Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-01-04
MASONIC HALL COMPANY
Annual Meeting - Reports Submitted -
An Excellent Showing Of the Condition
Of the Compsny-Eleotion Of Officers

Of the Compsny-kleo OF omcers'
Friday week the Masonic Hall
Company held Its hrst annual meeting, al
its rooms 10 The new hglldlng. President
l.obdell was 10 the chair, aud the attcnd'
ance Of stockholders was quite large. The
meeting was called 10 order at 2 O'Clock,
and the reports oil the President and
Treasurer were submitted.
The Presidents report, after referring
% the early Efforts in behalf of the enter
prise and to the successful completion OF
the Hall, shows that everything about the
building is now complete, except the
statuary for the inches on the Market
-treet front, some painting about the
building and protection to the doors on
King street. All tho stores aud rooms
about the building, save three, are rented
10 desirable parties at satisfactory prices
On the authority of Walack, Daven-
port, Cough, Parepa Rosa and others, the
report declares that the acous IL properties
of the auditorium are excellent, equal 10
those Of any similar building, aud says
the auditorium is admirably lighted, and
thesce for the stage has been furnished
at Il comparatively low figure. 10 this
connection the services aud suggestions OF
the following gentlemen are Acknowledged
by the President; Mr.. Russell Smith who
painted tie drop curtain and most OF The
scenery Mr.. Ford, of Baltimore, for
scenery and for many valuable sugges-
tions; 10 Mr.. Charles Higbey, of the
[ Academy Of Music, Philadelpbia, for ar
ranging and superinlending the erection
Of tic stage fixtures, and 10 MIR. Stratton,
/ of Philadelphia, for advice in lighting.
/ Regarding the aim Of the Directors to
prohibit all exhibitions OF a character the
least Immoral or Objectionable, the Presi-
dent speaks as follows, and reiers TO the
prcludicts of some IN our midst in tho
same paragraph -
eve have repeatedly refused to rent
the auditorium for exhibitions which were
deemed If an improper character. we
are aware that many In our community
condemn operate aud dramatic periorm'
ances. We do not now propose TO diseusi
the propliety or justDoss Of their views
but respectfully call tde attention Of suct
to the fact that the young men OF The
community will have recreation ant
amusement OF some kind is il not bettel
that they should have such as are afforded
by drsmatlc representations of mora
character, than 10 spend thea time "a
drinking salnou-, &c.i which many vii
dn il other means of enjoyment are no
prov iled for them. II is a fact that thos'
who give these exhibitions do 90 TO please
ara that the character Of the performance
will depend, in a great measure, ON tbs
audieucc. There need he no fears OF oh
2 ilrtionnh.c exhibitions in our auditorium
If the better classes continue 10 he true Il
, the interests Of the community, and Civ
cue luragcment, as they have done, to per
formaucos OF an uneXcepiionable charac
tcr and discourage The opposite
Glis araml those who have failed Il
e pay heir subsCt pluns, Of whom there az
quite q number, have been instituted
+ bonds have been sold tc the amount q
$4,000 and dividend for the past ST.
! months amounting to three per cent. la
/ been disclarcd.
Tielcloii then concludes 81 follows %
i "Whe.h hrl the trust which you eonfded {
/ us has been ohFerycd To your satisfaction
. il for YOU ID determine In surrendcriu
/ this trusl 10 You, We feel at liberty TO sa
that but fsW enterprises OF Ike charact'
/ have been pursued 70 SO successful q
issue. Through the constant IRE aud
: tcution OF the buildilg committee, and I'll
. committee o. sterery, mistakes nave bee
preveitcl and much expense saved b
, ihe exc tious aud walchfuuess OF th
/ huauoc committee, particularly OF 4
/ Ch4irmau, Jesse Sharpe, Esl., we, al u
times, have tccn abe 20 meet our obi 2,
e tioua promptly.
h "TEe credit Of the Company Is uneyoel
4 tionsbe our bonds arc sought as an il
1 yestmcnt at par. We believe the stoc
: viii pay regular dividends, and provide
+. Striking fund for the redemption OF IL
+ ponds. We thiuk we have the conadon,
A Of the community, and believe the oppos
ton TO theatrical aud opcfatc perform
.. auces, which was manifested when "
! first opened our auditorium, is fact deal
u pearng, aud Wi louliuuc In disappear,
,. those who have the management OF u
u building Va the iuiuie arc wdichiul, an
q prohibit all exhibitions OF m immoral
y exceptional character. The future succe
. Of this enterprise, financially, dcpoui
= upon our retaining the confidence aI
:. respect Of the community. which can on
= be done by the election Of proper ptrsol
{ as officers and directlrs.'
. 7. J. Lawson, Treasurer of the Coz
y pany, submitted comprehensive repol
= dated December 20,h, tiom which we tai
y the following facts aud figures
= The rent account shows the amou
u collected and due 10 November 2oth, b
z not for any fractional parts due at th
:, time.
also present a statement Of the sto
- account OF the company, the number
81 full shares paid and the amounts paid
each ingialmcnt,