The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-14
.,r,nn, "EMAILING.
Letter from Bret Harte which Falls
Rnsteu the CHARGES.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-StT.
have been called upon by the various journals
OF the city to Give the names of certain critics
connected with the New York press, whom
MIR. Robson, In letter to me about
1.-TWO Men OF Sandy Bar" charges with
bribery and corruption. Generally, I believe,
II Is the utterer and not the receiver
OF an alleged counterfeit who Is called
upon to make his tender good. But as tho
opinion has been expressed that 10 publishing
Mir. Robsons letter, tacity endorsed his
charges, why let me say that certainly en-
dorse them here, and have become thoroughly
convinced OF their truth. II is Understood,
therefore, that MIR. Robson's charge is reiter-
ated earnestly, know; good temperedy, 1
trust, by Mr.. Bret Harte. The Issue here, at
least, is squarely Joined. But lest we should
drift away from the intent and Hpirlt OF
my late letter, | wish to state here that MIR.
Robson's letter was published solely to show
that the allegation OF the critics that he was dts
apnointeo 10 his bargain or, as u was insinu,
swinded out OF $1,000 by me. was maiciously
impairment and unauadedy false. II, how
ever, the critics prefer to evade this charge
made by me, aud take issue on another charge
made by another man, why atm willing to meet
that also.
As to the names asked for, ono has already
been given to an influential journal OF this city.
IL Is the name Of one Of its employees who ap.
preached Mr.. Theo. Hamilton with the direct
tender OF the favorable critical expression OF his
paper for coin. Mr. Hamilton, am informed,
sditora p man na% we viii 20" saw eU quite inca,
paole OF permitti or even suspeGtine
the integrity grit Of his snoordinases !;
this same journal had appealed to me, as u
brother journalist. In the interests Of journal
ism worthy OF Mr.. Carlyle's epithet, to re woke
these charges and that. knowing This. he felt
an honorable delicapy In giving to the public
the names Of those who hang muddy upon its
tattered frnges. and was satisfied that the
wrong would be fairly redeemed by the journal
IL, however further names and proofs are de-
manded. they can be evoked from me simply
and readily. 1t is difficult to get manager or
actor to admit that they have paid for favorable
critical services, but they may be obliged to
, TESTIFY under due process OF law An s se.
but as / cannot bring such an action,
not being able TO conscientiously swear
me or my play, would propose that those gen.
tlemen who are aggrieved by my charges should
bring an action against me. IL will enable us
both TO get at the truth, which, trust, ~ all
that Is asked for. IL will at least, be novelty:
IT, owing to the habitua e1travaeance and
prodigality OF the literary man, 10 IL doubtful "
any damages could be collected from me, there
| Is the play to fall back upon. Indeed, know
| OF no more beautiful instance Of retrbutive
justice than the sublime spectacle OF these
gentlemen nightly pocketing the. proceeds
sss pay t6e ,nsy bs sc o SSq
folly Of the public. Standing beside the box Of
| fee OF the Union Square Theatre, sternly but
sadly. with faces that shall indicate 10 the pass
| ing throng OF giddy and unwise pie sure seekers
an outraged aesthetic sense, mitigated and
| tenderly softened by the near prospect
| Of pecuniary emolumeut, with one hand
warninRly raised against the public, and the
| other gently inserted in the box ONCE, II seems
TO me that a spectacle like this would compen-
| safe somewhat for preliminary disbursement
| to legal counsel.
| MIR. Robson, fear, must hereafter answer for
| himself I'll have none Of him. A IN IN who. as
the Tribune beautifully SAYS, "mineles noble
| grief with an imperfect svntax," and doesn't
| even now seem To know how much finer Il an
| iRnoole rage mingled with a perfect synt X
shall not insult the great profession of journal.
| ism without hearing from BRET HARTE.