The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-03
CRITICISM US. PUFFERY.

founded upon the artistic nature of their pro-
ductions; and without going back to the
origin of criticism, it need only be stated that
custom has made it a regular branch
of journalism, and that the public expect to
read the opinions of the press upon the merits
and demerits of artistic performances. With
regard to books and pictures, the critic gener-
ally has but little difficulty in doing his duty
no more and no less-in manner satisfac-
tory to himself and to the public; but a va
riety of circumstances have combined to es-
tablish a system of gratuitous advertising and
pufferyi in connection with theatrical and musi-
cal matters that is very far removed from the
regular line of candid and honest criticism.
This is particularly the case with regard to ira
yelling shows of every description, the
managers of which are firmly impressed with
the idea that they have unlimited claims
upon the consideration of publishers and
editors and that few free tickets are more
than ample compensation for preliminary
notices that, if charged for at regular rates,
would amount to hundreds of dollars. 1t is
the duty of the newspapers to criticize every
thing in the way of dramatic or musical at
fractions that are worthy of criticism, but it
is not their duty to advertise such attractions
gratuitously; and the system of preliminary
puffery which now exists is neither Just to the
newspapers or the public, and it ought to be
broken up, as it certainly can be if the pub
Usher will only do their plain duty in the
matter.
The Morning Post of last Saturday had an
article on this subject which was very much
to the point. The following portion of it, in
particular expresses our views exactly
"It is time that the gratuitous advertising of New
dnS 6G S m by the press OF Pha
S e 9R Lea e BGS Goos
full run of play be had, and New York correspond
ents shower upon us without stint, audatory crit-
cisms intended to awaken public interest here apd
insure the pecuniary success Of the individual, the
play, the opera, or whatever It may be. Honest,
to speak of dement's as well as excellen-
cies, would be acceptable to our public, but
criticism looking only to the llonizing OF its subject
and the aggrandizement OF its writer, is fraud
practised upon the public. 1t is well enough in its
way, perhaps, to announce as an item OF news that
Bonfant is at Nibo's, that Fechter is playing Ham
let, that Nilsson sings in 1rogatore but to give
| the accurate dimensions OF Bonfanti's legs
how long she can stand on one and assure
to make us believe that Fechter is greater than
Kean, GarIick and Kemble combined and that
Nilsson totally eclpses Jennie Lind, displays de-
| gree OF impudence and yet withal credullty that
makes us laugh at the innocence of those who sup
| pose Philadelphia so easily deceived. Were there
any comfy in this thing it might be tolerated. But
| who ever read in New York paper announce
| ment of the grand success OF A. b, or C
| here? Our artists musicians, and actors 'to the
| manor born POSSIBLY because they do not need
| it are never trumpeted for months in advance, but
when they reach the city OF magnificent frauds, are
compelled and very properly too to rely for audi
ences or spectators upon their merits, and the aid
which liberal and judicious advertising always gives
| We do not complain that New YOrk institutions are
not advertised here. They are, and literally too,
"a q narin
corspton of correspondents, and that sickly senti-
| ment, prevalent among local editors, which makes
them recognize anything coming from New York,
| ilSo tdctO, as excellent and worthy Of extended
notice."
New York, as every person capable of
forming an opinion on the subject we'll
knows, is not the artistic and intellectual
centre of the United States; and the practice
of travelling managers and artists attempting
to advertise themselves for nothing by means
of New York letter writers, news kilograms,
and other devices of like character, is
nuisance that ought to be abated. The pub
lie of Philadelphia have been taken in often
enough to know something of the peculiarly
worthless character of the usual endorsements
that dramatic, musical, and other celebrities
receive in New York; and while we will ex-
tend hearty welcome to any attractions that
are really of character to demand favorable
notice, we believe that managers should be
made to learn that public opinion is not to be
manufactured here by the stale devices that
have been in vogue so long, and that if they
want their shows advertised to the public they
must pay the usual rates therefor.
THE CONTEST IN PHILADELPHIA.
The prospects of Republican triumph, in
this city, at the coming election have been
materially improved by the practical de-
struction of the machinery for manufacturing
voters with railroad speed, which was ope-
rated so successfully in 1S6S-the Supreme
Court having prohibited the summary sys-
tenn of naturalization-and by the new safe
! guards against fraudulent registrations which
were created by the late act of Congress.
The arrests which have already taken place
have had such wholesome effect in intimi-
dating the repeaters, that, from present in
dications, there will be scarcely
half as many names on the extra
assessment lists this year as there were
on the lists of 1869. AS the Democratic
party will be deprived of its usual amount of
aid from coffse-pot naturalization papers,
and as its repeaters will be closely watched,
and, when detected, be severely punished,
uhiIa fha Rannhlicanc will oain q coaSida.a