The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-18
Plays, Play Actors, and Press Men

That lively and learned priest, the Rev.
DIR. McGLYNN, in his recent speech at the
| SULLIVAN breakfast, ditated upon the old
relations OF friendship between the Church
and the theatre. In the middle ages the
clergy both wrote plays and performed in
| them; and even as early as the twelfth
| century London had tie "holy plays
wrought out by its holy confessors." Now,
this Is exceedingly interesting; but we
wish at present to notice another point
which was not mentioned by Father
McGLYNN. sAssz
1t Is queer to see what large proportion
OF the most popular American play writers
OF the day are young fellows or middle
| aged fellows connected, not with the
priesthood but with the press, and who
have gone out from the newspaper offices
OF our cities. At this moment there are
three plays on the boards of as many
New York theatres, which were the
handiwork OF journalists; and we could
count up perhaps half hundred other
plays performed here dCring the last
ten or twelve years which were
produced by men of the same
class. Mr.. b. E. wooLF, the author OF the
man, who, we believe has had a varied ex-
| perience, as reporter and correspondent,
on the press Of several towns. Mr.. BRoN-
SON Howard, the author of Saratoga"
was, until he made success in play writing,
n reporter on the press of this city. Mr.,
MARK TWAIN, the author of "Colonel Sell
lers, - began his career, after he left the
printers case as reporter on u Western
daily paper. Mr.. AUGUsTTN DAILY. the
author of divorce" and SO many other
plays from the French, was dramatic
| reporter in this city before he became
| a theatrical manager. Mr.. CHARLES GAY
| LoR, the author of Fritz " and other for
| tunate plays, was for long years n writer
on the weekly papers OF this city. Mr..
| BRET IIARTE, who has written play vet to
be brought out, was, ten years ago, n
writer on weekly paper in San Fran
cisco. Mr.. ALBERT RHODES, the author OF
the American comedy " Bunkum," began
his career on the press of Pittsburgh. Col.
T. b. THORPE, an old newspaper man of
this city, is the author OF one play, and
perhaps OF others. Mr. EDWARD CRAPsEY,
another city newspaper man, is the author
OF drama, the Laws Crime" But we
don't propose TO run out list which
would grow tedious. The names given are
sufficient 10 illustrate our point, and to
show how rapidly, and 10 what large ex-
tent, the newspaper Offices are turning out
the play wrlghts OF the country.
We must next observe that none Of the
more famous Of our American editors have
written dramas, comic or tragic. The
elder BENNETT could perhaps have writ
ten plays with the marrow in them; and
II he had written only one, he would have
had wit, philosopher, ana a harlequin
in IL; for he himself was wit and y
philosopher and rs fond of ridicui-r-
harlcquinism as ever SOCRATES was Hon.
ACE GREELEY had not the kind of genius
to shine rs a playwriter. lie wrote pieces
OF poetry in his early life, ms the elder
BENNETT also did; but neither his dra-
matio faculty his hno---i..issa ~
stage business was such rs TO give
him hope of success in that direc-
ton. HENRY ]. RAYMOND never at
tempted anything in the theatrical line.
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT, the most ven-
cradle name in both poetical and editorial
fields, has never, in the course Of his long
career given the American stage drama,
though we have no doubt that he could even
yet do so If he were TO turn mis- attention
that way. THuRLow WEED, also, who must
have lots of dramatic material in ms head
has steadily refrained from putting any OF
IL In shape for the theatre. In short, none
of the most renowned and potent of ouI
newspaper magnates has taken the trouble
TO work up play to be left for the enjoy.
ment Of mankind.
We must finally observe that while
we are able 20 show so many shoots
OF newspaperdom who have written
popular plays, not one OF our AmeIi
can journalists has yet turned up IA
great play actor. This seems strange
at first sight, and, we must say, also
at second sight. We are convinced
however, after due reflection, that some OF
them might win glory on the mimic stag,
II they would struggle for il. OF course
they should take Shakespearian charac
tiers Suppose for instance, the Young
Editor should take the part of Romeo, sup
ported by JAY GOULD us Shyloch' suppos,
Mr.. HUGH HASTINGS appear rs Fdistd0, Mr.
ERAsrUs Brooks as Hamlet, Mr.. JANE
GoRDOS BENNETT rs Marc AntonH Mr.
MURAr HAIsTED US Richard Ill.,, Deacon
RICHARD SMITH rs the TtrO DrOmios, ant
GEORGE w. CHILDs A. NJ, rs the Grdr
Digger in Hamlet Suppose, when thu
arranged, we were TO have a grand com
petitiye dramatic exhibition of thes'
famous characters on the same stage OF
the same night, we should then be abb
I, 10 judge how far newsI aperdom coul'
supply us with actors worthy of its owl
greatness rs well rs the celebrated play
wrights it has produced
The Syracuse Convention has done II
work well. There are strong names ON Its ticket
4 and the men will be elected.
3 The New York Tribune is strongly anti Repub
! | lican In l,s teuGeAClcs. D,tr0A IfibHlte.
= Nonsense 1t is neither Republican nor anti
. Republican but stockj obbng, and takes on an
. political color or none at all, just az its owner
\ JAY GOULD, concciyes will be advantageous 70
o his gambling schemes. What It may say Is OF n
) Importance except to those who dc not under