The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-05
Is the Professor a Little xellowish

As q critic of newspapers and q censor Of
the methods Of journalism, Professor HAIR
RY THURsToN PECK of Columbia University
leaves something to be- desired.
Professor PECK is at times courageous In
his u~tterances Oh q subject which inter
ests him keenly but he is sometimes more
courageous than discriminating. He is
acute in his perception of some of the vel.
low spots that disfgure the contemporary
newspaper press but he is apparently blind
to the same unpleasant hue when 1t colors
unpleasantly his own personal contribu-
tions to periodical literature.
For examples: In q magazine article the
Columbia Professor praises the American
newspapers for Withholding 80 much that
they know but refrain from printing out of
commendable reticence and genuine good
feeling. Then he proceeds to illustrates:
Everybody knows that the most interesting thinss
Of life never get into print at ALL They are more Or
less widely circulated in the private conversation of
men who go about In the great world. but are not
given to the public at ~arge-and for reasons.
"Take literary history. for example. There IL the
true history OF THAoKERAY's death. There Is tho OK.
PLANTATION OF why Mr.. Cross attempted suicide so soon
after his marriage with GEORGE ELIOT. There 10 the
actual cause OF CARLYLE's domestic unhappiuesS.
These things. and a hundred like them. are perfectly
well known to very many men and women. but they
are never printed. and never will DO printed. at least
In the time OF any person now living"
And again the Columbia Professor:
There was. for instance. q President. now dead,
who was elected some years ago after Q most OK
citing and bitter fight. It was known. during this
campaign. to every party editor in the country. that
his private life had been one Of sensuality. that II
was rich in possibilities OF scandal. And the exploit
tation OF this theme was the more tempting because
with the public at large his reputation for morality
and religious earnestness stood very high. But, with
all this material for his political annihilation ready
to hand. not even the bitterest partisan among hii
opponents ever used It,"
And once more:
"A few years ago = National Convention met Il
nominate candidates for the Presidency and vice
Presidency. Heading competitor for the latter once
seemed certain to be chosen; but . very unsavory
scandal. whose truth could not DO questioned. DO
came known to all the delegates and to all the repre-
Bsntatives OF the press who were present at the con
Sentlon. HIS name was NJ once passed by, and he losj
the prize for which he had contended;- but tho tru,
reason OF his withdrawal was never published"
We should like to ask Professor HARRY
THURsToN PECK three plain questions:
l. Is 1t true that he regards, as he sayl
he regards, these and similar scandals a.
"the most interesting things In life r
And. II such matters are of supreme inter
est to his mind, Is he wholly qualified t.
be a censor of ~journalismf
2. If he admires the daily newspapers fol-
their reserve in keeping such scandals from
their readers, both to avoid distressing tn,
innocent and In the general interests o
public morals. does he admire himself also
when, In a magazine article, he exhibits tn,
same scandals or alleged scandals profnl
nently, provocatively, and without othe
motive than to spice his own writingi
8. Has he any personal knowledge o
the truth of these scandals which be indi
lcates SO positively and specifically Or 4