The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-11

THEATRES AND THE PREss.-A very pretty quar-
rel is that between the London press and the
theatres, on the subject Of the blank orders
which the former have been in the habit
of receiving from managers. Mr. Albert
Smith. proprietor Of popular exhibition
and Mr.. Charles Matthews, lessee of the
Lyceum, have come forward. and stated in
print, that the privilege enjoyed by editors of
ranking friends to their performances, had been
abused to such an extent, that they were each
of them, losers to the extent of 425 week, in
consequence. Mr.. Webster, lessee of the Hay
market and Adelphi theatres, has published q
tabular statement, by which it appears that the
London press, during the last three years would,
if paid for, have cost about SIT ,000 and he i'm
plies that this sum has been unjustifably taken
out of his pocket Thus attacked on all sides,
the London press has made no show Of resist
ance; the editors have willingly consented to
the withdrawal of the blank orders, and hence
forward the managers will have no reasonable
ground for complaint.
The victory has not been bloodless. however.
The London Times very aptly remarks, that if
managers were actual losers of the sum which
the newspaper orders would have cost had they
been purchased at the box office, they must
be doing an extremely profitable business. If
the admission of a non-paying spectator neces-
sarily involved the exclusion of paying one.
the receipts of dramatic houses must have been
enormous and this would be very proper
time to inquire into the expediency of adopt
ing lower rates Of prices, which would
throw the theatres open to the lower classes
are crowded to such an extent with paying
spectators that some of these must be denied
seats in order to accommodate the friends Of
editors there is positive dishonesty in selling
entry tickets without reserved seats. The man
who pays for box seat has right to box
seat if he cannot be furnished with one, he is
deliberately swindled by the manager The
very system of dividing the house into reserved
seats, and seats which are not reserved, is based
upon fraudulent disregard of the managers
duties. unless the reservation has reference
merely to the position of the seats. 1t is a pa
tent absurdity to say that the sale of ticket
to the boxes or the orchestra does not imply an
obligation on the part Of the manager to find a
seat for the purchaser.
Such are the remarks with which the London
Times accompanies its verdict Of approval of the
conduct Of the press in renouncing their privilege
of franking persons to the theatres Managers
will probably find that they have lost more
than they have gained by the rumpus. Not
that any apprehensions of petty revenge from
the respectable portion Of the London press
need be entertained but the obvious duties of
proprietors Of theatres will be more rigidly en-
forced now than heretofore. 1t has too fire.
quently happened that a leading newspaper has
thrown its shield over the delinquencies of q
manager, and sheltered him from the just in
dignation Of the public. No such protection
which indeed involves great sacrifice Of prin-
ciple on the part Of the journal-must be ex-
pected for the future. Both newspapers and
theatres will do their duty to the public with
out favor or privilege, and the character Of
both will stand on frmer basis.
Though we manage matters here differently
from our transatlantic neighbors and there
is no likelihood of any similar dispute in this
city the principles which have been evolved
by the recent discussion in London are not
wholly inapplicable to ourselves The system
of allowing editors to hold blank orders to
theatrical performances is not, we believe, gen.
orally adopted in New York; but it is custom
airy to inscribe the names Of one or more gen.
tlemen connected with each newspaper on the
free list; and on special occasions, when o large
audience is expected, to send what are called
complimentary tickets, with reserved seats, to
each. This custom is observed by managers,
first, from motives of obvious selfinterest, and,
secondly, from motives of courtesy. Totally
apart from the regular criticisms Of dramatic
and musical performances which appear in the
columns Of the press, most Of the New York
journals acknowledge the compliment by draw
ing attention to the concerns of each theatre,
and giving such prominence to their perform
ances as could not be obtained from an adver-
tisement This is an actual benefit to managers,
appreciable in money. and would. we think, be
cheap at the cost Of the free tickets sent. if
both were valued in dollars and cents. Half
dozen tickets sent twice week to this Office
are not an extravagant return for the daily no
tice prefxed to our editorial columns. Nor
are the privileges extended to members Of the
press, by registering their names on the free
list, less amply compensated by the regular re-
port of the nightly performances. 1t is, in the
first place, right and proper that the public
should be regularly apprized of what is doing
at each theatre There is not little justice in
ample accommodation at the places Of public
amusement, Independently ofthe managers good
or i'll will. The public interest dictates
chat newspaper reporters should be allowed free
access to such exhibitions as plainly as police
men to public meetings: to exclude either would
be general inconvenience. Nor is the public
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