Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-03-05

There was trouble at the theater las,
night, owing to a disagreement between
the lessee of the theater and the amateurs
presenting the cantata of Esther. y
long wait occurred between the second and
third acts, and Dr. Pinkham appeared IN
behalf of the company and explained to
the audience that it was due to an attempt
on the part of the employees OF the manager
of the theater to prevent the curtain going
up, because of alleged refusal, on the part
of the amateurs, to pay the rent as
agreed. He declared that the con,
tract which he held in his hand
had been and would be strictly
adhered to, and that D. ]. Simmons should
not perpetrate any outrage upon the COM
pany or audience by stopping the perform
ance lie alleged that some one OF the
EMPLOYEES had mcnaced him behind the
scenes with threat to shoot. The audi
ence became very much excited and man
ifested its sympathy for the company very
warmly, and especially so when thespeaker
announced that Judge Henry and
Chief Jackson were in attendance
and supported the position OF the
company. The excitement tor ume
was intense and the applause lor the
company loud and long continued. Inc
curtain went up and the performance went
on. Statements of both sides were taken
at the close Of the entertainment, and are
substantially as follows: Mr.. Myers, Treas
urer, on behalf of Simmons, says the con-
tract for the rental called for $40 per night,
and included license, gas. stage hands, the
theater properties, etc. That the flrst night,
at the end of the performance the company
paid So 80, the second night SO, and yes
terday paid the SD 80 due on the first
night. That it is the prevailing custom in
renting theaters to have the rent paid
either on the opening OF the house
each night, or else between the second
and third acts, unless security Is gwen Tor
payment thereafter. That his employer,
Simmons, lett for Stockton last night at $50,
and left an order to collect the rent aC-
cording to the custom, or get some one to
say he would be responsible, as it was found
difficult often to collect otherwise. That
the contract had been made with \. San
| born that the amateurs had been requested
| to name some one else to be responsible,
| and had not done so. That he went on the
| stage to collect the rent, as an order had
| been made on the box-otlice keeper by DR..
Pinkham, acting for the company,
not to pay out any money except on
| his order That immediately the amateurs
hustled him and he got out. The stage
carpenter. on his behalf, says he presented
all order from Simmons to collect the rent,
or not send up the curtain. That on his
refusal to raise it, the amateurs also
! hustled him, and finally. by request OF
Judge Henry and Chief Jackson, he per-
mitted the performance to go on. Theman
who lifts the curtain denied that he
drew any pistol or offered to shoot or had
any thought of it, and that employees of the
amateurs took his place and he was driven
out On the other hand, O. ?. Dodge, box
clerk for the amateurs says he was applied
to for the rent. and he told Simmons
the men engaged were good for it, and
he would pay; that he had orders to pay
no money from the box; that Simmons
expressed himself rs satisfied, but kept say
ing he ought to have security for his rent,
| etc. DR.. Pinkham states on his behalf that
| he heard Simmons had threatened to shut
| off the gas, and hence he ordered no money
| to be paid him from the box office. Dun
ing the day he had had a lively rattle with
! Simmons, and gave him his mind freely
and in strong language, and told him he
would get his money at the end OF
the performance, and not before
Between the second and third acts
employees of Simmons came on the
stage, but not to him, and tried to stop the
performance unless the rent was paid. He
| heard no demand for security. He was
prepared with men to displace the stage
! hands and did displace them, and one OF
| them resisted and threatened To use lead
and put his hand behind him; but on be-
ing menaced with arrest the man denied
that he had so threatened, and went to
work again. The contract was exhibited
and proves to be an agreement between
Sanhorn and Simmons. by which the
| former was to have the theater free
Of gas bills, employees bills, license,
etc, and with use of properties
for $75 per night for three nights
| It was provided that Simmons
should not interfere with the management
OF the cantata, or the use of the theater for
the three nights by the amateurs, in any
manner whatever DR.. Pinkham says be
was aiding the amateurs from pure kind
ness, and had no interest in the matter, out
| had been annoyed by Simmons several
times about the rent and by protfers of adj,
vice not asked for. 1t was very lively about
the theater last night for some hours, anc
the ladies and gentlemen in the cantata
were very indignant concerning the affair
Simmons is out of town, and he remain!
f., j., hoard from,