“Do you think a politician is worse than an editor?” said Connors.
“Frankly speaking,” said Doane, “no. The difference in our deception of the public lies in the method only.”
The men were evidently ill at ease, but all laughed at Doane’s boldness.
“We poor monied men,” said Wayland, “seem to be altogether out of consideration.”
“How so?” said Connors.
“Because in this day and generation,” said Wayland, “thanks to Doane, the newspapers have killed our trade by exposing our tricks.”
Connors looked on in grim satisfaction at the contest between money and printer’s ink, and quietly said: “I am not so sure that newspapers are just what they should be.”
“What’s the complaint against us?” said Doane, in mock fear.
“There is as little honesty in journalism as there is in the world of finance,” said Wayland.