The New York herald., 1875-02-13
WHAT JOSH HART THINKS OF BoUC1CAULT-
''PYKE o'CALLAaHAN" FROM A VARIETY POINT

OF VIEW.
The case Of Boucicault W. Hart. in regard to the
rights OF dramatic authors, has assumed such an
aspect OF notorety that 1t threatens to put the
Brooklyn scandal suit In the shade. Such con.
summation may be hailed with delight, as It ID
very inconvenlent at the present time for New
Yorkers to visit our sister city, even when the
plaintiff or the mutual friend is undergoing the
ordeal OF a crosse Examination. ''The vagabond"
is now pitted against "The Hangman," and legal
luminaries shine on either side. A REPRESENTA-
tive OF the HERALD called yesterday upon Mr..
Josh Hart 10 ascertain his views regarding this
cause cslebre. The sylph.like form Of the young
variety manager emerged from the preclncs OIL
the box ofice IN response to q summons, ana Mr..
Hart thus explained his views In regard to the
rival representations OF Irish life -
First OF all want 1t to be distinctly understood
that have never sought, nor do claim 10 pos
sess IN the slightest degree particle Of influence
tisemenss 5 and M attend M s to my Legitimate business
thought that the. court was the proper place to
me 10 a position which compels me to answer the
cnarges Drought against me oy public statement
never thought tnat +, subject under the hands o.
Otherwise than as a legal question.
II was perfectly aware that Mr.. Wybert Reeve
Wiling to meet nlm as the author Of Pyke
O'colagnan.' rom which play the larger proper.
tlon OF the drama known as THE Sklbbeeah' was
derived. Mr. Boucicault's assertions set me forth
as having willuly and maliclousy stolen mis- play,
The SbauRnraun.' Now. here are the lacts IN tae
case. Instructed my stage manager MI Stoutes
to write Ior my theatre an Irish drama. he com.
Piled with my request, and gave me play whlcn
at 1rst thought lnirlnged upon Mr. Boucicanlua
rights, as the similarity between IL ana 'Ine
Shaughraun' was very striking. ASKED my
friend, Judge Downing. TO see Mr.. boucicault ano
ask Tor me his permission TO give At my tneatroo =
sKetcn from his popular Irish play.
"rne Judge told me subsequently tnat MI. Bou
ciaault mad not the slightest objection TO such
representation as long as the copyrighted title
was not iufrnged. Mr. Theodore Moss, the
mission, adding that ne would extend all mana
gerial courtesles to my representatives. 70 enable
them to obtain all knowledge OF the play tney re-
qulred. The piece came out ut my theatre, and
was a. once warned by Mr.. Boucicault that wa
Infringing upon his rights Alarmed at tnt
charge / sent Tor the author, MIR. St0ute, ant
asked him about It. He imms diately furnished me
win copies Of the works IRON. wnlcn ne COLLECTED
the materials for the play. Among them was Mr
Reeves play. 'Pyke OCallagnan,' whloh IL o tao.
smile OF 'lhe SnauRhraun' and The Sklooseah,'
being alike IN character, situations and plot.
"With this positive inior nation IN my possession
l sent my friend, Judge Downing, TO Mr.. Bouclcaut
to tell him oil tne sources from which the p,ect
was derived, aud also Its name J also promlses
TO publish o card IN the papers, stating that TIM
play resemoied 'Ihe Snaughraun.' wished
1--WE MIN all the credit lor ms play, and told Mr.
Moss on the day hat the SUIT began that ha1
iurnsned Mr.. Boucicault with ALI ia ormation OF
the subJect. tried to act as gentleman through
out, and never thought OF Infringing upon AM
~" After some remarks from Mr.. stoute, wn
warmly Iudorsed everything said by Mr.. HaIt ~
fepvsvsntsnve OF the HERALD withdrsws