New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-30
MIR. GERRY AND THE Elliot FAMILY

Although the prOprietOrs of the circus had
said that the Elliott Children would resume their per-
formances yesterday they did appear The little and
the big bicycles and the four unicycles piled up
together in a of the property-room aud the
children stood around them looking disguised and dis
consulate. Mr.. Hamilton announced that the children
would snutv uerform to-day. The following letter was
sent by z. T. Barnum TO President Gerry yesterday
mornings
NEwYoRK, March 80, 1888
DEAR SIR: An experience OF nearly half rentury in
catering TO the amusements and instructions OF the pub
lie warrants saying that it would lie rather late in
life for now to begin TO violate the law OF the land
Cruelty to Children you have seen fit scrutinze per-
formace the bicycle of several children who have in
too am member and director of the Society for the
Prevention OF Cruelty to Children and am proud TO add
that my wife is president and iie member OF the
same society in Connecticut You and MI Gerry have
both ectuied this subject before the Connecticut
Humane Society from the same platform aud on the
same day. and you will not attribute 10 egOtisn
| say that yield not even to you in affection and
consideration for children Millions OF the little ones
and their parents call me as dd the late President Gar
You urge that the brilliant acts the bicycle by the
Elliott Family are reprehense9 aud unlawful, and you
people who know nothing about the iaclsl cor
robOrating your opinion feel that the Elliott Children
the bounds law and proprety, and that which would
permit my own children or grandc ildren 10 do. You
markedly healthy and happy fact easily accounted for
by believers in muscular Christianity. who know that
In order further satisfy myself that Offending
law permitting these children 10 ride their bicycles
in Madison Square Garden. requested my counsel
Messrs Howe and Hummel to witness the bicycle act OF
these children and have been assured y these gentle
that the proceeding is violation OF the law In
sense Inasnuch | have brought the Elliott Family
from Portugal and extensively advertised their remark
able skill the bicycle shall not willingly consent 10
disappolnt the millions OF respectable children and
lilies who patronize my Greatest Show Earth each
season therefore respectfully urge that yon will at
tend the performance any occasion and judge for
yourself whether the Law Il violated or not. YOu will
find that II a healthy and delightful five minutes
which gives the Elliott Children much real pleas
ure as il does al who behold it,
IT, after the exhibition. you still feel that II Is matter
which the legal tribunals should pass upon will attend
with you before any justice may select and test the
question which you have raised feel that yOu do not
desire be the sole arbiter In when IL would bc
" cruelty TO children 10 deprive them OF "A healthy
means OF gaining their livelihood and financial ndcpend
II the newspapers report you correctly you talk
learnedy of hernia" ana other calamitics OF which
lawyers usually know much less than doctors. there
fore will he glad at moment 10 abide the decision Of
a council Of unbiased physicians ani surgeons In re-
the health and perfect safety al thi- p"f aud
charming ozhibition. Very Respect u.Iy your,
p. 7. BAENUd
p S-YOur answer by bearer Is respectfully solicited.
Mr. Gerry's reply was sent yesterday afternoon and
was follows:
am in receipt OF your letter OF this date. have sim
ply say you what have already stated personally
and with every courtesy, that II the provisions OF the
Penal Code of This state, which have invited your
attention. violated I'm your Greatest show
Earth this society, in the discharge OF It's corporate
duty Will prosecute all parties concerned, pursuant 10
law.
At tho Office OF the society, Superintendent jenkins
said that he had finished talking and proposed
act