The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1896-12-19
4 LEADER OF JOURNALISM.
Upriaht Character of James Gordon
Bennett In the Newspaper World.

Uprlaht Character of James Gordon
Bennett In the Newspaper World.
The character OF James Gordon Ben
nett as leader OF journalism Is admir-
ably summed up In an Interesting ar
ticle by James Creelman. As an edit
or. says the writer, Mr.. Bennett is i'm
patient OF political control or partner
ship. He scents danger In every an.
proach. and he will deliberately attack
A party 10 prove that he Is not under
It's influence. According to him. an
editor should be a man In a watch
tower. out OF sound and out OF reach.
Otherwise there would be conspiracy
and compromise. Private promises
are to be- broken In the public Interest.
Friendships are to be regarded ms traps
for the editorial conscience. So Mr..
Bennett IS a lonely man In a crowd.
hermit In the midst OF busting life.
can tell one story that illustrates the
magnificent perversity and shrewish-
ness that have preserved the Herald as
a historic example OF incorruptible
Journalism. When Gen. Crespo under
took TO overthrow the rotten and tyran-
meal government OF President Palaclo.
he had thirty badly-armed yenezue-
lans to follow him. The revolution was
sanctioned by the people. but they were
afraid, at first, to join Crespo's stand
ard. Gradually. however. he gathered
together a small army. and advanced
upon the government forces. Palaclo
and his friends had looted the treasury.
money was needed to crush the revolt.
and a sum great enough for the pur-
poses could only be had In Europe.
About this time an old friend OF Mr..
Bennett called upon him In Paris. and
explained that the Venezuelan govern
ment desired to place loan bonds for
many millions OF dollars In the Lon
don market. He Informed Mr.. Bennett
that he was to be the agent OF Palacio
In the matter. and would make a for
tune out OF II. Then he asked for the
cooperation OF the Herald. on the score
OF old-iime friendship. and finally he
announced that II the Herald could be-
little the revolutionary cause, and so
stimulate the confidence OF bankers In
the government bonds, the transaction
would be worth two or three hundred
thousands dollars TO Mr.. Bennett. At
this Mr.. Bennett smiled grimly
ut is worth a million dollars to the
Herald TO know these facts" he said.
Il do not quite understand YOU"
sald the friend.
1T is worth Si,0OO,0Oo to support the
other side"
why. Mr.. Bennett. am too late
Have the other men seen you:"
mo; not at all But you have given
me proof that the government OF vene-
Euela deserves to fall. IL Is worth
100000 TO the Herald to be on the
right side. shall back up the revolu-
ton. and let the truth be known to the
world"
In vain the friend pleaded that his
conversation was confidential. and that
newspaper had no right TO take adyan-
tage OF facts communicated under the
seal OF secrecy. Within an hour. a cable
message set the wonderful machinery
OF the Herald In motion. and day aftel
day Its columns were crowded with
dispatches from special correspondent:
in Yenezueala, describing THEY yiwov
the revolutionary army and the weak
ness OF the government. These dis
patches were reproduced In all thu
European capitals. and Palacio's bond
could not find n purchaser. Withou
money or credit. the tyrant fell; an,
the first act OF Crespo, after he enter
ed Caracas at the head OF his victoriou
army, was to send long cablegram
at the public expense. thanking tn
Herald, over his own signature. for Il
services in the cause OF liberty AM
constitutional government.