, 1873-10-27
City Editor sfnnlks, OF tho Now York
Tribune, Interviewed LII tho Brook.
lVn Tui1.

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1yn Jnils
From Tie brooklyn Ar0us, Oct. "a.
Tho distinguished prisoner Ind been "bohind
tile bars only about half an hour when our rop-
rosentativo called. Ho occupied tho witnoHs
room, which WIS furnished with two cot beds
soatod himself at tho table, and, taking up thit
my library iB extensive" ~ ...~
noporter-Is this your first appearance al a
prisoner?
A1r. shanks-1t is. NY journalistic oxperl.
enco haa previously been variod by military IT.
rcsti but am Jail prisoner to-day for tho first
time.
Reporter What are tho prospects7
Mr.. ehauka-Extremely good for nights
lodging.
Roportor-You arc not looking woll, A1r.
Shanks.
Mr. shanks-I am not we'll. I have boen con-
fined to my bed for {. weok with intermittent
foyer. and nm not feeling at all robust.
Rcporter-Was not your commitment unox-
peetod?
Mr. shnn1sa-Vory much so !; but Judge Gil
bert positively refused postponomont until
could obtain counsel. This may ali be good law,
II Roporttor tor .bg; fho 1rsus would bo glad to pub
llah your Btatomont Us to tho uorits Of this case.
NGr. 6hankB-I have very little TO say. The
question iB simply thia: Arc tho writer's on d
Newspaper responsible for the utterances Of
lAht 1ouTukfs UT III t10 llhPeT 1t6Dll III every
woll-rosulnted office the writer's arc not known.
; Tho whole idon Of successful journalism is i'm
porRonal. Tho paper and not the writer should
DO responsible for what is published. The gen-
tlomon engaged on D paper as editorial writerH
arc frequently called upon to e1press yiows in
M article TINT they do not themselves hold ua
any other principle. tic Grand jury called
upon mo to give the namo of Tribune editorial
writer. refused. If tlley arc entitled to one
@t11z t013 k- all
structed mo to answer. still declined to give
tho nnmo OF tho writer OF certain Tribune
article, aud tho Judge committed me for con-
tempt.
Reporter-Hayo you aont for counscl9
Mr.. allanks-Ycs. tolographod to Now York,
and expect tho Iri6Mne's lawyer. G. A. Runkle,
will be over 10 Bco ms this afternoon.
Roporter-What are the antecedents In this
case?
Mr. shanka-The gist OF tho whole matter ls
Spraguo and Mills camo out, the Tribune, in
speaking Of the transactions, worry sharply criti-
clzed judge llcCuo. Taking tho statemonts of
Accountant Warren, showing how Ro1man had
mado good the sinking fund account Which ho
had robbed, the Tribune spoke Of the mattor
as tho compoundinE Of n felony, inas1nuch
as this was dealing with d thief and not
Furnishing him. The Trust Company was then
Of course Bomo Of our editorial and report0rinl
criticism naturally fell upon him. Judge AfcCuo
now seeks to get somebody indicted for that
criticism.
Roporter-Why does not Judge MoCue bring
suit against the Tribune Association2
Mr. Shanka-He has Ills alternative Of sueing
tho Tribune for 1ibci but i,e doesn't tako this
course. On the contrary, ho openly bonHta that
ho means to indict the Tribune and tho writer Of
this criticism, md forever after slale the ndc-
menta in their faces. 1lcCuo went before tho
last grand jury with precisely the same evidence
he has ut present. Ho asked them to in
dict. The grand jury, utter consideration, re-
fused to do so. Ho has now gone before this
Britton's hands. and is using all the machinery
at his command to secure scmo sort OF an indict~
mont. Flo cau get it, of cousso against tho
Tribune corporation, but not content with that,
ho wants to get at tue individual writer OF the
article in order to indict him. To aecure tho
namo Of that writer lie Las mo aubpnnncd, and
Insists that I slall give his nnme. Whom do
cline positively to do it, he puts mo In the atti-
tude Of showing contempt of Court. I have all
re6rect for tho Judiciary, but haven't for tho
individuals who conatruo law in this way.
neportor-How long do you expect to stny
here?
shanka-I expect to bc talton over tho river
tomorrow on IN order from Judge Davis. I
hayo reported at II o'clock to-day. I
shouldn't wonder il was committed for
contempt over there, too.
Tho entrance Of a Tribune reporter terminated
the interview. Alr. ShankB has sent for his
wife, aud that lady waH m0mentarlly expected
whom tho writer left the jail. Tllo distinguished
prisoner takea hiB imprisonment ph!l0aophlcally.