The Statesman. — London, England, 1818-10-01 00:00:00

~ r :it4;•*%:-•• • - • 1! .~ r. LAND proceeded to read the following Ite- rt t-- . ..ECONO REPORT OF THE SEI.F.CT COMMITTEE. " The Proprietors basing, at their last General Assembly, agreed to adopt the proposition of this 'Committee, that she sole Regulation, Conduct, and 'Calomel of the Theatre, and its Eapehditure, Ap pointment of Stage Manager, E ng agement of Per formers, and selection of Pieces for Dramatic Re presentation, should he confided to Me.Ceittesn, and assented to their declaration of the toter disqualifics-* ... Coos of the present Sub-Committert°l Management, and the consents of the most .cowsidersble creditors to accept terms of compromise bing.gisess, and the sums . which Members of this Committeo had offered to subscribe ind obtain, having beets agreed to t on she express understauding and • cessation, not veil 'that the Thesere should not he again opened until OM "cosepensations to the creditors ,ere discharged, bet also on the uuderstandine and condition that the pre sent Sub-Committee of Management would either re sign or no longer be permitted to exercise their fonc ties., and their dissent from each Sub-Committee re. besting or entering into any new engagements with Performers, this Committee; on being informed, that in defiance of such the declared sense sod Resolutions of the Proprietors, the remaining Members of the Sub. Committee of Management, without basing attempted to conclude any treaty with Mr. Colmao, .were ne -pasting with Mr. Stephen Kemble, Me Stage Manager, did, on the 31st July last (in furtherance of the objects so agreed to by the Proprietors), transmit to the Sub. Committee of Management their Protest in writing against such Sub-Committee per. forming any act contrary to the Restitutions which bad bees so agreed to, and this Committee did thereby also declare that they were willing to co. operate with the General and Sob-Committees matters which might be requisite, as well far. the purpose of investing Mr. Colman with the necessary powers, as to establish such check mad controol over the expenditure as might be expedient for the into. rests of the Proprietors, and consistent with the prosperity of the Theatre. " No notice having been taken of that commu oication, or any effort made by the General or Sub. Committee to co-operate with this Committee in . raising, or-by themselves to raise, sufficient funds for discharging the Compositions which the Creditors had consented to accept, or for the other necessary purposes, on the conditions which bad been sanc tioned by the Proprietors (although this Committee had, so long since as the 16th July last, given no tice to the General and Sub-Committees that five of their Members and one other Gentleman were will ing to subscribe 4,5001. and expressed that they had no doubt of their ability to increase that amount to * moiety of the sum which the exigencies of the Theatre appeared immediately to requite), and this Committee having, on the let of August last, been Wormed that Mr. Stephen Kimble had then been actually engaged as Stage 'Manager' end that, wittiest regard to the Proprietors' Resolutions, or making any provision for the Creditors, it was Weeded by the Sub-Committee to open the Theatre at the usual period for the wrest season, this Committee, In the hope of preventing the secs ' *elation of loss to which the Proprietors would ap parently, and they lure no doubt will eventelly, be subjected by such skotation of their Resolutions, did inneediately give italics in writing to the Sub-Com *Wee, that a Bill would be filed in Chancery for the pewee of restraining them from opening the Theatre, or entering into any engagements with Performers, until the Creditors were paid, and for such other purposes as Counsel might advise for carrying into effect the Resolutions of the last General Assembly of Proprietors; which notice having been disregarded, a suit in Chancery was instituted by several Members of this Committee against the Sub. Committee of Ma. wsgement, the sole object of which was, to compel them to obey the Directions and Resolutions of the Proptieters ; and this Committee greatly regret, that sltholigh such suit was instituted under the advice and opinion of Counsel of the greatest eminence and abi lity, the injunction which, during a few days, re strained any mischievous proceedings by the Sub- Committee, could not (according to the judgment of the Lord Chancellor), consistently with the legislative provisions to which the Theatre is subject, be longer sustained. 66 It being understood to be in the contemplation of a few Members of the General Committee to re. duce the prices of admission to the Theatre, this Com mittee did, on their own behalf and on behalf of all the other Proprietors, deliver to the General Com mittee, during their Meeting, on the 28th of As. gust, a Protest in writing, against the adoption of a measure so destructive to the interests of the Pro. rietors, and which appeared fraught with absolute and irremediable ruin to the theatrical property. The Protest, however, as well as a motion which appears to have been made at such Meeting of the General Committee to submit the proposition for redoetion to the consideration and jedgment of a General Assem bly of Proprietors, appears to have been disregarded, and the prices of admission reduced by seven persons only, four of whom were Members of the Sob-Corn. Settee, and another was the last elected Auditor. 66 This Committee abstain from noticing many of the unfounded statements contained in certain printed pipers recently circulated, purporting to he Reports of the Sub-Committee to the General Committee, and of the General Committee to the Proprietors, eat they deem it proper to declare that, however de sirous they were of averting the disastrous come gessoes which may be expected to result from opening the Theatre at reduced prices, and under the couttnel of the present Sub. Committee„ it was the original in. Notion of this Committee that the Theatre should Cava been opened at the usual period ender better sespices, free from pecuniary difficulties and with in. mteasrd attraction, which object they have no doubt rwroald have been accomplished, if the General and :11els.Coustaittee had acted in conformity with the Re solutions agreed to by the Proprietors. It continued is be the eject of this Committee to open the Theatre as soon as the present Sub-Committee could be dis placed, and the necessary fends obtained for meow log its pecuniary embarrassments, without which re moval it must probably be speedily closed. But the Gillen! end Sob-Committee having by their disre gard of the Proprietors' Resolutions, and unau thorised reduction of the prices of admission, der etroyed the hope entertained by this Committee, and _~.~... ATATtgMAN -- . rendered ensvailing the exertions which they were /milling to have made, this Carmine, collectively and individually, as Proprietors, presume and expect that those who have treated the difficulties will n ow (without subjecting the property to greater responsi bility than that which this Committee proposed) pro vide the means of removing the embarrassments and restoring the Theatre to. it state of comparative valor; at the period when they first disobeyed the Resolve, tions of the Proprietors. ' 66 This Committee having personally commits'. cited with Mr. Colman, have no reason to doubt his MOW to have undertaken the management, sub,- I ject to such limitations as the Legislature have pro. , ticribed. The Proprietors will, however, leerni with surprise, that although the General Commit tee in their Report, on the 28th of July last, ad mitted the peculiar qualifications of Mr. Colman, ,and stated that they had ente red into or commenced . t emaciation with him, :end although by the last Repoli of the Sub-Committee they may be les)Aw blieve that such negociatien had since been p ec r e ed.ll in, bet which, for the tuition therein suggested, had not been satisfactorily corn:Wed, this Committee have Mr. Coletan's authority in writing, for declaring thet nricommenication whatever has taken pleas be tween the Sub-Committee and him since the 234 of Jtily last, .when a reply was sent to the only appli cation which bad been made on behalf of the Sub- , Committee to him. " This Committee are informed, that neither Col. Patrick Douglas, whose appoisittnent as Trustee was at the last General Assembly declared by the Pro prietors to be injurious to their interests, or Mr. Richard Wilson, who then asserted that he was will ing to relinquish his office as a Member of the Sub. Committee if such resignation was wished by the Peopeleints, have yet acted in conforinity to their declared . opielons. " Thii•Committee now terminate their labours by recoinnteliding the vigilant attention and co-operation 'of the Proprietors to prevent the attainment of any further legislative measure, by which additional powers, inconsistent with the Proprietors' few re maining rights, may be attempted to be gained by the General or Sub-Committee,or the shares become sob. jected to any pecuniary payment, or any part of the theatrical property, except certain private boxes, the fruit offices, and detached premises, made responsi ble for any further loan." Mr. Laos moved that the Report should be ap proved by the Meeting. The CUAIRMAN declared the decision to be in fa vour of the motion on the show of hands. Mr. P. MooRE demanded a ballot, observing at the same time, that all the Sub-Committee bad done, was with a view to place themselves in a situation to let for the interest of the Theatre. Their reason for going to Parliament, which was one of the topics of complaint, was to comply with the standing orders of the House. They did not mean to proceed any further in that business, or to take any step that did not seem desirable to the general proprietory. Mr. CALCSArr rose to order, and said that as a 'ballot was called for, no discussion could take place seta that ballot was determined. Mrs. DOTLEn. said, she had one question to pet -before they proceeded to the ballot. She wished to .know the reason why Mr. Jack Johnstone, one of the best props of that House, was discharged from the - Theatre without any explanation as to the cause of •msch an extraordinary proceeding 2 Sir Teomas Tuvrom regretted thet the reenter course of business prevented him from complying with her request at that moment ; but after the bal. lot was disposed of, he would take care to pot the question to the Gentlemen of the Sub-Committee. The ballot then commenced. Upon the termination of the ballot, Mr. Catcam stated that two Ladies had offered to vote after the ballot had closed, and when their votes were not re• gularly admissible, bot that both expressed their dis position to vote in favour of the Report of the Special Committee. The numbers were then announced— • For the Approval of the Report 66.—Apiost It 63.—Majority 3. The Report was received, and approved accord ingly. The CHAIRMAN was then about to proceed with the ballot for the six Members of the General Coin• mittee, when Mr. COCKER begged to offer a few remarks before it commenced, on the subject of some papers which had been circulated by the Sub-Committee purport ing to be Reports from them and the General Com. mittee, bet containing what he must term many things the very reverse of troth. In some part of these the conduct of the Special Committee seemed to be particularly alluded to, and their proceedings (rested with contempt.—Mr. Cocker was about to read some parts of those papers, when Alderman Cox rose to order ; he conceived it would be irregular to have any of them read. There was no motion before the Meeting, and in order to go on with the regular titaness of tlve day, he should move that the ballot be forthwith proceeded in. The GRUMMAN said, that if Mr. Cocker meant to conclude with a motion, he was in order. Mr. Cocas* said that it was his intention, and continued his speech. The Sub-Committee had, he observed, objected to the Report of the Special Committee as being only their opinion—hot this was en error : the opinions of the Select Committee had been approved by a General Committee, which they were bound to obey. In one part of the Report it was said, that steps had been taken to engage Mr. Colman—that the Sob-Committee had seat to know the terms on which he would accept it ; bet that Mr. Colman's answer which was, that he would state his terms as soon as the pecuniary em barrassments of the Theatre had been got rid of, had of course concluded the negociation. This part of the Report he (Mr. Cocker) contended was incor rect, and went on to show from the former declara tion of the Sub-Committee, as to the arrangement of the pecuniary embarrassments, and from their letter to Mr. Coleman, and hie answers, that his having required the settlement of those pecuniary difficul ties, before be stated his terms, ought not to have put an end to the negotiation, if they were really disposed to go on with it. He next adverted to the placard published by Mr. Rubies, which be main• tabled that Gentleman bad a right to do as a Pro prietor. He then called the attention of the. Medt log to the statement of the Committee respecting ___ . . _ _ w the Misfit's: This statement, which well for two years, showed Mat— te the seastie 0,161647 the income was Z 15.926 0 0 Renewers in same time 41,9iS 14 0 Rent and charges 6,554 17 3 This last item •wclald, to en ordinary observer, appear as having been part of the expences, and forming part of the gross sum of 49,2231.; but the fact was not so, for it was a separate charge, and should have been added to the rest. ' From this cal culation it appeared that there was a loss to the The atre in the *woe 1816-17 exceeding 10,0001. ; and from the account of the sums received and expended in the season 1817-18, it appeared that the total loss of that period was 99661. 61. Id., making a grand total of loss in the two seasons of! I W , 8171. 16s. lid. and no interest whatever paid. From this the Meeting might form • general idea of the nature of the management. With respect to the reducing of the prices of admission, he was of opinion that nothing could more ruinous to the concern. Taking the showing of the Sub. Com. mitres., it was certain to be unproductive, unless, in deed, there was, whet, as yet, there was DO prospect I of, such an eatraordinary accession of talent to the Company as would ensure constantly crowded houses. The Committee themselves had shown that, upon a comparison of the receipts, when the prices were at Cis. to the period of their being at Is., the dif fecence was near 301. i night in foveae- of the lattertl price ; and yet, with this comparison, they thought I fit, without at all consulting the general body, to re duce the price not to six, bet to five shillings at once. Mr. Cocker went on at considerable length to com ment ou the several parts of the Report of the Spe- 1 ciat Committee, and to show that those of the other Committees were grossly erroneous in their allusions to it. in conclusion he begged the Meeting to keep a watchful eye on the proceedings of the Sub-Com mittee; if not, they would in time find themselves called upon, perhaps, for additional sums on their shares, which would be more than their shares might be worth. Ile then moved, apparently pro forma, that certain documents do lie on the table. Mr. WILSON baring observed, that if the Sub Committee were to blame for their management, it was a blame which ought to be borne with them by his (Mr. Cocker's) colleague, Mr. Lamb. Mr. LAMB rose, and in a speech of nearly an hoer, defended himself from the imputations which, he said, had been attempted to be cast upon him, not by the Gentleman opposite (Mr. Wilson), for lie was the only one who had the manliness to come forward with any thing like a charge, but by anonymous writers; by publications which, if not coming di rectly from the Sub-Committee, were, he had no doubt, under its sanction. In some of these were in• serted letters, some of them private, and conversa tions often confidential, which the Members of the Committee alone could know, and which therefore could ant have reached the public eye without their knowledge and consent. Ile was free to admit that he had a right to take his share of the blame attendant upon any mismanagement of the Sub-Committee op*, a certain time, but then it did not follow that he croold sit tamely under charges and Insineatioest of being the coup of the disasters which had oc curred since. The Honourable Gentleman then went into • long statement of his principal trans actions with the Committee to the period of his re signetion It would he impossible, consistently with the insertion of ether matter, to follow him through such a variety of detail. Ills object seemed to be, not so much to cast imputations on any of those who acted with him, as to de fend himself from those who throw the blame of every thing on him alone. lie strongly denied his having ever agreed with Mr. Kinnsird to refuse a seat in the Sub-Committee, unless he were also named, end reed a letter of Mr. Douglas Kin naird's to that effect. After Mr. Kinuaird had left the Committee, he (Mr. Lamb) offered to resign, `but. at the earnest request of several Members, he continued to give them his services. He took upon himself, by their desire, nearly the whole weight of business, which he endeavoured to discharge as well as his abilities permitted. When, however, he could not afterwards approve of the proceedings which were adopted, he resigned ; and a long time after he was accused not merely of every thing which was not suc cessful in his own lime,but also of every failure which had taken place since then. In reply to this be u - served, that there was scarcely one piece which failed since he resigned, that he had not either refused or sent back for revision. Indeed, so great was this rage for novelty, and so rooted was the notion that, novelty and variety alone would fill the Tres• Bury, that it was by this Sub-Committee, or by its sole director, suggested that the Manager should be instructed to produce two new pieces every w. k.-- (hear! and a laugh.)—After he had reelined, he was anxious to let some of the Proprietors know his reasons; and with this view be told ahem to Mr. Robing. Mr. Robins asked him, es he ditatiproved of what was going on in the Sub-Committee, to coalesce with those who oppoorattores whielehe con. ceived it would be cowardice in him to have refused, and be did therefore join. Mr. Lamb then alluded to the cowduct of the present sale Director, sod en. deavoured to show, that with hii system the Theatre could not benefited. Its conclusion, he thanked he Meeting for the kind indulgence they had always shown to Wren and assured them, that though the present would be his last appearance on that stage, he should be at all times ready to forward their best in. terests.—(Greal applause.) Mr. Witsox said, he. had only went, in alluding to Mr. Lamb, to say, that if the Sub-Committee de served blame, be ought to have his share. lie meant not to detract from his media, when in saying es 14 now did, that he would rather consult him as a Hwy.+ than a stage manager. With respect to the appoint. ment of Mr. Kemble, it was such as met his warm concurrence, as he conceived that under the directiOn• of such amen there was the only chance of the Pro prietors receiving one shilling. The. CuerastAtt defended the Geheral Committee from a charge of neglect. They were accused of being led by a small body : it was true, and he was always against it ; for be was of opinion that • little oligarchy of five could not govern any 'thing, much less • concern of such importance; and in assenting to their appointment, it was that they should bale the controul of the expenditare until the Theatre should be let ; and until I wes let, he thooght the concerti *NO bevoiongworse and worse every year. He 7' f _ _~~. ' i. "IV Nr". was also ggainbt the redaction of tie prices, b he concejded h a degrodition'to Old Drary, bat his opinion did not prevail. The CHAIRMAN was again about to proceed with the election, when he recollected that a question had been put by a Lady, which had not been answered. He now requested tier to put it again. Mrs. BUTLER repeated her questibn risiktive to the • non.rogagement of Mai Johnstone, and expressed her regret that any mistaken notions.of economy on the part of the Committee should have deprived the Theatre of so great a sopped, and the Public of the exertions of one of its greatest favourites. Mr. LAMS said, that the Committee hid Dew consulted the Proprietors upon any engagement s which 7. they made. It was contrary to established rule. CRAIRMAN then referred the Lady to Mr. S. Mrs. BUTLER begged Mr. Kemble to answer ba t The as question. Mr. KeMBLE said, the pretent place was not the proper one for such a diseatsion. Here the matter dropped. The ballot was then proceeded with, end the following Gentlemen were drawn as those who should go oat:—Richard Wil. son, Esq. ; the Earl of Estes ; Lewis Greffeehe, Esq.; David Ricardo, Esq. ; Sir Thomas Turtoe; and the Earl of Yampa*. , They were .it re-proposed and elected, *s t eps' Lewis Grefeuhe, Esq. in whose place Mr. Dant pro. posed Mr. G. Robins.—To this Mr. Moons moved an amendment, substituting the name of Mr. Church for that of Mr. Robins. Upon this question the Meeting divided—. For the Motion 92 I Fur the Amendment !6 I Majority 6. Mr. Robins was then proposed, and the question carried almost enanimously. Thanks were afterwards voted to the Chairman, a the Meeting adjourned. ?It ICH or STOCKS TH Bank Sleek S per Cent. Neil. 9 per Cent.Cutbuis So per Cent. unnsnl. Inc Ace. 75110 I per Cent. IS DAY AT O O'CLOCK. 5 per Cent. Navy 11/sj! 'lndia Bonds 74 75 p Long Ann. Exchequer Bills 15 17 p °amines 54 dis. THE STATESMAN. LONDON: TIWRIPLY, OCTOBER I v ' *IL THE QUbEN. Notwithstanding the fa suitable statements that have been published within these few days of her Ms• /LIITY'II condition, it appears that no material change for the better has taken place in the general state of bet health. Tbs following is the Betletin published this morning : 61 Xew Peaty, Oct. 1. " Illegal** has hao several tram sleep in the eight. bit 4 does not appear to have produced any material asap ot the symptmas 'feet MArrYlr'S diocese. (Sped) " F. NI ILMAN7 During almost the whole of yesterday her Kt• scarf continued rather better than she has been for some time. She was again removed into bar boudoir, and partook of the dinner, prepared for her table, with a tolerable appetite. She was at tended, during her repast, by both the PRINGEMS. After seven o'clock, however, her MAJOTY bad a slight recurrence of fever, and was by no mesas se welt as she was in the early part of the day.--- Immediately after the promulgation of the Bulletin of yesterday, Sir Ftt•scrs MILMAR set of for Lon. don, leaving Sir HENRY IIALTORD in attendance; and, at five o'clock in the evening, he returned to the Palace. The Normans again passed great part of the forenoon in the grounds, attended by Gene ral TAYLOR and Sir HENRY 11ALFORD. Their Royal, Highnesses appear to find much relief, from the tedium end anziety of their present projecting the different improvements which are go• ing on, and in superintending their notation. 'A great number of workmen are employed in these al terations. The temples and alcoves, which had been suffered to fall into a very resinous state, have bete repaired and decorated ; and it is intended to lay down a number of spacious gravel walks, intersect• lug the lawn et several points. One very sped** , walk, nearly half a mite in length, is already is great forwasdeess. It is to emend from the Aviary gate of the home shrubbery ever the lawn, to the covet calleffthe }lolly Walk, near the Pagoda ;sad will form a good winter promenade. This, is theist Roysl Highnesses may remain there some wreaths, will be a great improvement ; the old walks Wag bet few, and those very confiued. ' At half-past five o'clock, the Patrice Reamed arrived from Carlton.bouse, and had an immediate conference with both the Physicians, at the close of which Sir HENRY HALIrOAD, who had been waiting some time for the arrivel of his Royal Highness, lam stantly set out for Windsor Caitle, to attend tie Plinetri SOPIIIA. his Royal highness afterwards visited the chamber of her hisistartaood, having remained about three quarters eraa tees at Ills Palace, he returned to Carlton-house. The state of the Labouring Classes, and the lab. ject of their grievances from low wager, have b$ come matter of serious consequence to the DMA Nation ; and the Legiiiniore would do well to at tend to the public happiness iri this respect, by the application of another remedy than what the hand of ,coercion and punishment has hitherto supplied. —le• damn', in the districts where commotion eras the o bo e n c d o n t h s eeq efforte of t & n i l l o s l e d r y olt a li r a , a s ti r o: u m i : G d o n h t e i 1 0 Se; 741 , ' • \ \ ~~ . I II