Wichita eagle., 1889-01-01
A MAGNIFICENT GIFT.
Edwin Booth Formally Presents the Actors
Home to the Profession.


New YORK, Dec. 31-It was an impress
sive scene at the Players Club, No. 100
Grammercy Park, tonight when Edwin
Booth, as its president, formerly presented
that magnificent new building to his
brethren of the stage. The presentation
look place at midnight in the main hall,
which is reached by a flight of marble
steps from the entrance
Among those who stood around
Mr.. Booth when he began his
address were Augustus DAILY, Law
renee Barrett, E. c. Connor, John
Drew, Harry Edwards, Owen Fawcett.
Charles Fisher, John Gilbert, Edward
Harrigan, James Lewis; James E. Muir
lock, Sol Smith Russell, Alexander Sal
yini, Dan Frohman, Chas. r. Jefferson, A,
NJ. Palmer T. B. Aldrich, William Gil
lete, c. p Lathrop, :. L. NJ. Barlow,
Judge Joseph F. DAILY, Colonel II. w. Col
den, Park Goodwin, General Horace Por-
ter, Elihu Rost, General w. L. Sherman,
Stanford White and Brayton Ives.
Booth stood under his fathers portrait
and spoke as follows: although our vo-
cations are various l greet you all as
brother players. This is the supreme mo-
nent of my life. 1t is my happy privi-
lege TO assume the character of host to
welcome you to this house, which IN a few
l.
hope that we for many years, and our leg
itimate successors, for at least L. 600 gen.
erations may assemble for friendly
intercourse and intellectual reci-
tations. Especially for worthy members of
my profession, and desire that the asso-
citation shall be the means of bringing
them, regardless of their theatrical rank,
into communion with those who, ignorant
Of the personal qualities hidden by the
mask of our calling, know them as actors
only. Frequent interviews with gentlemen
Of other arts and professions who love the
stage and appreciate the value
Of the drama as an aid
20 intellectual culture, must inspire
the humblest player with reverence for
his vocation as one among the first of the
fine arts" which too many regard as
merely means to the qualification of van
ny and selfishness. Such is the object of
this club. For many years l have cher
shed the hope that | might be able to do
something for my profession of more last
ing good than mere aims giving, but
could not determine what course to pur-
sue Our several benevolent institutions
for the relief of poor and disabled actors,
foremost among them the noble Forest
Home, great as their good work is, do not
afford the social advantages SO necessary
for what is termed elevation of the
stage" Not until after many conversa-
tions with members of theaters on this
subject and while discussing with AlessrS.
Barrett, DAILY and Palmer-a club of this
character being suggested as the best
means to q good end-did ! resolve to do
my utmost in furtherance of the scheme
proposed. This is the first step towards
the accomplishment of our purpose. To
our treasurer Mr. VIM. Bisphram, we owe
the wise selection of our house; to Mr..
Stanford White its admirable construction
and establishment, while to the poet
Aldrich we are indebted for the choice of
an appropriate and comprehensive title,
the world being but stage where every
man must play his part Mine just
now as the new year dawns, is n very
happy one, since it permits me to present
to you by the hand of our wee president
Mr.. DAILY. your title deeds to this property.
Having done so, am no longer your host.
resign the role with profound thanks for
your prompt and generous cooperation
In a cause so dear to me.
so worthy of all we'll wishers of
the theater and Of the player who struts
and frets his hour upon the stage though
somewhat past the season. Let us now
fire the yule log sent from Boston by my
daughter with the request that 1t be
burnt as her offering of love, peace and
good will to the players. While it burns
let us drink from this loving cup be-
uueathed by William Warden of loved and
honored memory 10 our beloved Jefferson,
and by him presented to US; from
this cup and this souvenir OF long ago.
my fathers fiaCon, let US now, beneath
this portrait, drink TO the PLAYERS perpetu-
al prosperity.
NJ. DAILY responded with a short speech
of acceptance. He said he was anything
but talker or maker of speeches. The
gift of Mr. Booth he designated as prince
" and had begun with modeSty peculiar
to Mr.. Booth.
Mr. Lawrence Barrett read poem CON-
posed by DIR. L. w. Parsons, of Boston, for
the occasion. Tears welled up in Mr..
Booths eyes during the recitation and he
made great attempts TO affect compoSure,
but at the conclusion OF the reading
when Mr. Booth ordered the yule log
which his daughter had sent to be lighted
mirth reigned. The famous cut which
had once been with Booth, Barrett aud
Jefferson TO welcome Warden and by him
presented TO the club was brought forth
and filed. Edwin Booth drank from it
first to the toast of 1.-The players perptual
prosperity Then he passed it TO Angus
Jus DAILY and from him it went to the rest
Of the company.
THE THIRD TENNESSEE CONTEST.
CHATTANOOGA, Dec. S1.-A dispatch
from Nashville says: Chancellor Allen has
dismissed the bill of Greed F. Bates. DEM
ocrat, who sought TO obtain the certificate
of election as congressman from the
Third district, over II. {. Evans, Repub-
1ican. Bates temporarily enjoined Gov
erpor Taylor from issuing the certificate
TO Evans The matter has been appealed
to the supreme court