The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-06-26
From The Boston Recorder.
STATE OF MORALS IN BOSTON.


Though we have nothing to boast OF, as
compared with what we ought to be; yet as
compared with other cities, we have great
cause Of gratitude, in view Of the state Of
public morals in Boston. 1t is true, that
many things still exist in Boston, over which
philanthropy must sigh and Christianity weep;
yet it is encouraging to know that great I'M
provement can be traced, in the course of
ie years. Our attention has been called to
this subject by some facts which have recent
" come under our notice. 1t is mentioned IN
the daily papers, that not single offence
was charged against any one at the police
office, the day after the Artillery Election
HoHdoy On the afternoon of that day,
great concourse of persons, including women
and children, We're congrcgated on the Com
mon; it all was quiet and orderly. There
were no fisticufs, no brawling, no strife. But
in former times, riot on the afternoon OF
election day, was expected as matter OF
course, as stalls for the sale of intoxicating
liquors, aud gaming tables, wers permitted on
the Common But there has been wonder
full change since these things were prohibited
by the city authorities.
We derive, also, still greater satisfaction
from some statements made IN the report OF
the Directors Of the fremont Theatre 10 the
stockholders, at the annual meeting, May 81,
1885 from which we learn the gratifying
fact that "th6 Theatrical business in Boston,
for the last two or three years, has been, and
still is. in state Of extraordinary depression"
The report goes into history Of the ".theairi-
cal business in Boston, particularly IN reie-
renee to the failure Of the attempt 10 support
two first class theatres, and the connexlon
of Mr.. Barry with the fremont theatres"
from which it appears that the concern has
been dragging heavily for number OF years
The present Theatrical season." they say,
"opencd with a fattering prospect OF bril-
liant success but after few weeks, during
which the city was filed with strangers, the
patronage Of the theaire fri beyond all prece-
dent. and the season proved upon the whole
worse, it is believed, than since the first
opening Of the theatre. Those stockholders
who have been in the habit OF attending the
theatre personally, and who have witnessed
for themselves the empty boxes and bare
benches, except on few benefi, nights, will
not need this information; and those who
have been in the habit of attending lectures
md other evening amusemenis, IN preference
to the theatre, will be as well able as he d.
rectors to account for the fact, that no theatrl-
cal attraction has proved sufficient to draw
out the Boston public.
The report proceeds 10 a detail Of the pre-
sent financial condition Of the thertre. lhey
say, "Mr. Barry stated his conviction 'hat
nothing but loss could be expected. ior me
residue Of tho season, and that, Judging from
annearances thus far, he could not anticipate
receipts sufficient to cover the current ex,
no,sas If Tho theatre, exclusive of rent"
iTb. business did not improve, and the re-
co;nts have not been more than sufficient to
enable the lessee TO keep the theatre open
without paying the rent" ltseems Mr.. Barry
has lost, during the five years which he has
had the management Of the theatre, accord
ing TO one estimate, $4,000; and according
to another, SIC, 0oo--,he former being over