The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-10-09


of the visit such an association must have its
influence in elevating somewhat q people who
need elevation certainly as much as any popu-
lation throughout the Old World.
The squabbIes or the Theatrical MANI
ayers.
The eleven unfortunate associated managers,
led by Oily Cannon, Of the Opera, and Joyce
Heth in breeches, of the Museum, are getting
deeper and deeper into trouble. Their associa-
ton was originally formed to reduce the wages
Of their musicians, and in order to accomplish
this one of the managers sagely proposed to
abolish orchestras altogether and substitute
hand organs. But of late the original idea Of
the association has been largely extended, and
the eleven foolish managers now undertake to
control the press, regulate the whole theatrical
profession and bully the bill-posters The re-
suit Of all this is that the actors and other en-
ployes of the theatres consider that the man
ayers have associated together 10 make strike
against them, and they are now preparing to
strike back by organizing an actors protec-
tive society upon grand scale.
That there is great deal of justice in the
view which the actors take Of the managers
association must be admitted. The other day
an honest bill-poster was called up before the
associated managers and ordered to refuse to
post bills for all places of amusement not re-
presented in the combination. The bill-poster
declined to succumb; told the managers to go
to the place which Mr. Henry Ward Beecher
declares does not exist, and was Immediately
dismissed. The actors are by no means certain
that their turn will not come next The asso-
citation may reduce their salaries at moments
notice, or it may dictate to them at what
theatres they must or must not appear, or it
may decide what line of parts each player shall
adopt or it may abolish all distinctions between
what are technically called lines Of business,
and make everybody play general utility"
Having SO far exceeded its original plan, there
is no telling with what the association may
next attempt to interfere; and at present the
actors have no redress If the blow be aimed
at them. Hence the necessity for protective
society. Already loud complaints are made of
petty outrages on the part Of the managers
II seems that a poor ballet girl left Bowery
theatre and engaged at a Broadway theatre,
her wages being advanced from five dollars
week to twelve. The Bowery manager de-
manded her back, and, under rule OF the
association, the poor girl had to go, thus losing
seven dollars week and all chances Of rising
in her profession. Another instance Is that Of
an actor who went from an uptown theatre to
one lower down, on the promise Of better
wages and better position He, too, was de-
mandcd back and given up, like fugitive
slave. Other artists have been fairly driven
ont Of the city, and others stin have boon semi
officially notified that they cannot appear on
Broadway, because they have offended the asso-
citation in some manner or other.
What with their differences with the press,
their squabbles with the bill-posters, their
diminished audiences and the storm brewing
be ween them and their employees, the man
ayers are already pretty thoroughly Disguised
with the leadership of Oily Cannon and Joyce
Heth in breechcs. AT every step they become
more involved in difficulties. The weekly press,
formerly so subservicnt, has now turned against
them, and, with refinement Of cruelty of
which we are fortunately incapable, 1t shows
up the characters of Joyce Heth and Oily
Cannon in the most vigorous and uncharitable
style. The daily press is beginning to assert
its independence, and criticises plays recently
produced by one of the associated man
ayers as "disgusting," "6lthy,' "bcastly" and
"unspeakably revolving" Several new thea
tres are in contemplation or in process Of erec-
ton to supersede the present effete concerns
and completely reform the drama. The public
no longer hesitate to hiss bad actors and sing
ers. The unknown artists lately imported for
the Opera do not even compare favorably with
Kellogg, and nobody ever thought her first
class vocalist, worthy to be mentioned In the
same breath with Grisi or Malibran. Instead
Of the hourishes which we expected, the organs
of the managers association print column after
column OF apologies, explanations and excuses.
This singer did not appear; that singer had q
bad cold; the other singer was nervous, and the
rest will do better in other roles, and SO on to
the end of the chapter. There Is great deal
Of damning with faint praise, but no enthusi-
assn, although the organs are paid to get II up.
All these things have bad look for the eleven
foolish managers. We must confess that our
amusement at their silly conduct IL not unmin-
gled with pity for their misfortunes. They have
hard winter before them; everything is dear,
and their expenses are very heavy; they have
cut themselves of from the great body Of the
public, who respond by leaving them alone Sc
verely, and now their employees are contem-
plating a rebellion. Oily Cannon and Joyce
He,h in breaches have involved their associ-
ates in all their own difficulties. The sad re-
suits Of evil companionship we're never more
strikingly cxemplihed.