New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-05
FOR THE PERSONAL ATTENTION or MIR
BRYAN.


We have received a copy Of 1.-THE weekly
World Herald" of Omaha. Neb.. for July 90
1896 which bears at the head OF It's COLUMNS rs
Editor the name OF William J. Bryan, the Pop-
ulist and Democratic candidate FOR freSiuent
of the United States That paper contains IN
editorial article, entitled Newspaper support
In which, after speaking Of the newspapers OPP
posed 70 free silver, 1t says "ln this connection
iii will be interesting to read what WDi'eEiw
"Reid. Editor of the gold bug New-fork TrlD-
"une said several years ago at an editorlai as-
"sociation banquet In New-IOrk. Then fonows
the statement. attributed to Mr.. Reid. that there
was no such thing in America as an independent
press. that editors were slaves who dared not
express an honest opinion. that he himself was
paid to keep honest opinions out OF the paper
that he was connected with and that the bust
ness of the New-YOrk Journalist was to distors
the truth to lie outright to pervert, to Why, TO
fawn at the feet Of Mammon. and to sell his
country and race for his daily bread. 10
this Is added the comment: "Whitelaw Reid
fought to and undoubtedly does know what he
"is talking about
William J Bryan, the candidate of great
party for President Of the United States. ought
TO know what his newspaper is talking ABOUT
when it prints editorial statements under his
name. Every person Of intelligence. who has
the slightest acquaintance with Mr.. Reid, or the
history of The Tribune, or the slightest know-
edge of New-YOrk journalism is perfectly aware
that this Is a prepOstcrous ana stupid libel MI
Reid never made any such speech, and never
said anything remotely rest milling 1t either In
language or sentiment. There is no information
obranabc that the speech was ever made by
any human being in any place. Certainly it was
never made by any NewYork editor at any press
banquet 1t has been attributed to other news
paper men. among them Mr.. John Swinton. and
so far as we know without the slightest founda-
ton This fabrication has been exposed time
and time again The Tribune on June 80 and
also on July JO--the last more than two weeks
before THE WordIIcrald'' publcatlon-in re-
ply to questions from persons who had read the
story in irresponsible Popullst Journals. definite
~ and explicitly stamped it rs falsehood Yer
In the face Of those denialS, and in spite of It's
obvious impossblity. the personal sanction OF
Mr.. William ]. Bryan. a candidate for President
of the United States. is virtually given to its
publication by the newspaper which proclams
him as It's editor.
We shall watch closely his future course with
reference to this caumny. That ignorant fanat-
les should circulate it is not matter for sur
prise But that man Of sufficient experience
10 have been in Congress, and to be the candl-
date of one of the leading parties for the Presi-
dency. should Use such methods to promote his
fortunes Is almost Incredible Yet over his name
has been promulgated lie which bears internal
evidence of its falsohood and which has been
repeatedly refuted. Will he confess that in ut
ter recklessncss he printed libel on political
opponent without inquirng as TO its truth. even
shutting his eyes to its falsity? Or will he
acknowledge that he permits himself to be adj
vertised as the editor Of IA newspaper which he
doesn't edit, and which prints under his name
mOnstrous lies that he doesn't contradict: Or
will he say nothing, and thus admit that he Is
a moral coward: For his sake we hope that he
will tell the truth, adding an apology, and cause
1t to be printed in The Omaha World-lierald'
over his name as we'll as under IT,