New-York tribune., 1876-12-07
THE FEELING IN YEw-YoRK THEATERs.

THE FEELING IN NEW-YORK THEATRES.
MANAGER \. ~ PAIMER's STATEMENT -sCENEs At
IHE UNION SQUARE AND OTHER TIIEATE'ts.
An was quiet in frunt of the Union Square Ihcafer
last evening. The usual number of play --oors came
10 the main entrance, but the solitary policeman
stationed outside stated ihcre would be no per-
Torrance, and pointed to a large plaeaTd Crapcd
in mourning which placed just inside
tho railing and on which was inscribed in large
black letters "In consequence of the terrible DIS
aster at the Brooklyn Theatcr there Will be no per-
formance AZ this house tins evening" People gazed
with blank astonishment 81 the significant an
nonncemcnt, sighed, and rctraced their steps III
silence. Few appeared 20 appreciate the extent OF
the disaster and when informed OF the dreadful loss
of life all commended the deciron of the managers
Mcssrs Shook and Palmer, N closing their place OF
amusement for the evening. Inside, along the
lobby, all was cad and gloomy. Ushcrs, mu-
siciaIs, and actors stood III groups together, dis
cussing i'm subducd tones the events Of the terrible
night and all the hiarty characteristic of this
uopular resort was entirely absent. In the man
agers office A. NJ. Palmer, resting his head in his
hand, WIS leaning upon the table, overcome with
grief and emotion. He had JUS, returned from the
Inflated theater and now dispatches from all parts
Of the country were reaching him nquirng for miss
inc frieDds and aciofs. The Task of answering
some of them was n sad dnty, and in
the hope of hearing still later and better
news in regard TO some persons, he delayed answer
ing 4 few for Il short time. Mr. Thornc Mr.. Ma
tbeyys and Kate ClaX TOMS husband came in. They
all shook hands with Mr. Palmer but words
passed between them. In fact, their silence was
more eloquent than speech Of theiF sympathy not
only for their own comrades but for the many grief
stricken families of Brooklyn 1t was with diff
Guilty that Mr.. Palmer coud find words to give hls
version of the catastrophe but lac finally gave Ii
follows:
'rhc first intimation had of the fin in Brooklyn
was at 500 this morning, but had 10 iDci that any
lives we're lost The horrible news reached me later
in tie morning. when at once went over to Brook
lyn, where | also gave testimony before the Fire
Marshal. Our own Oas is great, but we do not care
for that the terrible loss Sustained by the people of
Brooklyn is what OycrwhcllAs ms, and you may
assure tie public, bo.h tire part of sir Shook and
myself that We hold ourselves ready to do every
thing that lies in power 10 alleviate the suher-
ing Every precauti0n had been taken to
secure safety i'll that theater. Very re-
Gently al necessary Improvements in gasights
and in the canvas had been added, and we had an
excellent corps of good and careful employed
under the stage manager, MIR. Thorpe. We musl
assure yOu that nowhere can sympathy with the SUI
fnrng be more strong than ar0aBd the Union Square
TacateT tonight. The feeling here among my own
pooplc is terrible OF o0uf5o it is OF no uss to say
now what might have been, but am satisfied that
the lives Of both Murdoch ard Burroughs might
have been saved if they had been less darHg. You
kEoy some Of the actors are very reckless, aud 90
not fully appreciate danger from fire. Had Murdoch
oheyed the summons Cf Thorne when the latter rcried
ont to him 10 follow him. telling him there was real
danger ho might Dc among the living. Mr. Bur-
roughs, too, understand. even when he was already
half on his way 70 place of safety, went back 70
his drrssing-ro to get his watch, presented 10 hn
some two years ago by his friends and colleagues
Had he not gone TO that dressug-rocm, with inc
flames already raging furiousy around him. he 700
might have been saved. Mr. Palmer then gave .'e
following estimate Of the number oil people IN 'n0