The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-05-21
THE PICAYUNE AND THE TINES.

and for weeks past they have been
charging each other with being liars
and blackmailers. It seems to us that
q controversy between the directors
OF responsible papers should never
have reached this point. It Is difficult
to understand how one gentleman can
call another a liar. and the other call
the first q blackmailer, without bring
ing the controversy to summary terml-
nation. But, when the controversy
reached this interesting point the prin-
cipals Of the two papers very singularly
dropped out OF the quarrel, and we find
the whole dispute left upon the hands
Of the city editor Of the Picdy'tne and a
reporter Of the Times.
This, however. is none OF our business.
But we cannot ignore one fact III the
controversy which interests the public
as we'll as all gentlemen connected with
the press in New Orleans. In card In
the Picnyune, OF the 10th inst, Mr. j..
M. Walpole, the city editor OF the Plea
uune. and we are informed, an entirely
responsible and honorable gentleman,
in the following paragraph, distinctly
charges Mr. Stoutemyer, the editor OF
the Times. with being q black mailer
and offers. if Mr.. Stoutemyer demands
it, to prove the charge. Mr.. Walpole, in
his card, says
To end tedious story. throw down The
~ NJ n a ujEhnpnFDhia letter in record. w Ill
he be equally frank with me | think not.
can prove 10 hin that his living In New Orleans
government over US. He. in effect, accuses me
Of having charged him with blackmail. This is
true | have charged him with blac mail and
can prove it. and he. rs all contemptible ours
controlling newspaper would do with the
knowledge that had made the charge responds
through ne columns 81 MS paper and calls me
epithet like the latter to me, j know my duty
but until Mr. Stoutemever refutes the charge OF
bIaekmaiing made AGAINST him by me. my duty
ends with this card. Ii be. requires me to sp.e
ciically prove the charge shall do SO, but with
much pain but should he absolutely languish
for It, he shall be obliged by me.
With the controversy between the Pic
nyune and Times. which we do not un-
derstand. and which no one else under
stands, we have nothing to do; but
with this charge so circumspectly made
against the editor of the Times, we and
all other honest citizens have a great
deal to do. The Times is one OF the
leading papers of the city, 1t claims to
be sustained by the merchants and
business men Of the city and the
classes of the country. Its
character and conduct are therefore Of
as much interest to the community as
that OF any public man; nay. its integ
lie than that Of any public man, because
it has, probably, a greater influence
than any public man in the State. This
distinct aud specific charge OF Mr.. Wal
pole, therefore. is Of public interest.
and it is necessary for Mr. Stoutemyer,
the editor of the Times, to fairly and
sguarely meet the charge against him
and the public demand that Mr.. Wal
pole shall prove the charge that he has
made and which he claims he can sub
stantiate There is no eyading this
issue. MIR. Stoutemyer occupies high
ly responsible and influential position
in this community; Mr.. Walpole, re-
sponsible citizen, has made q terribly
damaging accusation against him as
public journalist. and the community
now demand the proofs
As public journalists, we are inter
ested in the charge Mr. Walpole has
made against the editor of the Times.
A great many disparaging things have
been said about New Orleans journal
ism, and 1t is necessary to the public
interest, to the credit OF journalism,
that New Orleans journalism should be
and its character estab-
lished to be above that of blackmailers
and hirelings. Mr.. Walpole has made
the bold and emphatic charge that
Mr.. Stoutemeyer. the editor OF the
Times, Is blackmailer. and that
he is prepared to substantiate the
charge. In behalf OF the public. and
in behalf OF journalism, we ask Mr..
Walpole to prove his charge. If there
is blackmailer IL there is huckster Of
opinions among the journalists Of this
city, we desire that he shall be exposed
that the press Of the city may no longer
be Influenced or disgraced by him. We
hope Mr.. Walpole is mistaken, and
that Mr.. Stoutemyer may be able to
prove that the charge Is untrue. But
sther Mr.. Stoutemyer or Mr.. Walpole
must go under on this issue II Mr.. .Stoute-
nyer is really what Mr.. Walpole has
charged him with being, he should be
'purned by every honest journalist and
respectable citizen Of the State; and if
le has been unjustly accused, Mr.. Wal
,ole deserves the severest condemnation |
'f the public for having made so grave
! charge against man who occupies
me of the most responsible positions in
he State.
We hear that the T,nujsiana Dramatic