The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-12-03
Card From Manager James Fitzsfm-



respectfully declined publishing any
card relative to the late company of
the Opera House until the present, as
it would probably have detracted from
that public sympathy so eagerly sought
as a pecuniary aid to their benefit.
But now as their benefit is over 1
would here remark that it had been
talked around the Opera House for
some time, that the engagements Of the
company would terminate before they
did, as certain parties had frequently OF
late suggested to me that a change Of
company was desirable, and as the only
plan left me was to notify the company
of the conclusion OF their engagements
and pay them for their ser
vices, which l did, though the official
notice OF the conclusion of their engage
ments might, perhaps, have been placed
before them earlier, yet it was suggest
ed to me that to have done so earlier
would have been very questionable,
from the fact that a company OF any
kind knowing previously for lengthy
period of their disbsnding, that a very
negligent and careless style of perform
auce would be prejudicial to company,
Unsatisfactory to an audience and hurts
full to an amusement establishment.
Consequently the Official notice, how
ever long expected, was not put up UNI
til the time suggested to me. During
the time Of the expected notice, any Of
the company seeking other engagements
| consider they had a right to do go, and
if they had wanted to have left at any
previous time Gas several Of the impor-
tant ones did), they could have done go,
and I am of the opinion they were all
perfectly aware OF that fact. When
artists or employees OF any kind, are
anyways dissatisfied with a city they are
in, or the approval of public, or neg
lectful or careless in their situation, they
should as speedily IS possible seek for
themselves more satisfactory situations.
As to a benefit, l offered the compaa
ny the Opera House, free OF any
charge, but, as they surmised,
the public sympathy could be
awakened for them by having it else
where, and they did so, to which |
urged no objections, merely waiting
until the benefit was over 10 make
few remarks in explanation 10 the pub
lie and in justice TO myself and friends.
Knowing that the entire affair can be
viewed in a matter of fact way, and that
is when public does not see sufficient
attraction in company, it is the per-
sonal business OF manager to secure
such attractions as will more satisfacto-
rilv please them, and the first step TO
that would be to pay off the old attrac-
tons and secure in their place new ones
and that is just exactly what
have done. Though the old com pany
may have pleased the public,yet the citi'
zens had so repeatedly seen them that
it was suggested to me that to secure
something at once that had not lately
been seen here, and have precisely
done so, and when the public have seen
these attractions, shall pay them off
also and bring others to supply their
place and so continue 10 furnish as lar
as obtainable the current attractions OF
the day. But | cannot retain all these
people here or more hotels would be
required and my losses would still be
heavier. For fifteen thousand dollars
from the first time | stepped in to
Wheeling, relative to an Opera House,
nearly two years ago, would not repay
me for the outlay in time, money and
labor TO do what is right 10
the public as a manager to
merit their esteem despite any
pressure that may been brought
against me, to ipjure me pecuniarlly,
or my business, or any popularity may
have attained as an amusement mana
ger, az 1t is well known 10 the citizens
that | am the rightlul lessee OF the
Opera House, and intend to continue
30 until the expiration OF my lease, Jus
less | should be honorably bought out,
for l shall make public any plan
that may be used to crush or force me
out, not only through the public press
Of this city but of the leading theatrical
Journals Of the country.
Hoping to continue to merit the pub
lie esteem, | am respectfully the publiC's
obedient servant,
JAMES FITzsINMoNs,
Lessee and Manager ofthe Opera House,
Wheeling, W. Va.