Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1884-09-11
WAITS FROM WASHINGTON.
AN INTERESTING CHI a T ABOUT
THEATRES AT THE CAPITAL.
Some Political Frognostics The Revolt
Against Mahone--The Outlook in Ohio
Virginia Certain of IS, 900 Defa-
ocratic Majority.
Special CORRESPONDENCE of tie Sentinel.

---virginia Certain of as,oOO DEM
ocratic Majority.
Special Correspondence Of the Sentinel
WAsHrHGToN, D. c., Sept. g.
Washington is to have another thea
tire and opera house this season, and it
will be failure think for there is ne
temple of the muses. that can run
against the National Theatre. A word
about the amusements in the National
Capital may prove interesting.
There are four buildings that are
devoted to the tragic, comic, variety,
and horse opera, besides side-shows
that come and go in the most mystic
rious manner, in way that would dis
count Mrs. Jarley's wax works. There
is one and only one first-class theatre
in this city, and that is the National.
1t is on Pennsylvania Avenue, near
Willards Hotel, and has had chec-
ouered existence, it has been burned
down twice, but in the day time. 1t
is now built of brick, has all the safe
ty appliance that science can give to
make a fire impossible, immense tanks
of water ON the roof could inundate a
fire instantly. The National has made
money and made men in its time, but
it has swamped several managers, for
there is no avocation on land that re-
uuires so much tact, determination,
discrimination and administrative abll-
ity, as being the manager OF theatre,
and every instance proves that. A
man has to understand human nature
laoroo bo hac tp Ennry
good acting from bad, his wits have
to be kept to razors sharpness, as ey-
cry advance agent, every star, and Ia
fact the whole profession will try to
get ahead of him. A manager has to
be proof against mans bluffing, and
a woman's Establishments, and then to
top it all, have the luck to guess what
the popular taste will be in the coming
season, for the public caprice may run
to Opera Bouffe, the spectacular
drama, comedy, or the English opera.
The National has ruined several en-
terprising men since the war. Spaud-
ing was cleaned out-ditto Rapley-
then John F. Ford tried it, and he
got from under, in time to save his
bottom dollar. Then Sam Kingsley
became the manager and the right
man stepped in the right place. tie
has made this theatre the best south
of New York. A courteous gentlemen
and brainy man he has taken this
enterprise in hand and given the peo
pie of Washington a splendid place
to see the drama, and now one eau
behold the great stars, and renowned
singers, without going to Baltimore
as was once the custom.
Mr.. Kingsley has hosts of persona
!, friends, at the close Of last season, the,
: gave him a benefit, the like of which
. was never seen in this city before, tn
! crowd almost jammed the roof Oft o
the house. The second theatre
Ford's Opera Housce, a third rate al
fair. 1t has become the colored pee
ple's rendezvous and often has sue
: : plays as Uncle Toms Cabin, with ii
= ! typical Southerner, ruffian of course
Slave driver, blood hounds, whit
y slaves, &c, al nausedum, and wit
!. such performances as these, where tn
= :. South is villifed and misrepresentet
- does John Ford fill his house night,
y with Puritans, and the negroes. II
10 used to be as | said before, proprietc
> > of the National Theatre, but disguste
- - the respectable people of the cit
n n among whom was Don Piatt, WI
,e e struck at him heavily in the Capito
% John replied, and then Don let out {
% him and did more to break him I
= = than all other men combined.
~ Next there is a variety hall callt
* .e the Theatre Comique, where the bur-
% % cork, bare legs and blood and thund
- - plays of the Jim Bludsos type all mi
Z gle up in a wild confusion.
- Several years ago the Comeque Il
,e ae der Jake Budd, the finest negro q
~ leinator in this country, was a gre
L institution, it was patronized large
by gentlemen, who would drop i'll, e
II a good glass of beer, smoke a good
- gar and enjoy hearty laugh over
Ls h we'll filled bill. Jake made fortl
~. sold out at an enormous profit a
s ,s went to Europe, and made everybo
- - think he was Russian prince i'll d
ssn guise. The old time glories Of
Iv Comique are fed, and it is now
-, lowest place of resort in Washingt'
,ns M where all the riff raft, rag-tag and bs
af tail, black and white mingle like
,lv spirits in the witch's cauldron
~ There is a great need of a go
.ed Vaudeville, like Almacks in Lond'
,re and where respectable person {
II. go without having his pocket picE
,s;- or his head blown off with vile pois'
~. called by courtesy liquors.
I'll. TIE PRESENT POLITICAL OUTLOO
r. One month ago even the most s
tor guine Democrat in his heart had
md hope of Cleveland's success. The
leaders had been reglated to the re
and their adherents were angry, nj
flied and disappointed, and seemed
make up their minds to sit down
Tho do nothing for the cause. A gene
ad. feeling of apathy seemed to pos
urt the mass of Democratic votes.
inst Irish were threating to bolt the lai
the ing men of Democratic persusas
and talked ominously of leaving the pa
,on- The moneyed men shut up their pt
nds cts, and affairs were so blue that
the most sanguine Democrat could {
and whistle before company. and groal
pom bitterness of spirit i'll private.
.om The tide has turned, the mie
Democratic host has slowly gath'