New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-26
ARTISTS IND ARIIEICE.

We hope Judge Sutherland may find il in
his conscience TO refuse the motion of the
proprietors of The Rochester Union and Adrer-
tSer to transfer Dir. Max StrakOscb's libel suit
from Ncw-York to Monroe County. The
points at issue in this remarkable case are so
interesting to the world at large, and the tes
timOny, If We get all that We are promised,
will be so entertaining, that no courts except
those of the metropolis ought to have the try
ing of it. Mr.. Strakosch complains that when
he was about bringing the Nilsson troupe to
Rochester The Union and AGueriiSr damaged
his business by false, scandalOus, and ma
"hcious libel" to the effect that Nilsson was
not " lirst-class artist" equal to Jenny Lind,
that - was too much for a ticket. and the
natural result of every Nilsson concert was to
make score of thieves. The defendants
plead justification, and also aver in their
answer that the clever manager has taken UNI
fair devices to progresses the public mind
or, to speak coarsely, that he is a swindling
humbug.
By all means let the quarrel he fought out
on these issues. Judge Sutherland's decision
may settle several important controversies. 1t
may set at rest the dispute about Missions
style of vocalsm, upon which there is at
present difference of opinion. The learned
Judge has not heard her himself, but he has
"seen her at church" Let the fair Swede take
the stand and give his Honor n stave-a bit
Of the mad scene from Hamlet" for instance,
with appropriate costume, and, if possible,
straws in her hair. If Judge Sutherland after
that he still unable to decide (Which we do
not anticipate), let Mr. StrakOsch call the
thirty eight witnesses whom he has III waiting
in this city. There is an eminent member of
the bar at whose house counsel assures us that
Miss Nilsson has dined. If, as we infer the
lady on that occasion Obliged with song"
the evidence of this gentleman will
be deeply Interesting if not absolutely
conclusive. A second question is in
volvcd in this trial not less momcntOus than
the question, Can Nilsson sing 2 We mean the
question of the duties and immunities Of crit
cism. Is it libelous to say that Jenny Lind
is better than Nilsson When a journalist
reviews concert, in the exercise of his pro-
fcssiOnal function, must he do it with the
fear of law suit before him Suppose
musical critic knows nothing about music
and that happens sOmetimes-will the court
punish him for making fool Of himself
And if he thinks the entertainment is not
worth the price charged for it, is it criminal
for him to say so?
These are matters in which at least two pro-
LESSONS have particular concern but we
anticipate for the public at large much more
entertaining results from the secondary branch
of the case,-the inquiry, to wit, whether Mr..
StrakOsch is a scandalous old humbug. This
can be properly pursued only in NewYOrk.
The arts of management flourish in their per-
lection nowhere in America except here, and
their details can only be explained by the
shabby genteel agents, cOnnOisseurs, dOOr-men,
ticket-dcalers. and brOkendOwn artists who
hang about New-YOrk concert rooms and the
offices of the minor newspapers. What
astonishing developments o shrewd lawyer
might reach by the testimony of "the man
"ahead,"-that brilliant and plausible creature
in satin scarf and vanished boots, who con-
tracts an intimate friendship with the critic before
the company arrives, and has such wonderful
anecdotes of the great star, and stories of
European triumphs. He dictates the opinions
of The Morning Mash Tub and The Erenng
Ecsfacu. He flatters the not very wise critics
of those not very judicious organs of public
opinion, tempts them perhaps with peep be-
hind the scenes or admission to a dress re-
hearsal, gets them to print putls in advance,
and on the night of the first performance
takes care of them between the acts. They
publish enthusiastic notices next morning, and
believe they are giving their own honest YER
Dict but the man ahead has suggested every
word. Every great concert troupe besides has
following of subordinate agents, dingy fellows,
with semi professional aspect, and questionable
linen, and uncertain boots. They hang about
the box-ofice by day. and haunt the Hobbies
at night. Nobody knows how they live or
what they are good for. If the court COM
PEELED them to tell how they earned their pay,
don't you suppose the tale would be amusingf
There are certain bar-rOOms and beer-cellars,
mostly in the neighborhood of Union-square,
wherein rather less reputable set of loungeB
can always be found. They know all the man
ayers and understand all the tricks of the
trade, and could tell many queer story of
humbug if the lawyers would only ask them.
We could point out half dozen Journalists
who would give piquant but unwilling testi-
| InOny III such case; and the literary gentle