The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-09
THE MASKED BALLS.
The History Of the Act Under which the Lie
derkrauz has been Prohibited.

The expressed determination of the po-
lice to continue the enforcement OF the statute
forhiddng public masked balls, has stimulated
some Of tho leading societies, like the Licder-
kranz and the Arion, 10 present their grievance
10 the Legislature, and ask for the repeal OF the
law. Mr.. lIauschcl OF this city introduced such
a hill toward the close Of the last session, but II
failed, az this one will probably fail unless the
movers OF II 20 to work more understandlngly,
keeping In view the Intentions OF the original
rimers of tho statute. The FIRST act passed in
1919, In consequence OF the murder Of Mr.. Luby,
n city watchman, at a public masquerade In the
Bowery Theatre. bv an unknown man who, by
means OF his disguise, escaped. The text OF the
law Is as follows:
II shall not be lawful for any proprietor manager
house public hall premises, or other place Of public
city and county Of New YORK, or within the village Of
demaadci to allow or permit in the same any mas
quersde or masquerade ball orsny assemoage OF per-
Of 1899, chapter 25O1
The extreme penalty prescribed for the viola
ton Of the act was $1,000 but as the money bad
to tie sued for the law was constantly Vinl ted
with impunity. In 1863 a grand masquerade ball
was advertised to take place In the Academy Of
Music. The managers were warned that II would
be In violation OF the law, but they went on with
their preparations. and Judge Welsh, a city mag
istrate, determined to prevent u, ana before the
nipht rrrved he induced the Legislature to
amend the act ~ 1879, making the onense IA mis-
demeAnOr, with extraordinary penalties, the
second section Of the act being amended as fol-
lows
Any person offending against the provisions Of this
act IN the city OF New NQrk u rookyn shall be guilty
1880. nor more than 5000 or nv Imprisonment IN
prison Ia this state Tor term 81 MOI less than six
nor more than twenty four months, or both.
There e. no other misdemeanor under the law
punishable with such n large 0ne or such long
term u imuti-onmcnt, and II IL held 10y persons
well informed In the law, that this piece Of spe-
constitutional and should have been striker of
the statute books long ago. It's under THIS IL t
the Ledcrkranz, the Ariun. the Purm Associa-
tion. and other societies. The dcad-letter statute
WIS enforced last winter after the lapse of sew
! entreu YEAR,. In the case Of Mt Deutsch's bail
ing been led to look up the law relating to mas
qucrides, on account Of the pranks Of certain
fellows dressed as women having cot Access 20
the Indies dressing room a.i previous ball IN the
Academy.
The statute against m asked pals Il local one
having reference only to New York city and
| Brooklyn. The act fOrbiddlng masking out-of-
! doors H. a state law, passed about Nhirty years
ago, az the time Of the anti-rent riots In Kensse-
| laer county.
The Jewish people ~ New York and BROOKLYN
| will, It Is thought. make no objection, to aban-
| doning their custom Of paying visits To- their
! ncighburs en- mdSguc, on Puum, II they can be
| allowed to revive their famous Purim balls
! TIA " are also prominently represented In the
/ Lcderkranz and Arion Societies, and are not
| the least active among thtae VINO are irving :.
! ge; the repeal OF the law prohibiting public
| masuurradcs.
Tx Mnvor Gunther. and Others Of the commit.
! tee that was appointed on thursday evening 1,
/ 20 to ALBANY. recognize the tact that the urigi
| nal art of l~,n was irtturd To prevent crime IS
! mstked mirauders aud therefore they Will not
! ask Tor Tho absolute rcpcai " the statute. hut
! for an anrna mcnt o. u. making the penalty that
/ u al ordinary mi-drmc amor, ana leaving 10 &
! She dis.,e. ion OF the Mayors 81 New ! ori, oi
hroDAiyn g. -raut or refuse licenses for pnDn'