New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-06
INDICTED LIONS LECTURLNG.


II gives us the greatest satisfaction to learn that
Covert D. Bennet's attempt to make money out OF a
lecture at the Academy of Music in Jersey City, the
subject being his own trial for the murder OF Police
man Smith, was a decided and ignOminious failure.
We believe that the Rev. II. H. Hayden, VINO was
also tried for murder in Connecticut, and underUOok
to discourse some time since in this city upon dis
experiences in Jail and court did not find the specu-
lation profitable. Another person just out OF the
penitentary was advertised to appear at respect
able hall in this city the other evening in his prison
garb but failed to keep the promise OF MS an
nOuncement. The audience defrauded OF TINS inter-
esting cOstume-spectacle might have maze a
riOtOus fuss and torn mp the benches, II IL hau
been little larger Now, it would be folly tor us
TO DENY that this is free country, especially in
the matter Of ecturiDg. Men and women OF all
sorts and sizes have engaged in the business to
such an extent that there is really melancholy
prospect that respectable persons of acknowledged
fitness will abandon this convenient mode OF saying
what they have to say to the public As this would
be q real loss, all agents. managers and bureaus
NAV well be entreated to be little more carelul
how they convert the lecture room into circus,
and nut people forward who would never have been
heard of if they had not been either accused or con-
vcted of crime Already there are signs OF the decay
of the lecture system and If 1T is to be preSerVeu
and kent honorable and useful, as it may well he,
mere prctendcrs and charatans, and all those VINO
have nothing to recommend them save little du-
bous notorcty, should be severely discouraged
The pcOplo will do their part and ObStinately stay
away from what is Objectionable The danger is
that in their wrath they will Unfortunately de-
nOnnce all lectures whatever. This, in passing.
There is another and more important consideration
The moral objection to what is usually called
"velow-covered literature" is based upon the
theory that it famliarizes the popular mlnd WIN
crime and makrs heroes of criminals We do not
see why lectures upon particular murders are noU
open to the same objection. After exciting the pop
ular feeling in Jersey City and its neighborhOod
for many months: after being the source of endless
gossip and unwhOlesOme speculation, there was
reasonable prospect that we should hear no more OF
the murdered policeman, of his widow or of Ben
net The last named person has done his best to
prevent this pleasing oblivion; and he might have
succeeded possibly, if he had been better managed
II is not his fault that his unsavory enterprise has
come TO n lame. impOtcnt and poverty-strickcn con-
cluSion. His lecture might have been much better
worked np," as they say in the burcaus-better
advertised, placarded and pulled. He might nave
done something in conjunction with the giants and
snakes IN tho BOwery lie might have put money
in his purse by appearing as pedestrian. AS it is,
we ought to be thankful that he has Numbered at
tho outset in the business, and that Others trying
the same speculation have Numbered also. And
now. if he will 80 demean himself as to become
strictly private and nevcr-hearOf person, 1t is m-
possible to say how thankful people with no passion
for the horrible will he TO him.