Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-04-21
Mr.. w. W. COrcoran .sInferyiewed-- by
Mr.. James r. Harvey

The New ork Tribune, in publishing an s'in-
terview" between Mr.. James L. Harvey and
Mr.W.W. COrcOran, critieizing District affairs,
does Eot seem TO be aware of the peculiar rela-
tons IN which Messrs. Harvey and Corcoran
have stood to each other and to the District
government as editor and proprietor, respec-
lively. of the bate Patriot newspaper; else we
should hardly have the Tribune speaking of the
utteranees at that interview a. the guarded
wen-weighed remarks" of dispassionate repre-
sentative men of Washington Gin condemna-
ton OF some of the financial doings of the Dis
triet government" Having the same fact in
view We are able to account for the milk in the
eoeoa-nut when Mr.. Harvey sedulOusly paves
the way to bring out MIR. Corcoran's opinions
upon the press OF Washington. Mr.. Corcoran
says TO Mr.. Harvey:
What we need here at the capital is one or
more able and independent journals; aud un-
less something is done in that direction the
GOOD name and fair fame OF the best citizens of
the DISTRICT VIII continue to be assailed IL thew
dare TO speak their mind in regard to matters
In which they are deeply interested. When L
returned from Europe, few month SINCE the
Washington press were unanimous i'm their kind
expressions toward me, and some went even to
TIE extent OF laudatiOn. Yet, because / pre-
Ierred TO dispose OF what was my own as to me
seemed best, instead of having il taken from
me, have been sssailed by this subsidized
press in the most unmeasured terms: and il at
my time OF life i were to enter the contest and
Just, these papers would not leave a shred of
my coat upon my back from the way would be
aSsailed.'
The plain English of this is that Messrs.
eOreoran and Harvey having failed ignomini-
oGSly In the business Of publishing newspaper
IN Washington, have come to the conclusion
that the people of Washington don't know how
to appreciate cable and independent Journals
Now we had in the Patriot with Mr. Corcoran
as chief proprietor, and Mr.. Harvey as editor.
arealization OF their ideas An 50 able and inda
pendent Jonrnai, yet il il safe to say that never
IN the history of Washington Journalism have
We had paper that 20 little represented the pub-
lac or was so devoted partisan of class interests
Ii took Tweeds money and advocated the
I"eeu pohties. IL was the organ here through
our OF John w Garrett and the Baltimore and
ONO railroad monopoly. IL was an obseauious
toady to its principal owner, and the bitter
enemy OF the District government-when it
iaiied TO get the patronage it wanted-and
that's about what it amounted TO in the wav of
an independent journal. That the press here
has assaulted Mr.. Corcoran will be news to the
people OF Washington, and it is strange that
MI COreoran, by making the assertion should
snow MS lack OF appreciation of the cordial
warmth CT the acknowledgements by our pa-
Pers OF the noble benefactions he has made.
But when, in continuation of the warfare made
by the Patriot against the work of improve
ment entered upon here, he allows his ex-editor
to Interview him for the columns of the Tribune
To assail other benefsctors of Washington,
II i but just TO remind him that the part he has
taken in making Washington what it should be
i not 20 vitality important as the unpretentious
work OF many other useful citizens who have
labored to that end. This point is well set forth
by the CAPITAL as follows:
Mr. CsTcoran made his enormous wealth
through the science Of banking and the enter
Prise and labor of other people. Now bank
ing Is not a very necessary or important
pursuit to humanity. Ii does not make two
blades of grass grow where one grew before
And the fact that his liberality took q monu-
mental rather than a useful turn tells the
story. The Corcoran Art Gallery and the
Louise Home and other charities are graceful
and beautiful things. But 80 far as the District
Is concerned We would rather Mr.. Corcoran had
built us railroad, or paved and drained the
streets about his unimproved property, or
started a huge mandatory. If even he had re-
tanned his money and benefited himself by the
profits. He belongs to a class of gentlemen who
nave liked, 10. these many years, with others
paying their taxes, and he Is FESTIVE ander a
law that calls for his share. That Is ALL"