Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-12
roo EXCLUSIVE NY HALF.
Ccrrespondent stealey's Plain ne
marks About the Admfnistrati0n'

marks About the Administrators
m q steaIey's Dispatch to Courier
Journal)
The President complains OF MALICIOUS
mendacIous, and sensational newspaper
reports. The President and his official
family have only themselves TO DIANE
for the outcome of these reports. They
allow them TO be printed day after day
until they fasten the belief In the pubic
mind of their truth. They are not even
dignified by a denial at the time they are
circulated. but when the bad results Oh 'he
circulation OF these stories are ascertain
ed. the President more than dignities them
with n denial In the form OF an auto
graphic letter.
For two weeks during the circulation
of the story that the administration was
negotiating with the Morgan syndicate
for the private sale OF bonds. the few
newspaper friends OF the administration
men who never deal 1t a blow below the
belt. were eager and anxious TO obtain
the true situation and send the facts 10
their papers They did not desire an M
terview with President Cleveland or Sec
rotary Carlisle. They only wished 10
be placed In possession Of sufficient infor-
nation so as to enable them TO print the
facts. Such was denied them. Close ana
seccctive methods wholly unwarranted IN
the consideration OF a matter in whlch tne
public had such an extraordinary interest
prevailed. The correspondents were VIZ
tually shut out OF the White House. NJ
the Treasury they were met with the ola
stereotyped reply, THE Secretary is very
busy and has nothing to say In reply 70
written earnest requests by correspond
ents for a denial or verification OF the
story, a verbal answer was received, i
do not care to talk"
In the mean time the great New YORK
bankers were here. Some Of them were
at the White House, some were at the
Treasury comforting with Secretary Car
Isle. and others were in conference with
Secretary Lamont This statement cannot
be truthfully controverted. During all
this time the administration looked over
the heads of even their own newspaper
friends on the row. who had never be-
trayed them. and had defended them right
or wrong time and again, and refused to
deny the story so ndustriousy advertiser
that a private bond sale was being ar
ranged. The inference was plain; the
conclusion unmistakable. There were not
ten thinking. intelligent men outside or
Cleveland. Carlisle. and Lamont VINO
were not satisfied in their own minds that
the story was true. In business circles
il was everywhere accepted as fact.
Under these circumstances 1t Is amazing
that the President Notwithstanding MS
violent prejudice to newspaper men,.
should blame the press for consequence
of his own mistake. A word from him or
the Secretary OF the Treasury 70 frlehu
to quietly tip the newspaper boys that
there was nothing in these wild stories
,trft+a of
was on would never have found Judgment
in the public mind.
The trouble with the administration IS
that it wraps itself up in its own and only
original and official excluslveness, ana
takes IL as an insult to be asked a ques-
ton upon public matter OF Importance
by member OF the press.