Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-10-02
The Theatrical Manasers .na ,h.
ssHera Id ~

CESSATION OF DIPLOMATIC REL lTIoxs
Among the most prominent bits of town ros
sip Of the last few days has been the arffor
taken by the theatrical managers OF this citv
in closing their relations and withdrawing q
their patronage from the Herald. The facts Of
the case may interest the public, as they in
yolye question which, we understand, may
be decided by legal proceedings-the point be-
ing; whether an editor Of paper has right 10
exclude advertisements, or whether he is
Obliged TO take all advertisements thar nav
on~r which are not of an improper Character
The uestion IN England and France has we
believe, been legally decided In favor Of the
latter alternative.
Mr.. Bennett, the editor and proprietor of the
htrdtd had recently personal difficulty with
Max Maretzek, which resulted in the with
drawa OF the operate Advertisements and lob
printing from the Herald establishment Al
though this affair attracted much attention,
the theatrical managers did not deem IL incum-
oent upon theIn TO take any side in Whist ap-
peared 10 be personal matter. In the mean
ume the Herald declared that the opera was a
slckly superfluity, and advocated in strong
terms tne superior attractions and merits Of
Afew days ago MIR. Barnum presented his
advertisement at the counter of the Herald
Office, and il was refused. The clerk declined
10 give any reason, further than that he had
received orders 10 that effect from the editor
1t is stated informally that Mr.. Bennett is not
satisfied with the terms Of his purchase Of the
late Museum property, corner OF Ann street
and Broadway, and seeks TO modify the trans
action. This Mr.. Barnum declines to do and
hence, II is supposed, his advertisements were
refused.
The theatrical managers now deemed IL
proper to lake some notice Of the course of the
Herald proprietor. They therefore held a
meeting, at which the Academy of Music
Wallack's, Niblo's Winter Garden, Old
BoweTy, New BOwery and the Olympic thea
ters, Barnum1s Museum, and Woods and
BIyani Mlnstrels, We're represented by their
After the matter was duly discussed il was
moved that the managers present withdraw
their patronage from the Herald. Mr.. Stuart,
of Winter Garden, offered an amendment 10 the
effect, that before taking action, a committee
be appointed 70 wait on Mr.. Bennett and in
quire why the Museum advertisement was
refused. This amendment was carried by a
majority OF one, and Mr. Wallach, Mr. Lin
gard and Mr.. Stuart were appointed as such
committee.
These gentlemen called on Mr. Bennett and
were courteously received, although he plainly
refused 10 give them any explanation of his
refusal TO accept the Barnum advertisement,
and claimed that he had full right 10 refuse
any advertisement One member of the COM
mittee agreed with Mr.. Bennett in the viewing
the matter, but the other two differed from him.
The committee called another meeting OF the
managers, and reported 10 them the result of
the interview; whereupon il was unanimously
agreed that they should withdraw after to-
day all their advertisements from the Herald
should give II no more of their job printing,
and should refuse 10 admit the PLAY Bib 10 their
respective establishments. Henceforth, there
fore, the theater- going public need not look to
the Herald for the advertisements of amuse-
ments. 1t is fair to add, however, that the
Broadway Theater, the Hippotheatron, the San
Francisco Minstrels, the American Theater and
Tony Pastors Opera House are not represented
in this managerial coalition.
1t will be observe that in taking this action
the managers do Rot espouse any individual
cause, or retalate any personal grievance.
With the troubles Of Max Maretzek and Phineas
7. Barnum with James CT. Bennett they have,
officially, nothing to do. But they claim as
principle that the newspaper which, by their
unanimous DatrOndQp. thew have done
to benefit, shall not arbitrarily refuse their ad-
yertisements, and deprive them of the advan-
tages OF that circulation they have done so
much TO increase. Mr.. Bennett takes an oppo-
site view, and claims the right of refusing any
advertisement he pleases. This point may be
decided III the courts of law.-N T. Post