New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-05-18

face In BLACK ana White, tOan ny IAooe
cast abroad upon that uncertain element,
the air, and therefore are more willing to
modify the latter than the former. in def
erence to the additional argument. They
expect allowances to be made for the ex
citemen. of conversation. For this very
reason the volatility Of verbal express
sion-inte-v;ews are frequently liable to
objections, as when one Of the comforting
parties is either tricky man or an over
impulsive one. The former may after
ward explain away every important con-
eessiou he may have made. while the lat
ter is apt 70 grasp at fancied admissions
and take things tor granted, unless very
positive language is used. Moreover, a
very slight verbal deviation from exact
ness in reporting the result Of an inter-
view may sometimes produce serious con-
sequences. For these reasons the custom
has gradually arisen among prudent peo-
pie to commit to writing, while
the impression was still fresh, the
exact language used in all interviews,
where matters of consequence were in
VOWED. And this brings US 10 the new
Specification in which the word is used,
especially in political circles. This seems
10 be a catechetical conference between
an agent Of the press and some public or
official character. il which the former
asks questions on matters Of general in
tegest with a view to publication. Such
interviews are very often sought Of late by
10th parties: the public man desiring to
make known his sentiment on such topics
less formally than by public speech, and
less obtrusively than by published ad-
dress: the agent Of the press being in
search Of interesting matter to fill up his
paper. Sometimes such agents are labor
ing after subjects to. afford texts for nu-
merous lengthy leading articles: witness
the recent interview between reporter Of
the Picay.ne and Governor Kellogg,
which has furnished that very thorough
Journal with editorial matter ever since.
and which. like an iil-baked. old-fash.
Toned appie-pie. seems likely to hold out
unit! even those by whom it is regularly
and persisteu:ly served up. discover that
it is mouldy.
This certainty Of immediate publication
has caused another modification OF the
political interview. and very important
one. Ii fact it does away with the need
Of those concerned in it viewing each
other a; all. 1t is only necessary for the
one party to PROFOUND in writinSa set Of
questions. which the other answers at
leisure. thus doing away with the very
advantage which gave rise to the custom.
and imposing sham on the public.
Truly this substitution has been
almost forced upon politicians by
the sinis.e. views with which inter
views have been too often obtained by
partisan opponents il search of political
capital. IN such cases it would be as IN
wise to grant it as it is unfair to ask
genuine unprepared interview. Not one
man in thousand is cool enough. wary
enough to do justice to himself under such
circumstance. The most self-possessed
is in danger Of being entangled i'll speech.
But the Gu: and dry. so-called. interviews
which this abuse Las led to. when general
ly understood to be such. have no value
whatever. except to furnish matter tas
mentioned above: to stranded newspapers.
and conversation to lille people. And the
holding of them. or pretending to have
held them. can serve no good purpose;
whereas their cessation would produce one
positive beneit---tne disuse OF the vile
Newspaper neoIogism to which they have
g;ve., birth Ito interview"