The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-15
THE TBEArBICAL SCANDAL.
An Accusation of Attempted Biackmaii, and
n Denial by the Person Accused.

Denial by the Person Accused.
The Dramatic NeiCs has been interview
ing the theatrical managers. performers, and
pay-writers OF this city, In order to learn about
the alleged attempts to blackmail them by
dramatic critics. Among others, 1t has inter-
viewed MIR. A. Z. Wheeler, who, upon hearing
the current reports, had called upon Dir. Theo-
dore Hamilton, the alleged victim Of an attempt
to levy baokmsil MIR. Wheeler says:
81 asked Mr. Hamilton II he had been ap-
preached by he representative OF a New York
Journal with an offer tc sell the influence Of his
paper. He tried to evide the question by maxi
ing a general accusation instead OF specific
one then said to him '1nese assertions of
dishonesty. on the part OF the press, are very
common and are Of very little purport, except
where there Is n specihc charge as In this case.
You have stated publicly to a reporter of tho
Dramatic NctCs that YOU had been approached
by members OF the Now York press, with
dishonest motive. and az am a member of tho
press ana personally Interested In the matter, !
desire you TO tell me who 1t Was approached
YOU lie rephed that the matter was now IN
the hands of his principals and he was not at
liberty " give names without their consent. l
said Unfortunately for your present position,
II seems That YOU have already given names. 1
hear through several GENT men that the person
who approached you was one Paul Nicholson.
IL that cOrrectF lie said " was. | asked him
II he understood at this time what paper Mr..
Nicholson represented. lie said, Yes. the
World. also asked why he did not publicly
proclaim that facs, and he said Simply because
his pnncipNs had taken tue matter out of his
hands and desired to do 1t IN their own way"
Mr.. W. j. Florence, the actor, on being asked
what he knew about matchmaking. said Il
have never In my life paid money, directly or
indirectly, to any critic. swear, as | hone to
see NV mother III heaven, that what 1 say here
is true.
said ! can give my word Of honor as a man
that have never, nor has the establishment
ever, paid any money, either directly or indl-
rectly, to the CritC OF newspaper
Mr.. A M. Palmer Of the Union square Theatre
SAID have never paid In nv lie u single cent
Tor single notice In single paper either for
myself the theatre, or INV people. and never
shall
Mr.. Josh Hart, proprietor Of the Eagle Thea
In New York.
Mr.. Charles Gayer, actor, manager, critic. and
dranatist, was asked bis opinion about this con-
uoversy. lie 3 Id: Neither as actor, .nanager,
nor author, have l ever paid cent to news
paper man, nor as critlc did eyeg receive one.
MIR. Harry Palmer OF Booths Theatre. declined
TO give any Information on the subject.
- III regard 10 the accusation referred to by Mr..
wheeler. Sun reporter yesterday received the
following statement nom ar. Paul Nicholson
No Men OF sandy Bar was first produced
at hooleys Theatre IN Chicago. Hap:
tue editors Of the Word. | furnished
that paper with criticism Of tue My. wrote
without the Knowledge OF any one Interested in
IT, production. Neither Mr.. HATE. nor stuart
robson, nor luoodofe Hamilton Knew that
write the criticism. | often met In Chicago
stuart Robson, theodore Hamilton, and
some other members OF the Uulou
quently cXure ssed a desire TO buy from tue New
YORK press favorable no Ices Of the play, which
had not fayorabiy ia. ure>,ed the ChiracOans. |
rdiouied him for dong So. Meeting ,.~miton IN
ths city prior 10 the production OF " rwo Nen
OF Sands Bar, and remembe ring his expression
OF wish to purchase the New YORK press, |
esked hiai whether 90 had made the purchase,
aud the prices He said. lauehingly, thu he
had concluded not to do so. Then ne inquired
whether l mad an opinion as TO VINO would
notice the pli for the UOd on the first nigh:.
told him that had because h d hear1 the
name mentioned. On another occasion wnen
met him. ne expressed fear tnat the pay would
be slaughtered Oy tue critics, ana seemed TO
intend TO appeal TO NV sympathy, for
what | thought would pe the result OF the 1rst
nights performance. | told him that tue plIy
pretty b one, and that tnouGht II would
get lite due from the critlcs. However sid |,
Il Will do all l can In one quarter | hid
received the opening night ticket from the
WWld, aud hau been directed to notice the per
fornance, out did not inform Mr.. Hamilton OF
these circumstances. He said, Il wish
you wodld. What can you dor L
Will do tue best 1 can, N l have an
rrtuuity to write, / answered. / asked no
f.vor OF Sir. Hamilton, bur, through sympath,,
offered 10 neip hin, II could. tie thanked
me. Ibis Is NV connection with Bret Harte's
play. i never received, nor did ] ever tx
pect to receive. anything Tor my connrc-
ton Win II. Out OF my conversation with hiuI,
Mr. Hamilton, aided 10y his powerful imagina-
tion, ana when driven to the wall, has fiuri-
cated the story, In which he connects uly name
with Bret Hdrts's play.