymous with malicious libel,
and journalists will be looked upon as the
pests of society. The Times has done itself
more injury by the Miller case than 1T can
repair by years Of decency and caution. We
have no opinion to express az yet upon the
guilt or innocence of the Superintendent of
Insurance, but nothing Tie Times may here
after say about him can easily affect the
public Judgment. That paper has drawn Its
own fangs.