New-York tribune., 1875-02-16
BASE USE OF THE STAGE.

THE GRAND JURY CHARGED CONCERNING IMPROPER
THEATRICAL PERFORMANCEs-THE METROPoLI-
TAN THEATER sUIT-THE JURY DISAGREE.
The Grand Jury of the Oyer and Terminer
was impaDeled yesterday. George II. Moore being
selected as foreman. Judge Barrett in charging the
fury said the It's form and meaning was the best
general subject he could give them. He briefly men
oned the several matters to which by statute he
required 10 call their particular attention, concluding
wltb that OF ooscere literature. He added:
To may add that it is OF the greatest importance
Ihat provision of that law should at all times be
carefully Investigated There is nothing SO Gemoraliz
Dg ana degrading as the attempt made by interested
aud y,le parties 10 fOist poisoned literature upon
ihe young and innocent. IL tends TO degrade
society, break down morals and destroy solte sne
young. The same remarks apply TO all indecent
exhibitions crediOly informed that there are IN
TINS city public exhibitions which are Sdece6 intheir
character and unnt 10 be presented TO any
sOme OF the low play houses shonld yoqS nailed
will do so earIessly These exhibitions are nosnly as
tOrrupng obscene literature but they tend TO cast
bic theaers OF the city They tend TO bring the drama
into dsrepute The drama is worthy institution IL
is form OF art. II takes lts place along with painting
hnd statuary. II is wholesome recreation and inno
cent for the seople But these vile exhibi
patbos and beauty before the public simpy bring exhi
bllious of the human figure are degrading 10 & them
ana vohy s9d 10 hSps @ ths s tIese @
your very careful attention.
In the Court OF General Sessions yesterday the trial
of Martin Campbell, manager OF the Metropolitan
Thea,er, on indictment charging him with keeping
isordery mouse, which was begun on Friday, was
Inued the prosecution having rested On the fret day
The evitabe crowd filled the homey courtroom
pleton, and outside at time q rough-and-tumble
eight was threatened account OF the difficulty OF
many in obtaining The principal feature OF the
dsy,s proceedings the appearance the witness
stand OF the female performers, through whose efforts
An the Can Can the prsoper had been enabled exc
. comfortable snbsistenee. Mr.. Howe counsel for the
aeiepdsot ed TO snow the jury In a practical way
that the dancers did not shock the morai
sense Of the people OF the great State of
6ew-York" aud for that purpose IL was
stated that the 0omen OF the tEeater who
GhsD present were dressed a full stage costume
s-aIed tor the under ordlrary areas. hecorder
ECw' hiseomhture and the dancers proceeded TO tes
A'y. Fn,u Amelia Deane's exaDinatiOn the inference
~DnIo naturally be draWn that the entertainment wac
IeYerse, although under Kolaus cross ex alton
fLe Exhibition assumed aaother aspect The testimony
oi AoA tieenab Henie foang and number OF Others
or than iu the Black CROOK"
SLaDi District Attorney Nolan for the uroser,
ton treaLo matter seriously, aud forbore 10 etort
hIoI Nr, Howe for the many sy hits Ne had receired
IT, cGarRe lbe lQry Recorder Hackett showed Ira
faacy OF the ground assumed by Mr. Howe in eomnar
Ihg tins exhibition with ballet exhibitions hsretofore
Rad IN tis city. which lay Ia not sufficiently dwelling
EpOn the Intention OF such exhibitions
To the pure Ill things are pure 70 ths impure all
tJugs apt 10 lake impure bue OF thought act aud
expression ihen again thugs sae or done become del
scatr ibdelicate, according ~ surrounding circnm
suuces Of place person. Orderly aud not pruriept
Ilfsops may have found harmless amusement in view
Jug poetry of motion OF An Eliser, Gris, Isg0n
A. Az, when prur1eDt audiences migDt 80 conduct
YES The same ballet when vulgar mitaOr
Gas prvueIpDg before them That both the dancing by