The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-07-08

lOT dDbOlult LfuIn luhn 10 ubuhlly eA-
erCised in this respect. Fancy any
body except a theatrical man daring
10 call actors wage workers, or any
thing, in fact, less than artis's. Veri-
ly, it is evident that "a movement"
was in process OF iruition on this note
worthy occ asion.
After McVicker's letter was read the
histrloDic laborers were ripe for pass
ing resolutions. They followed in the
most reckless profusion, snd the new
ilsdged proie ssional anarchists adopted
them all without murmur OF dissent
and amid the widest enthusiasm.
They resolved all sorts OF things, and
emblazoued them on their fiery flag.
They resolved that there shall be no
more matinees except on Saturdays,
for the reason that those given on
Wedne:d day "foster idleness ia ths
comm nity'" that Sunday perfor-
msnces entail continuous labor upon
the actor, which is slsvish and de.
grading to him and to his art" and
that there is no cause for antagonism
in seeking TO arrange business rela-
tions upon principles OF equity"
Certainly not. Bat 0 Temporal and
0 msreS ! How the spirits OF Carr ok
Kemble, Keap, and Forrest, and the
other bygone giants of the stage, must
have rejoiced when the echo OF the g
resolutions penetr6 ted to the good ac-
tors happy hunting grouud-Iejoiced
that they thufled off the immortal
coil before art degenersted into a
trade and artists were transformed into
horny handed journeymen! Pray
consider these resolutions for a mo-
ment. Without the midweek matt
nee what would become Of the noble
army Of dudes with epiture predilec-
tons, who time out of mind have
made Wednesday field day ? What
substitute could be devised by that
particular section of the fair who find
them 30 admirably convenient for
talks with the loved ones OF their
hearts on whom pater and mater cast
an implacably friendly eye? Abolish
the Wednesday matinee and how
could the Brooklyn school girl spend
her money, and where would she mag
tiCate her necessary buttertup3? Blot
out this cherished institution, and the
handsome leading man, whose minia-
ture in lite adorns thousands Of bu-
reaus, and whose mustaChe and bangs
are enshrined in as many susceptible
9irlish hearts, would be compelled to
forego his Wednesday budget of
fragrant "mash" notes, and in the alb
sence thereof perhaps sack to drown
his sorrow in Manhattan cocktails
galore. As for the abolition Of Sun
day performances in Chicago, CinCin-
natl and other Western cities where
they are the vogue, the consequences
might be deep, lasting and dreadful.
With the theateIs closed on the Sab
bath, the honest citizens Of these
communities might perchauce 60 to
church. Surely tie Actors Order Of
Friendship could not have looked
into the subject of their resolutions,
weighed the matter carefully in all its
bearings or calculated the possible eff
feet.
The new movement" is not con-
fined to New York. 1t has spread to
Boston. This, / take it, is one Of the
most alarming symptoms. An or
ganization has been formed in Boston
called the "Universal Amust ment
League" It's object, according to the
prospe ctus, is "The Elevation OF the
Stage and the Rights of Performers. !"
The wrongs of PEI formers come in for
a fair share Of attention also. The U.
A. L. has an official organ, sheet that
is as inhsmmsble ard boisterous as
common firecracker. 1t is called the
Am,Wement Journal. In its pages there
is set forth editoriallg, didactically and
POLITICALLY what the profession should
not do, and what the U A. L. pro-
poses that the managers shall do. Here
are some specimen 9 anzas from verse
entitled "Just Join in Line" which
the last number OF the Journal con-
tains:
While the knights of labor strive
In their efforts, we imbibe
The spirit that will win Tor them success;
And we see that we, Ike them,
Are the instruments Of men
Who WELD power BY the gold which they
possess.
IT'S our talent and our skill
That helps fill the money till.
While to others we intrust the money pile
They count out pithnce small
And with great amount of gall
Tell US that is all they pay for our style,
Now the time has cone for u.s.
And there ought to be no FUSS
For the lesson haI been taught in many
ways;
Right will conquer every time,
So now, boys, just join in line,
And wen soon SEQ happier, brighter, bet
ter days.
The U. A. L. la a secret orRaniza-
ton, with degrees, asssmblieslsnd sn
elaborate code Of etpics. 1t has in
view the adoption of uniform scale
of wages for the various divisions OF
the profession, the enforcement OF de-
mands by strikes If need be, and all
the other leguhtions OF labor union,
What the membership consists of l
am at los TO say, but | believe the
scheme hiss not grown beyond the
limits OF he Hub.
The managers are not idle amid this
activity on the part of the play ers. An
authentic newspaper paragraph au-
nouncss that number OF Southern
managers have doomed a union with
a view to securing better attractions
than usually visit that section, and
also to lowering the scale of admission
price. No doubt We shall hear soon
OF managers Of companies combining,
a Ia railway corporations, to pool their
sues in a fight against the demands
OF acto,s. OF what ayailoare laments
over the condition OF dramatic ar
when the majority of the people who
should be it's proud preserves are
busy altering The thester from tenn
pie 10 workshops Write your lesrnss
and tiresome essfys, oh, ye sapien'
critics; tell us proslly wha. the stage
should be and what it isn't. The root
Of the evil reaches down in another
direction altogether than any that you
have vet discovered or followed.
HARRISON GREY FISkE.
XM ~ mn nj