New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-04-27
rUrlrRJcAL TARIFF TAINTED.

everywhere Imagine tno scHo"Vion VI
dramatic "Long Strike !" the streets tumultuT
Gus with professions composed OF 1amlliar
heroes and heroines of the drama, bearing
banners with revolutionary Shakespearean
devices; dead-walls and scaffoldings denuded
of their wonted iridian decorations; stages
carpeted with dust instead of baize, and chaotic
with purpOseless combinations OF deserted VIZ
lagos, blasted forests, and ruined temples;
thistles shooting from the untr0dden aisles
of parduets, and the. wild ass roaming nm
checked among the stalls. A spectacle to set
the public eye rolling in tho finest conceivable
frenzy, and one not likely to be long deferred,
unless. if we may credit the voices which
reach us from the green-rooms, steps are
speedily taken. AS to the character OF he
steps, or the direction in which they need be
taken, we yet lack intelligence, the prevailing
discomfort not having settled upon any form
of definite action. That grievance is felt to
exist is beyond doubt; but it does not appear
that anybody has discovered the method OF
redressng it. Let us first examine the grew
ance, and afterward consider what may be
done toward its abatement.
The hospitality of the theatrical profession IS
proverbal It's members are always prompt TO
welcome the coming guest, and, in due course
Of time, equally ready to speed his parting
OF late years, however, while they have en-
ioyed unprecedented opportunities of offering
greeting TO their brethren from abroad, the
occasions for celebrating their departure have
been singularly few. This interruption to the
established order of things conld hardly pass
unnoticed While the steady flow increased
the usual corresponding ebb grew gradually
imperceptible. A historic parallel to the sor-
rows of the simple aborgines of many ages
and many lands appeared inevitable. And 1t
has come. Like the Normans in Britain, and
the Spaniards in Mexico. the dramatic legions
of Europe have abandoned their disguise OF
peaceful visitors aud boldly planted the stand
ard of the invader. For long time this
ultimate intent was suspected by few, but
their anxieties were derded by the multitude.
Too confident in the strength OF established
claims upon the public, theatrical Americans
took no heed of the warning fragments which,
in the form Of faky burlesque cOhesions, or
brittle concert.saloon detachments, came drop
ping among them, or OF the lowering masses
that menaced from afar, until the avalanche
burst upon them, the old landmarks were
swept away, and the mischief was complete
before an effort had been made to avert it.
Here. then, lies the trouble. Our native aud
naturalized actors and actresses are in immi-
nent peril of their professional life. The in
roads OF English companies are taking shape
which seems to denote systematic organization
and a determination to check the growth, IL
not TO strike at the root of American dramatic
art Already, in this city, half dozen theaters
are occupied almost exclusively by foreign per-
formers, and others shine only by the light Of
European stars The evil is bitterly COM
planned of, and protection is loudly called for.
Protection should be afforded. England offers
inferior articles at cheap prices, managers bar
gain at wholesale, and retail to the public with
immense profit, and American histrionic indus
try is crowded out of the market. What is to
be done to equalze the competition 7 The best
thing We can recommend is an application for
an amendment to the Tariff A delegation of
persuasive ladies and gentlemen should forth
with proceed to Washington and lay the mat
ter before Congress Bearing the proofs of an
obvious injustice, and fortified alike by the
rhetorical arts of their calling and that wealth
| OF acquired dramatic eloquence which makes
| the conversation of actors always seductive
and their arguments invariably irresistible,
they could hardly be gainsaid All branches of
| the profession should be represented in order
| to support the claim by every shade and va
riety of influence To the tragedian the duty
of depicting the wrongs of his brotherhood
would naturally fall. Threatened domestic
suffering would be appropriately illustrated by
tender and pathetic representatives of old
men, like Triplet, and famine should plead in
| the narrowing tones of infant phenomena.
Wandering and inattentive Congressman could
be briskly brought to their duty by leading
ladies, and the resources Of comedy might DO
invoked to mitigate the austerities of prolonged
hearings, or to assail with ridicule and satire
the pretentions of tho immigrant usurpers.
That powerful committee of investigation
could ut once be formed, especially if author
lied to send for persons and papers, we do not
for an instant doubt. The justice of the petit
ton would commend itself to every mind The
commonest American artisan, the meanest
mechanic, is shielded from unfair foreign
rivalry the actor, almost alone stands unde-
Tended. Painters are protected, and sculptors.
Poets are not, but that is the fault of tho copy
right law, and not of the tariff, The most
popular art Of oil is left by thoughtless Gov
srnmept to take care of itself.
In what manner and to what amount, duties
might be imposed upon foreign players, it Is
not our province to determine. The scale
would probably be settled by professional rank
and "linesn Of business. Upon every individual
n suiiieent SUM should be loyied to make II