New-York tribune., 1884-01-11
THE ORA MA.
FOR CONGRESS.


Tho linz that divides comedy from farce is an op-
vious one. Acomedy should he picture of manners
dehcately exaggerated and made entertaining
with eauiyoke aud drOll situation. "A laIco
need not respect any law, Dut may
ride everything in its dash 10 the eo"' oI
froIc and laughter. Mr.. Lloyd, III INC
niece entitled "FOr Congress-" which was l"S'
night produced at the Fourteenth Street lhea're
for the first time Ill New-Aorh' "i'u
Mr. Ray1nond in its central character, mas piauncu
an eccentric comedy. but has left his work quite
within the line of farce. There is serious purpose
distinctly visible through his drollery, and there is
a serious vein of story apparent in the texture Oh
his plot. But the serious purpose is pursued with
exaCgcrated SATIRE and the serious story Is
hut family sketched and is allowed to dwindle
away through improbabities andforced expediehts
till at length it becomes wholly trivial, and all 'lat
Is left is farce Politicians such as General LimO@
no donbt exist but not in the glaring and fantastic
shape that has here been depicted as an image OF
successful political chicanery and vulgar, good
natured fraud. Weak persons like Peter Uoottet',
whose heads are momentarily turned by political
ambition OF intrigue, no doubt exist. But they
are not representative. Mr.. Lloyd has per
ceived the abundant opportunity that certain
of our American political methods offer for SATIRE
and for broad fun, and he has made sketchy piece
which holds them up to ridicule, and he mas h''eu
Mr. Raymond with a part which admlfaoty cams
ont ffs great resources of faTcical action ana Oh
drol animal spirits. The play is In four acts ana IL
uses twelve characters and the scene is Western
town. wherein wealthy old citizen is persuaded
nv General Timber to run for Congress, and where
the proceedings of an American convention are eH-
posed TO n good humOrcd derisiOn, such as is often
well deserved The style isbright and especially II
abounds in felictous comic phrases The disclosure
made here and there Of the expedlents TO which
pOlitical managers resort shows most Keen Ooser-
yation and a merry sense OF the aOsulu
and mirthful elements of political lie
and character. The proceedings OF GeR@a
Jimber in getting Mr.. WOOllett nominated, ana his
nernloxity. between two rival ladies, one of whom
has received from him letter intended for the
other. make up the substance of tho play. Inc
comic part is excellent as farce; the serious part Is
forced precpitate, needless, and such as hinders
the needed celerity OF the ACTON
and makes weak termination. MI
RAYMOND. however has been furnished with a BET
fer mart for his purposes and pecuiaries than any
that he has found since colonel Sellers In fact TINS
agile alert, cheerful and much bothered political
schemer was last night as brilliant as NiigS ana
more agreeable. The piece passed smoGthIy, an9
the acting of Mr.. Raymond was frequently greeted
with tumults of happy laughter FOR congress
cannot be viewed as q comedy OF American ne.
II is not lust to take eXcTcSenceS and MAKE thel
representative features. But, as ski AT ceftaln
absuTdities and as the 1limsy fTame-Wolk OF Il
capta eccentric farce character, /, is dlNtnGt
succcss and there should be no doubt that II VIII
have a prosperous run. The cast is as follows: