New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-15
CHECKED BY THE POLICE.
PREVENTING "A SUNDAY EXHIBITION.

| PREVENTING A SUNDAY EXHIBITION.
STORMY SCENES IN THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE
VERY LITTLE OF AN "EXPOsrRr OF SPIRITUAL
ISN," But A GREAT DEAL OF TCMULT
1t was announced in the morning papers
Yesterday that Professor" H. Cooke assisted by Miss
seome Crawford, would give az the Grand Opera House
in the evening full exposure of the secrets Of Spirit
ualism and the socaed naturalization OF the dead.
Something in the wording OF the advertisement led In
| spccor Dlks to think that there to he an ex-
hbition Of nature forbidden Ivy the laws in regard to
the observance Of sunday and he sent verbal message
to Sergeant John J. Taylor who was acting captain OF
the precinct in the absence OF Captain McElwain In
strucng him to attend the exercises and see that the
Sunday laws not violated
At 9 o'clock every seat in the Grand Opera House
filed and the aSes crowded with eager spec
ators but tie Professor" did not sppear. The audi
ence Of the presence OF the sergeant behind
the scenes became noisy and called Loudly for the
speaker. In about quarter OF an hour " Professor
Cooke came forward and after giving brief his
tory OF sprualsm from 1913 to the present dfy Chal
lcnged any Spirtuallst traucemedium in New YORK
to perform by all OF spirits any feat whatever which
he could reproduce upon the spot and offered to
place himself under $1,000 bonds for the fulfil
mcnt OF his pledge He then requested six
persons in the audience TO come forward and
act as a committee 10 fair play. While
this committee was forming left the stage, and re-
turning after long absence. informed the audience
that an officer OF the law present with an lnjunc-
ton against his proceeding further with an entertain
ment which might be termed an &" exhibition" He was
Forbidden he said. to employ assistant IN any man
ncr, or TO any special apparatus. At this
the audience became very noisy, and cries OF
| You're fraud" Give our money back"
Prove that you don't lie" drowned the speakers voice.
Many persons cried out Never mind the policel Give
your show and Wen stand by you" After further
conference with the sergeant the Professor" again
came forward and put his cabinets and special ap
paratus.
AT dozen different places this city tonight" he
conn Jlained those who cali themselves spintuaists
are soldng and dark circles, using the very
same apparatus have but because would do in the
light what they do in the dark am threatened with
lie then proceeded with the permission Of the officer,
10 perform few tricks which he could do alone ana u-
assisted that being termed an exhibition Iut the
audience not satisfied. aud many persons shouted
threats aganst for his supposed bad faith, while 9TH
err directed teir against the police FOR interfering
Captain BENJAMIN Gregory, Of the 22d Regiment, came
forward Rnd endcavored 10 show the people now mat
ters stood The police" he said, walk the streets
everywhere but Roster & Blsls concerts and Harry
Hnrs Aviation Army have not been seen. We have,
that's all"
Then there appeared upon the peace commits
soner in the person OF Arthur A. Waite who introduced
himsclf IA one OF the people they call Evangests"
should draw its sympathes' and listen 70 lecture
IN lieu OF further performances. He called for
yOfe. and IA few persons answered aye, while all
the rest shouted no, aud there was great tumut
William +. Howe cine upon the stage and after ex-
planning that the Professor" was not an mpostor,
said that he believed the laws to be unjust and that
Cooke chose to on with the performance aud snher
arrest he would be s5d 10 conduct an appsau To hne
mIghticr than your petty police courts
After attempt at AN lmpromptu entertainment,
rendered very dicut and unpleasant by tho hsses OF
the audience Professor" IN despair rang the bell
the curtain 10 fail ana ei the stage lie sand alter
the exposure would be made as soon as poss
bic during tlc MrcR.