New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-05-14
THE COURTS.
RIGHTS OF COL0RED PEOPLE.
RESISTANCE TO THEATKR AND SALOON PROPRIEroRs
THE COURTS REsORTED TO.

RIGHTS OF COLORED PEOPLE.
RESISTANCE TO THEATKR AND SALOON PRoPRIEroRs
THE COURTS REsoRTED TO.
The recent infringements of the Civil Rights
bin which provides that colored citizens shall enjoy
equal privileges with white brethren has resulted
In several suits which TO be tried in the SUI
preme Court the object being test validity of the
law which provides their civil rights There seems
10 be universal aversion among theater propretors 70
the association of coored and white citizens In the or
chestra hitherto the freedman has to be con-
tented with the top Of the house This has been
especially the In the South where II is said man
ayers often issue tickets worded invitation TO visit
ors and politely requesting contribution of rs cents
one dollar. whatever the price might be. toward de-
fraying expenses while in New-orleans managers
boldly snap their fingers at the bill and proclaim their
enirancefee for negro SIS Among tho cases which
have occurred in this city are the foowing
on April H. Robert Hamilton and Frederick c. Fuller
two colored men, purchased tickets for waaoks Thea
ter OF the agents OF Lester Walck the licensed owner
Of the theaer The night they presented the tick
the entrance 70 the dOorkeeper who refused TO
admit them and told them TO go the ticket agent and
get their money back They said they did not want
their money back, and insisted on going in. Upon
this the doOrkeeper jumped up and said You do Ia %
and took hold Of them, and violently pushed
them back. Hamilton said That is an assault
STRIP and after another attempt to enter they went
taking place.
Again, on the evening Of April d. James II. Fowler
and Lewis Mitchell two coored citizens purchased each
ticket Of the agent FOR Wallacks Theater paving 30
for the two On presenting them at the entrance on
the same evening, the at the gate told them they
"must see the boss" Mitchell and Fuller handed the
in charge their tickets and then started to 90 in as
white people were doing. They we're told by the man
that they could not in. They asked why The agent
retired within the theater without making any reply
and soon returned with money in his hands and said TO
them Here is the money; we have room for you"
They insisted on going in, and Mitchell asked what
grounds they refused admission. The reply was,
simply because have room for yOu. II s q
private establishment" They again rendered their
money and their continuing decline to take It the
man known the " boss" handed IL 10 a police officer
saying: 4" Here is this money. You a witness that
handed them back their money" After this he retired
into the ticketoce The men then took the money aud
left the theater
third case is that OF three colored men. Charles
Mckee, Christopher EatO and Joseph Jenkins. who
tered the restaurant and liquor saloon OF Michael Dixon
at No. 2s9 Beeckerst took their seats ut table, and
called for two stews" and one plate Of raw oysters
The proprietor refused tO serve them and said, We
don't serve your class at the tables As the tables
were unoecupied, they insisted on their order being
filed but they again refused aud ordered leave
place. They still refused and he told employee 10
call I, poceman 10 expel them An officer came hut
seeing that the creating disturbance, said,
You can't arrest those men; they doing nothing"
Dixon then told them that il they did not leave Inc
place he would put them out calling two or three
10 his To avoid any disturbance the
went away.
Elk Judge Z. D. Culver OF this city has instituted sut
in each OF these three cases-the two former against
Lester Wallack. and the latter against Mr. Dixon-in
bena OF the cOlOred men, who all citizens OF the
He claims 50 100 damages for each The
will up in the Supreme Court at early day Mr..
Walack Will be represented by Messrs. Brown. Hall &
VanderpOel. The prosecution Is chiefly based act
TO provide for the protection Of citizens civil and
public nights" which says BY reason OF color,
previous condition OF servude shall any citizen be
excluded from the full and equal enjoyment OF any
accommodation, advantage facility furnished by Inn
keepers common carriers Coaches railroads steamers
etc licensed owners managers essees OF theaters or
places OF amusement, schools by trustees, COM
missloners snperuendents teachers other officers OF
common schools public institutions OF learning,
by cemetry associations" The defense deny that the
Legislature has any right TO pass a law compelling
OF theaters 70 admit 70 their entertainments per
whose presence they think Will deiract from the
patronage they would otherwise receive.
Tue cOOred people are organizing for a large mass
meeting, which 10 be held at the Cooper Institute at
as early day possible They say that they will
test this question: and that they wish first learn their
nights under this law and then 10 maintain them Iney
wish lnrude where they are not wanted, bat
justly DESTROYS Of learning whether this law Is valid
and 80, II il and will be enforced meeting OF
cOlOred citizens will be held at the Cooper Institute TO-
evening, at which the subject Will probably be
byoa hed