The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-01-28
Gtle1ntettrgeul6 !.
The Criticism of Public Men by the
Press. sT| = p q
From the New York Times.l, .r......-a

The Criticism Of Public Men by the
Press. .Tf 7 4
From the New York Times.l rr.ra.....ra
1t will be a very gloomy-day for this
country when there is not considerable
number Of newspapers able and willing to
candidlY examine the character of public
men. II we reflect an instant, we shall
see that the existence Of an intelligent,
firm and disinterested press 10 an indis.
pensible condition to the success Of repre-.
sentative government in modern times.
We could not make free institutions work
without It. We are not community OF
Athenian Democrats-we cannot all get
together in public place and talk over
the claims to confidence Of public men,
most Of whom we know personally. We
must have the best agents we can get 10
transact our public business, and we can
only select them on the knowledge we get
through the newspapers Very few Of us
have any other means Of information, and
the intimate knowledge few influential
men may have concerning candidates for
public favor would be useless in our
country il 1t could not be communicated
through the papers.
Most people, even the sensitive public SER
wants we have referred TO, will acknowl-
edge these truths in the abstract; but they
shrink from the application. Yet we
must have them applied. The people
must know all they can fairly learn about
the men whom they are asked 10 employ.
In his private business, every careful citi-
zen investigates a mans character before
he trusts him. He often investigates q
great many things likely TO throw light
On character which 1t Is unpleasant for the
employee 10 have looked into. He does
not hesitate TO inquire as 10 a clerks asso.
ciales, or cashiers habits OF expenditure,
or the places in which book. keeper
passes his leisure time. Every public
man must be ready 10 submit, not 10 these
inquiries, Tor they concern private rela-
lions, but 10 such as will throw the same
light on their fitness for public trust
which these throw upon fitness for private
trust. Doubtless the result Is not always
agreeable 10 those whose career Is the sub.
iect Of inquiry, neither Is the process
agreeable 10 those who go through with
it. 1t Is often laborious, sometimes
tedious and vexatious, and very apt to be
lhankless. The appreciation Of such SER
vices by the general public would afford
but a slight compensation for the per-:
torrance Of them. But they are neces-
ssry, and they are generally rendered,
precisely as the best services OF men In
public place are rendered, from an hon
orable desire TO do some good work in the
little time that each has 10 labor.
Nothing can be palmer than that the
most careful scrutiny of, the history and
character Of public men not only Is proper,
but is duty TO which the press is bound.
II is duty too, not less 10 the ,Commu=
nifty in which the press exists, but to the
press itself, We should have small faith
in the progress AID prosperity Of news
papers in this country If We did not know
that so many Of them are conducted by
honest and courageous men, who cannot
be bought, and who have too much sense
to become subservient to any set of sell.
hsh men, It Is upon such men that the
lie Of the press and its usefulness and
growth in power depend. The politi.
clans who would make the press their
TOOL would soon ruin It, as well as intlict
lasIlng ialury on the country.