New-York tribune., 1904-10-06
OUT OF ITS ELEMENT.

We surprised and disappointed by our
neghbor The Times" On Saturday last that
journal charged that Mr.. CorteyOu. chairman
Of the Republican National Committee, was
using his officially acquired knowledge of COR
pOratiOn secrets and his prospective official
power as engines for eXtorting money from per-
SONS who were opposed to President ROosevelfs
election. 1t recOunted what it called a con-
crete instance OF this alleged levying OF forced
contributions and said it was typical Of other
concrete instances.
We think that "The Times" has been misled
into making these charges by some member
of the Democratic National Committee, just
as it confessed it was misled by member of
that committee into declaring that Mr.. j. j.
Hill stood ready to spend halt million
dollarG to make Mr. Lamont Governor. we
have reason to believe that the Republican
campaign funds have been raised this year
without pressure or promises, and with an I'M
common regard for the highest demands OF
political ethics. If. however, any such cases as
The Times" refers to have occurred and such
extortion has been practised. the definite facts
ought to be known We have therefore, asked
our contemporary in the interests of public
morality to substantiate its charges or at least
10 tell on whom Mr.. CortelyOu called demand
ing money, which. though a Democrat he PAID
for fear Of reprisals on his business. We have
asked for something specific instead Of the
mere assertion Of an indefinite tale which
might easily he a mere fgnent Of the imagina-
ton of Mr. German or of that other committee
man who, according to The Times" has fooled
il before on the subject Of campaign contribu-
tions. Yet strangely enough. The Times neither
produces any reason for believing its most
serious charge against Mr.. COrtelyou nor re-
tracts that charge with the same alacrity with
which it withdrew its rumOr about Mr. Hill and
Mr. Lamont Instead It continues in vague and
general terms It's attack upon Mr.. Corteiyou
apparently intent on making as much outcry as
possible for political purposes, without troubling
itself about the truth of its charges
That is not the sort of thing we look for from
The Times" As an old Republican neighoor
1t had our respect, and, though some years ago
# lapsed into Democracy and experienced many
vicisstudes, we have always regarded II as
living up to the old standards OF reputable jour
nallsm We should be sorry to feel that 1t had
acquired the sensational habit OF circulating
reckless or malicious attacks upon official and
personal honor which Il has neither the facts 10
confirm nor the manliness to retract. The
Times" has not merely made a political attack
upon Mr. Cortelyou II has referred to what
II calls concrete instances OF grave miscon-
duct on his part, and on the strength Of It's
supposed knowledge of concrete facts asks an
uninformed public to pass a verdict OF condem-
nation on Mr. Cortelyou and the President Is
that manly? Is II decent? II there are any
sucb facts, any such concrete instances Is
nor "Tbe Times" bound in honor 10 recount
them. or else make reparation TO the men whom
# has been led 20 accuse without reason HAS
THE Times" in IT'S present association become
merely Mr.. Gormans scandalmongerF