The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-10-08
MIR. EOrtI's AnnINcranrx

The thlrtieth anniversary of Mr.. John T.
t"id career as theatrical manager was celebrated
al ms theatre In Baltimore last Monday night II
quite took the character OF ovation AS hs had m
Overlooking house. aud was the recipient of nnmerol.
testimonials from friends IN other cities as well s IN
Baltimore. Flowers were sent him I'm profugIon and
letters and kilograms lnnumerablc, bearing messages
OF good VIII and good wishes for long continued Ca
reer and prosperity In one Of the boxes was Mr..
Fofd's venerable mother, now cighty-twO wears of
age, anu surrounding her wer1 her descendants OF
three generationS-Mr. Ford himself his sons and
hisgrandchildren. The SUn In an editorial before til,
event, said: 90 lie lSnOw thn oldest Theatrical manage,
IN the United States, and II speaks well for his iur-
ment and his careful business habits that willis num-
beers Ut other managers In other cities and subject Ia
IKE fluctuations, have appeared and disappeared hC
has gone on, through good seasons aud bad seasons
neither too greatly depressed nor too much eated but
always prepared Ia Jake arms against Of trOll-
blcs and by opposing end them Thirty years OF tho
atIcal managenentcO could not he other than thirty ycars
OF storm and stress, aud he who has proved himself to
have been able TO steer clear of the rocks that have
wrecked and the qulcksands that have enculpled s,
many OF lis contemporary managers, must possess
not only tenActy Of purpose, but also To lscrm
going public and prudent fOrothOught that is the
best safeguard against speculative ventures. These
quantities. together with an eyenpess of temper that is
not easily disturbed, Mr.. Ford possess In 4 remark :
able degree and In business brisllmg with dinlcu-
Ties both within the theatre aud outside of it, they
have stood him In go0l stead Itisone of tho highest
merits OF Mr. Ford that throughout the whole period
OF Ills management he has retained the good nj of The,
profession and that In extending his theatrical enter
prlscs To Washington and many Southern cities lie has
won Tor himself the same personal esteem IN which he
Is holi ~ nome. Under Ills management nearly all
the great stars that have shOno from time To time In
The hlarOhic armament hayeappOaIei In the Theatres
he has controlled, while lie has done much also In
The way OF helping Young native talent tO {,
foothold on the professional ladder they were ambi-
tious 10 climb. Born among rs. and living among Ms
all his days, NIL Ford has not been OnspicnOis
as a theatrical manager than good and useful
citizen We do not speak OF his services the grand
Jury and In the city council however wOrihiy he may
nave nhlled those dntes We are tar more impressed
ID. nHl he q UlNg Ehn =.
give TO those charities which In great city are
always appealing Ia the benevolent Tor assstanco
To such, whenever the occasion seIyed-and 1t has
been frelnentha nsa Of his theatre aud the profits
~ any entertainment that might bo given thGra have
been often generously rendered. Willie he has been in
defatlgaDe FOR saveTa years past Ia promoting and
personally supervising those free summer excursions
ior aged pertohs aud poor children which are an
honor to the cty ani have done much good To tho
heiiencaries. ~