The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1890-02-20

There was a reaction, OF oourna whom the
public learned the faota No palpable inIqui.
ty stands long against popular indignation
when the public ID once thoroughly satisfied
that II ~ an niquity, and In this matter there
was no chance for an argument, The reao'
ton took the form OF "Boolety for the Pro
Yentlon Of Cruelty 10 Children, - which was
modelled after Mr., Henry Bergh'a famous no.
eiety for the protection OF bruteA
II Ia presided over by very wealthy gen.
tleman named Elbridgo 4, Gerry, who Ia
equally eco,ntrc and equally conscientious
with Mr. Bergh, The cause he espouaod was
No obviously prulseworthy that tho society
found no trouble In procuring tho passage Of
numerous laws intended for the protection
Of the little onea aud very little trouble In
getting extraordinary powers delegated 10
IL officers In the execution Of those laws
Among tho statutes alluded 10 was tho ono
Just mentioned, relative 10 tho employment
Of children under sixteen years OF age In
theatrical performances and tho like,
II will surprise a largo portion Of tho pub
lic-though not those who 10 10 the theatres
to know that this law Ia absolutely dead
lottor.
There arc moro than hundred children
performing publicly on tho stages OF tho
Now York theatres every night, all Of whom
arc under the ago mentioned, aud many OF
whom arc wco, little creatures, hardly able
10 speak plainly,
Section eD1 Of the penal code says "a
person who employs or causes 10 be om'
poyod, or who exhibits, usos or has In Gus
tody, or trains for tho purpose OF the exhibit
ton, uso or employment Of, any child appar'
emily or actually under the age OF sixteen
years, or who having tho caro-, custody or
control OF such child, az parent, relative,
guardian, employer or otherwise, soils, lots
out, gives away 30 trains, or In any way
proeuroa or consents 10 tho employment or
10 such training or use or exhibition Of such
child, or who nogloots or refuses 10 restrain
such child from such training, or from on.
gagng or acting In theatrical
exhibition, is guilty Of misdcmeanor,n
Tho law further provides that any fines,
penalties or forfoIturca imposed or collected
for violation Of this provision OF tho code
must DO paid on demand 10 the Incorporated
Society Tor tho Prevention OF Cruelty 10
Children, In oyory case when tho prosecution
NhNAl w NihhlNANNb W NNhAhNNNH ~ HhNh
society,
Now how IL this law obsoryodl Take first
ono OF tho most popular plays OF the present
season In New York, "Tho Seven Ages" II
has run for some months, and bids fair 10
continue on tho boards for a considerable
time IL abounda In tableaux and scenic Of.
focte, and In tho groups that arc arranged
skillfully 10 please the eyes OF tho audiences,
arc about dozen little children, from 3 TO .
or 10 years old They have little speaking
10 do, and they do not join In the singing
with which tho play abounds, but they do
danoo and poso In tho tabloauK, aud they do
both worry prcttily, In one soono In the play
a wedding feast Is represented, Az the back
OF tho stage Ia sot aight OF ton or twelve
steps, down which the bridal couple come 10
tho festivities They arc preceded by two
llttlo tots under yoarS OF age, who scatter
flowers over tho stairs They arc NO small
that thOy can hardly como down the stairs