The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-07-22

A copartnershir has been formed be-
tween John Blaisdell and Joseph Gulick,
the design of which, if carIed out rs con-
templated, cannot fail to benefit the
dramatic profession and lay the foundation
for the proper regulation Of the business
in the Northwest. AS it is now, there is
practically no protection in the Western
States for authors, actors. or managers,
or those who are brought into business
relations with them. They are at the
mercy of a set of unscrupulous men who
infest st, Louis. Cincinnati, Chicago. and
other commercial centres. These men.
without vestige of managerial ability or
financial stability,-utterly irresponsible
generally. have been in the habit of
getting together little troupes. running
them out: swindling everybody as thoro-
ughly as possible. and then leaving their
people to pick their way back ION their
baggage" aided by their friends. or by
the grace of a providential rsilroad-pass.
To such an extent have those spurious
organizers, ravaged the West that now.
when legitimate manager with decent
entertainment enters some Of the towns,
it is only by extraordinary effort on his
part or sheer good luck that he can save
himself. They find that in many places
in this and adjoining States the disrepute
into which these sharpers. have brought the
profession is felt severely.
Whether Messrs, Blaisdell and Gulick
| viii be able to materially improve the
condition of affairs, remains to be seen.
Their success depends entirely upon their
own capabihty-both certainly have had
experience eDough-and the cooperation
they receive from the profession aud the
owners of theatres. Certainly the
tcn ckn S.f he rsnhk lion
they should obtain every encouragement
from those who desire to see better sys-
tenn inaugurated than that existing at
present The partnership, we under
| stand. will cover period of three years.
A certain sum OF money will be deposited
| 10 SOME bank as reserve fund They
| have outlined a circuit running through
| Illinois. Indiana. Iowa, Wisconsin, Mime
sofa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. and
| they have received assurances o: coopera"
ton from Mr.. j. H. McVicker and MIR r.
| NJ. Hooley. OF this city; Mr.. John W.
Norton. of the Grand Opera House. st.
| Louie; Mr.. Charles Spaulding. Olympic
Theatre. St. Louis; and Mr.. r Z. j.
Miles. Grand Opera House, Cincinnati
| Their cooperation amounts to this: Good
| com binations Often in booking with ST.
| Louis, Chicago, aud Cincinnati, have one
or Two weeks between some of the engage
| ments. The difficulty experienced by
| many of these troupes in filling this inter
veniDR time advantageously often operates
| 10 serious obstacle to their engagement
| by the managers we have mentioned.
This difficulty, these managers think. will
be to a certain extent removed by the es>
Enlistment of such a circuit as that con-
templated by Messrs. Baisdell and Gulick
The gentlemen we have named have in.
dorsed the project. and their Endorsement.
| OF course. will have much weight with
stars and com biaations. The title of the
concern is The BlaisdeH Guaranteed
Attraction Bureau" and under their d.
rect control, tor he season of lSS0~Sl they
will have three ompanies-namely: The
John Dillon" company, The Harry Web
bel" troupe. ami an extravaganza
organization. The season will begin on
the LIST of August next Besides, to quote
til cir circular. by their scheme 'elevating
the tone of amusenents in general, and
establishing a feeling of confidence in
management" Messrs. Blaisdell and
Gulick propose-at least through the
country where their circuit lies-to root
out the MS. thieves, and to do this they
solicit power of attorney from such men
as A. Nj. Palmer, Robson and Crane. DAILY.
French & Son, BARLEY Campbell. in
deed. all Eastern owners of copyright.
When they are granted this power OF
attorney they propose to prosecute every
case of stealing they hear of on their beat,
asking as reoompense merely the justice
fees. Their object in taking this trouble.
of course, is purely matter OF self pro-
lection with Blaisdell aud Gulick, because
as things stand now, it is impossible for
them to calculate with any degree of GER
sainty in making arrangements with
Eastern owners of copyright; for, as soon
as play has made metropolitan success.
copies can be obtained. and are obtained.
by the sharpers we have indicated, who
owing to the difficulty and expense found
by the owners in legally following them
through the small Western towns-ham"
mer away at the plays until they are
rendered useless in the districts ravaged
by them Messrs. Biaisdell and Gulick'
idea of mitigating the nuisance appears to
be practical one, and should receive the
attention of those who have MS. plays
worth stealing
How Hancock Ia Regarded in Canada.
The Toronto Globe. (Canads) says 1t
is laughable to witness the alacrity With
which the Republican organs are tucking
away the bloody shirt. Ever since Gar
field was7znominated the party journals
have been vieing with each other 10 fur