The New York herald., 1879-09-12
TICKET SPECTATORS BALKED.
Mr. MAURICE GgAU's FIRST BLOW AT GREAT
NuySAxcE

Mr. MAURICE GRAU's IIRsT BLOW AT A GREAT
NUISANCE.
The box office of the Fifth Avenue Theatre was
opened shortly after eight O'Clock yesterday morn
ing for the sale seats for the CapouM Marie season
of opera bouse line of intending buyers stretched
from inside the theatre the sidewalk and along the
block hallway 10 Broadway. waiting tor the little
wooden shutter in the window to be raised. and
mixed among the crowd were numbers OF well
known Spectators in theatre tickets Mr.. Maurice
Grau, the manager. superintendent the sale. The
first line was no sooner served than second was
formed OF persons who had gathered in the lobby Of
the house and the street Among this second series
of purchasers many of the speculators who had
been prominent in the former rank. with additions
in the shape of agents. The first that presented
himself. after having been previously served. was
denied, and warm discussion with the manager
ensued. Those in the line behind immediately
dropped out. perce;vng it was only waste of time
to stand there and assembled round the dlsputants
TO learn the result of the argument. The public
looked on quietly smiling approval OF the
ayers irmness, az they moved to the window and
chose the most desirable places.
Some of the spectators commended the action of
the management. One said. You will gain by it in
the end Mr.. Grau, but others very indignant.
"Our money il as good anybody elses. said
one man. "and it's an outrage to try and
money IL just the value AS any going in
through that window. replied Mr.. Grau. land you
have exactly the same right other people but no
more. don't intend to allow you to come here aud
walk of with the best seats, showing my patrons to
the back of the house, ii / can help it, That's my
living and I'm going to look after It, owe some
protection to the people who here night after
night and week after week and buy places they
cupy and am going to do the best can to their
rights Observed.
:.were taking chances" said of the specula.
tors lyon ought to consider that
That's generous of you. but as took the chances
in the first place / am ing continue the risk.
OF course, you will get tickets and can't prevent
you, but VIII be no party to tins business am
convinced 1t 10 imposition on the pubic and If
can will put stop to it right here"
Up to ten o'clock the purchasers Of seats
mostly business their way down town.
Alter that hour ladies began to arrive on toot and
N carriages. They astonished to find there
were then good seats to be obtained. by O'Clock
the usual first nghters" had secured their seats,
and the sale for TIE remainder OF the week COM
menced On being asked whether the speculators
had managed to get many seats Mr.. Grau answered.
| Eyes think they have lot. because they sent
peop here did not know, but they have less than
| ordinary"
The spectators vowing vengeance during
the afternoon, aud threatened to make 1t exciting
tor of the managers before the season is much
further advanced. They scowled aud whispered
and shook their heads i'll manner that meant
to say, I'VE know something, aud If they dom
to terms in o few days wen tell the whole
| atDr