The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-19
The New York Musicians Strike-Mixed-
Up Condition of Affairs.

Up Condition of Affairs.
From tie NeU York Times of yesterday.
The Musical Mutual Protective Uniono does
not seem to be prosperous organization. It's
best members are dropping from 1t with steadi-
ness which in the end will leave nothing but the
scum. Recently the Union has endeavored to
COnclllate the theatrical managers. 1t requested
that committee might be appointed to agree
upon terms for the coming season. In a COM
mendabe spirit OF Cancellation three represen-
tatlve managers met and consulted with three
members OF the NJ. NJ. F. o.
1t was found impossible, however to submit
to the claim asserted by the Union, namely
that the latter should suggest the list from
which the various theatres should select their
artists. In other words, that none but members
of the Union should be permitted to play. Mr.
Wheatley, the President OF the Managers Asso-
citation, represented this difficulty TO the Pres-
dent OF the NJ. M. p. O., and the following final
letters were then exchanged. Mr.. Wheatley's
letter strikes us as being rather hetty:-
No. "a LUDLOW STREET New YORK, May 2l.-
W. Wheatley, Esq, President Managers Asso-
ciatlon.-Dear Slr:-Yours of the 18th, signify
ing the determination of the Managers Associa-
ton, with regard to the Association of which l
have the honor to be President, is at hand. l
Teeret very deeply that our respective com
mittees could not accomplish the object for
which they met. And that they could not, in
my opinion, Is owing to the mlsconsructiOn
your Association puts upon certain article in
our constitution. That article has existed since
the formation Ot our society, and was never in
ltuu6u us Il uGutCe 10 any person OF persons
who employ musicians but as an obligation
upon ourselves to prevent the system of under
mining which prevailed 50 extensively IN our
profession when the society first came into eX-
lstence, system which is carried out even now
n by a very numerous class, who, having me-
Chanical business during the day, find it a very
profitable source Of amusement to have con
Oyenlent place of resort during the evening. we'll
Rausned to keep the orchestral seats warm at
Iany price chance may bestow.
"A Ii is such as these who have brought our
,Sbranch of art-esteemed by the ancients as the
8frst--dOWn to what il is, almost a reprOach We
still, but they are not, and never have been,
n welcome members Our Society is not for the
protection of these, but for those whose whole
lie Is devoted to the art l so humDly represent
on this occasion.
Our members cannot earn living out of phil
harmonic concerts, nor by six months engage
+ \ment at the opera, nor yet by nine months
engagement in a theatre, at the rates now
! &given. II is therefore necessary that we look
s out for such good-paying Jobs as may chance to
~ come along during the year, to enable us to see
the end safely. 1t is for the latter kind of busi-
ness that our article of agreement binds us not
"A to play with non-members. For they are the
rats who have gnawed almost the lives out OF us
"a by taking our business secondhand, and at
# lower rates than first charged by us.
n / admit at the same time 1t covers the per.
formers in theatres, not as menace, howev er,
but as a necessity, consequent upon the Varlo us
interests we are brought to protect.
IL. With this eXDlanaJlOQ,I trust your ASSOCIATION
A will better understand why we consider it abso
W lutely necessary to retain the aforementioned
~ clause. What we have asked OF the Managers
t. Is, that we agree upon a minimum price for the
season that will be satisfactory to both parties,
81 for which we Will give guarantee That our
q members if engaged, shall fulfil their engage
ments 10 the end OF the yeaI We do not, and
l have not attempted to exact promise that
you will engage our members in preference
10 all others, but leave it open to you to engage
. or not as YOU choose. Leaving other matters
10 take care OF themselves, AID still hoping that
a better understanding may exist between oul
respective associations, have the honor to sub
scribe myself, very truly. yours,
D. L. DOWNING,
President Musical Mutual Protective Union.
NIBLo's GARDEN, New YORK, June Z, l8G6.-D
L, Downing, ESD, President Musical Mutua
Protective Unlon.-Dear Sir;-l have received
your favor OF May 2l There can be no possible
X Xmisconstruction of the article TO which tn
Alanagers' ASSOCIATION objects, however exalted
may have been the motives of your society II
framing 1t. II distinctly compels every musician
of your Union not to perform under any leade
or with any artist who does not derive priv
ege of employment from you, and would haV
% the effect at this moment OF oDngng an
manager who engaged lhe services oil any
81 your body to part with has present leader an
. Orchestral an alternative which the Managers
Association respectfully declines.
II aIso respectfully declines to arbitrarily dlt
ate tbe maximum or minimum amount whic
any artist is to receive iof MS services
= For the rest, without Venturlng 10 quesuo
!. .be correctness of the very unhattering estimat
which YOU, with such unequaled opportunitie
+ Iof Judging, have expressed of the character {
lmany members ofthe Musical Union, ,ot which 70
are the President and OF the motives Whlch II
anence them in the practice OF their art-which,
may nav observe more than iustihes the unfayorab
view which the public have taken OF many
the recent proceedings OF your AssoclSUl9qn-tth tI
managers cannot but feel, thar had tne la
occurred to your recollection that II
leading members of your body, by 10
saking. when employed in the orchestr
often for many NIGHTS in the week. u
1nties they had undertaken to discharge, an
committing them to substitutes from the yel
class now so severely reprobated, encourage
and sanctioned for their own ADVANTAGE
those evils to which you attribute the deterloT
lion of your profession, you would have spok'
of brother artists with somewhat more forbea
ance and moderation.
In closing our correspondence which, as
IL I. ..L ~.