The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-08-01
Mr.. Greeley and the Tribune

Some time since we published an article
from the Troy Press purporting to give
conversation between Mr.. Greeley and
Thomas N. Rocker, foreman of the Iri-
6une, giving the reasons why Mr.. Greeley
left and the cause of his death. To that
article MIR. Rocker replies as follows:
To the Editor Of Tile Troy Daily Press:
SIR You published a CONVEX
sation said to have taken place between
Mr.. Greeley and myself about the suppress
sion of an article Of his, after the campaign
of 1879. No such conversation ever took
place between us-or any in the remotest
degree resembling it. 1t was Mr.. Greeley's
wish that whenever an article written by
himself, or by any other person, had been
put in type, and on examination by the
editor in charge, or manager, it was found
to be inaccurate, or if later information
made it advisable to change the phraseolo-
gy, or suppress it, to do so. There has
never been a managing editor on the Iri-
bune who has not had frequent occasions
to do this, and presume every other news.
paper Office can furnish like facts. The
assertion that the "holding back" or sup
preston of an article for consultation or
cause, made Mr.. Greeley crazy or drove
him from his position is the silliest kind
of talk.
You may rely on this as correct, viz :
The loudest howlers at the wake being held
over the grave of MIR. Greeley and the sue
cess of the Tribune under its present man
sgement, are persons who have been dis
missed from the Tribune for cause.
have reason for believing that the man.
;,k - r.. xr,bso l, hoe 1ota Il
been reproduced in fac Sinlie and printed,
was taken from the Office and given to the
newspaper which reproduced il, by a per-
son now or lately in its employ, who form
erly read proof in the Tribune proof-room.
| Such persons destroy their usefulness and
their prospects; for authorship and manu-
| scripts are held to be honorable secrets in
all reputable newspaper offers.
know that all the stories
about his having been driven from his
position as editor-in- chief, or hurried to
his death, either by the "holding back" or
suppression of editorials, or by any other
conduct of the stockholders or employees,
or by any act of the managing editor, are
absolutely and utterly false.
| If my friends who have published these
stories will do me the favor of printing
this letter, shall be greatly obliged. 1t Is
due to the memory of Horace Greeley. if
not also to one who was for thirty-two
years his almost daily companion.
THOMAS N. ROCKER.
Canandaigua, N. Y, July 2S, 1877.
LETTER FROM Mr.. SINCLAIR.
| CRoToN-oN-THE-HUD July 10, 1877.
The Editor of The Troy Press:
My attention has been called to an article
In your journal headed "Good by. Tom, ,
describing pretended interview between
Mr.. Greeley and Thomas N. Rocker, the
foreman IN the Tribune printing office
wherein is stated "Mr. Greeley, have re.
ceived orders to-day positively from the
stockholders to no longers recognize you al
editor-in chief, l am very sorry, Mr..
Greeley; 1t was terrible blow to me after
such long service in the Tribune office
under your management" At the date men
toned, November, 1879, / was the
largest stakeholder Of the Tribune, had
been Its publisher for many years and think
l knew the feelings of the proprietorf
generally. AS q matter Of fact no suct
order was ever given or contemplated by
the stockholders of the Tribune nor do
believe that Mr.. Rocker ever made such q
statement. At the well considered anC
earnest request of the stockholders Mr.
Greeley had just resumed the editorial con
troll Of the Tribune, which he had relin,
pushed early In the presidential campaign
Just then closed, and they had too much
faith In and reverence for him even to con
ceiye OF such an idea. 1t may not be
matter of great public importance but II Ii
due to the truth OF history that the error
shall be corrected Very respectfully,
BAN. SINCLAIR.