Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-03-04
CIVIL RIGHTS.
The First Test OF the Great Infamy at
the Memphis Theater.
Manager DaVey Determined TO COnt,st
Civil hights or Close the
Lheater.

With such Radicals as we have here,
embittered against our people on &C.
count Of repeated political defeats, it
was to be expected that an attempt
would be made at an early day at our
only respectable theater, by Republican
negroes, TO test the strength OF the in
famous civil rights bill. The manage
ment did not have long to wait. Last
night two well-dressed colored men pre-
sented themselves at the box-Ofiice and
purchased tickets, but before reaching
the door were prevailed upon to fore
go their determination to force way TO
the dress circle, and handing back their
tickets had their money refunded to
them, and departed pesceably enough.
A third, roughly dressed and very un-
couth Of appearance, would, whether
or no, enter through the dress.circle
entrance; but thrown down stairs
and pretty severely handled when
he got to the bottom, he was
given in charge of q policeman,
and taken to the stationhouse, where a
charge of disorderly conduct was entered,
and he was locked up for the night. OF
course a case for the United States court
will at once be made up by either one or
all three Of these seekers after civil
rights, and we shall, perhaps, in the
course Of next winter, learn from the
supreme court whether or not theater
| manager shall say whether he can
| divide his house as he pleases, and
| discriminate as to who shall and who
| shall not enter that part of the theater
set apart for ladies.
After the performance closed our re-
porter waited on Manager Davey, and
| interviewed him as to the occurrences
| above detailed, and as to the policy that
! will govern him in the future, and with
the following result:
INTERVIEW WITH MANAGER DAyEY.
Reporter-Three negroes tried to force
their way into the dress-circle of the
Thester tonight; under what circum-
stances?
Mr.. Davey-Mr. Holland, about eight
o'clock, came into my Office and inform
ed me that our troubles were upon US,
and that the negroes were then coming
up stairs to demand entrance to the
dress circle. I went down mmediately,
and met two negro men at the door,
who, after brief talk, retired, first re-
ceiving the money they had paid to Mr.
Brooks, the treasurer, in payment for
two tickets.
Reporter-What did you say to these
negroes?
Mr.. Davey-I asked them what they
wanted. They said to enter the theater.
then asked them why they wanted to
ipjure my business. They said they
did not want to injure me or my busi-
ness. / told them their present conduct
asy,lr hox ofEo
upon they asked me if they could get
their money back. l said yes,
and went down to tae box-offioe |
with them, where, instructing Mr..
Brooks to that effect, they received |
their money, returned the tickets and |
quietly left the theater.
RepOrter-Did they not ask to be ad- |
mitted to the Theater?
Mr.. Davey-No.
Raporter-Did they threaten suit, or
say anything about civil rights2
Mr.. Davey-No. They were very re-
spectful, and did not, beyond asking me |
if / rejected them, make any demOnstra-
ton.
Reporter-Did you have any notifca-
ton or inkling of their coming?
Mr.. Davey-No.
Reporter-Did you hear of their being
Mr.. Davey-Yes. | heard some one
in the vestibule Of the Theater say that
General Patterson, the revenue collector
of this district, had put up that job upon
me. But subsequently friend Of that
gentleman called and assured me that
that was not true, and that his presence |.
at that moment was purely accidental.
He was at the Theater at the time to
buy a ticket with desire to see Mrs.
Bowers in Eleanor, the new play.
RepOrter-Then I understand you to
say that these negroes did not ask to be
admitted to the Theater?
Mr.. Davey-They did not ask to be
admitted, but left the house, as 1 have
stated, upon my showing them that
their presence would be obnoxious to the
people and q positive injury to me.
Reporter-Well, you had another ne.
gro visitor-what did you do with him?
Mr.. Davey-Yes. But he had no
ticket, was drunk and disorderly, and
was very properly thrown down stairs
by Mr.. Holland and arrested by police.
man, and was taken to the stationhouse,
where he will be tried before the re-
corder in the morning.
Reporter-Should the negroes con-
tinue to press upon you, what will you
do?
Mr.. Davey-In Difference to my own
feelings, as well as to the sentiments of
a public to whom owe so much, I will
refuse them admittance at any sacrifice
of personal liberty or loss of capital. |
will either run the theater as I have
heretofore, or will close it. l propose
to manage my business in my own way,
and not to be dictated to by congress or
any other legislative body. So long as
| pay my rent and license, and put such
plays upon the stage as are acceptable
to refined and cultivated audiences, l
care nothing for oppressive and insult
ing laws like the civil rights bill. And
will contest them as long as l have a
dollar.
MIR. HOLLAND INTERVIEWED.
After our "talkn with MIR. Davey we
interviewed Mr.. Holland, the popular
and well known dOor-keeper, with this
result:
Reporter-Did two well dressed negro
men tender tickets and ask to be ad-
mitted to the dress circle of the Theater
last evening?
Mr.. HolIand-They did not tender
tickets, no. did they ask me to admit
them. Seeing them come up stairs and
divining such to be their purpose, l
called an usher and stepped into the |
managers office, and called Mr.. Davey
whom l informed that the trouble was
upon US; the negroes were there, asking
him at the same time what should do? |
Reporter-Whst did Mr.. Davey say?
Mr.. Holland-Mr. Davey responded
"Is that SOP" and then walked down to
the door where he held brief conver-
sstiOn with the negroes, whom he asked 4
"What do you want?n and they re-
sponded "We want to go into the thea
ter" Mr.. Davey then asked them why
they wanted to injure his business; to !
which they replied they did not desire
to iDjure his business. Mr.. Davey told
them their present conduct was calcu-
lated to injure him and could result in
no good to them. The spokesman for
the two then asked "DO you, then reject
us?" To which Mr.. Dsvey replied "By
no manner of means" Then the negro
asked, "Can we get our money back?n
And Mr.. Davey responded GAS matter
Of course" They then went down to
the Office and Mr.. Dsvey instructed Mr.,
Brooks, the treasurer, to redeem the
tickets held by "those gentlemen" And
receiving their money they left the