New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-27
PRESS COERCION
LAID TO WHITMAN
Seabury Adds to Charges
Governors Attempt to
Influence The Tribune

,r..-, star Correspondcn, Of The Tribune
Batavia, Oct. Cucumber % OF
Samuel Seabury's charges made public
,o.nicht accused Governor Whitman Of
attempted coercion of the press and
suppression OF free speech.
an the many speeches which I have
d,livered during this campaign" said
I,dee Seabury to a crowd of 1900, 81
Ssve charged Governor Whitman's ad-
rs;nistration with incompetence, eX-
trsvorance and wastefulness. Governor
whitman replied by asking for speci-
6,ations. In Syracuse on Tuesday |
made nineteen specific charges. In
Rochester last night ] added two more,
"With the whole state waiting 10
hear his defence, he is compelled TO
seek the aid Of his advisers to frame
mn replies. Any man fit 10 be Gov
amor. with two years experience of
that great Office behind him. should be
90 familiar with the affairs Of the state
that he could answer any and all Of
nv charges instantly, If he could
answer them az all.
81 now make charge %. l charge
Governor Whitman with attempted
coercion of the press and suppression
Of free speech.
The Tribune Told the Truth
The New York Tribune, a Repub-
Ican paper % the highest standing, had
the courage TO tell the truth about
Governor Whitman. Governor Whit
man sent his private secretary, Mr..
Orr. 10 The Tribune Office to warn the
editor that if The Tribune did not
desist from its criticism of his official
course il could not expect to be treated
as Republican paper in the matter of
official advertising. But this threat was
not enough. The Public Service Com
mission of the First District. all ap-
pointees of Governor Whitman, re-
moved the commissions Offices from
The Bribune Building.
He stands convicted of attempting to
GEORGE an honest newspaper by attack
ing its source of revenue and either
compelling il to refrain from criticising
8 public officer or Furnishing it for max
ing such criticism? Is it not as wrong
TO withhold the legitimate recognition
70 which the newspapers party stand
ing entities it, as it would be TO use the
same recognition to buy subservient
organ? =,
SThis whole incident throws into bold
relief the workings of Governor Whit
mans mind. He is unable to see the
futility in this stage of the worlds
history to muzzle the press. The New
York Tribune's refusal to permit this
unfair attack TO silence its voice must
commend itself to the citizenship Of
the state regardless Of public feeling.
Governor Whitman has asked what
he did not do that / would have done.
| have given him a number of instances
in which my policy will be different
from what his was. / have also told
min, in a number of cases what | Would
NOT have done that he did. now add
10 these the statement that if any pa
per. Democratic or Republican, criti-
eises me and my administration IT VIII
not be penalized for its action. Ihere
is inevitable and irreconcilable conflict
between a free press and such NAL
administration as Governor Whitman
has given US. They cannot coexist;
William I. McCombs, candidate LOT
Senator. spoke on the tariff and aDsen-
toe presentation" charging william
II calder with failing to vote on every
important matter before congress a.
the last session. D,.;.,, 20
Judge Seabury speaks in DunKlrk TO-
morrow night.