Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 December 1886 — Col. Benton’s Rebuke of a Lying Cor. respondent. [ARTICLE]

Col. Benton’s Rebuke of a Lying Cor. respondent.

Some of the recent comments on sensational journalism remind me of an interview which took place in the ante-room of the Senate during the winter of 1849-50, between Col. Benton, then a Senator from Missouri, and a correspondent named Francis A. Grund. Grund professed to be a literary man, who wrote for the newspapers for mental relaxation, but he derived his support from his daily letters to the 1 hiladelphia Le ger and the Baltimore Sun, which were “spicy” and “sensational,” but so devoid of truth that Jeff Davis, alluding one day to some newspaper attacks, pointed to Grund in the reporters’ gallery as “the ■ basest Hessian of them aIL” I One day, while the Senate was in session, Grund was in the ante-room ' picking up items, when Col. Benton, about whem he had written some un-. ■ truths, emerged from the chamber, i Grund immediately advanced toward i him, saying: “Good-morning, Col. Benton; I am : glad to see you looking so well.” The Colonel, stopping, said in a bland tone: “Your name is Grund, I believe?” Grund bowed low, and replied: “Yes, Col. Benton, that is my name.” Benton—“ You are a newspaper correspondent, I believe?” Grund —“Yes, Col. Benton, I do something in that way occasionally. ” Benton—“ You write for the kaltimore Sun, do you not?” Grund—“Yes, Col. Benton, I do write for that paper for literary exercise. ”

Benton —“And you say your name is G run d—G-r-u-n-d ? ” “Yes, Col. Benton, and I am proud to know that my humble efforts have attracted the attention of so eminent a gentleman as yourself.” Benton (in loud tones') —“Well, sir, I can stand your abuse, and I can dispense with your bows;” then, extending his arms, he added: “Get out of my way, sir!” Grund, who thought at the commencement of the interview that his writings had pleased “Old Bullion,” stood for a moment dumlounded with astonishment; but as Col. Benton moved majestically away there was a roar of laughter from the bystanders, and the rebtlked corresponpent, snatching up his hat, hurriedly left.— Ben: Per leg Poore, in Boston Budget.