The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-03-30

There was reaction, of course, when the
public learned the facts No palpable iniqui-
ty stands long against popular Indignation
when the public is once thoroughly satisfied
that it is an iniquity, and in this matter there
was no chance for an argument The reac-
ton took the form of a "Society for the Pre-
vention of Cruelty to Children" which was
modelled after Mr.. Henry Bergh's famous So
ciety for the protection of brutes.
1t is presided over by very wealthy gen.
tleman named Elbridge T. Gerry, who is
equally eccentric and equally conscientious
with Mr.. Bergh. The cause he espoused was
so obviously praiseworthy that the society
found no trouble in procuring the passage of
numerous laws intended for the protection
of the little ones, and very little trouble in
getting extraordinary powers delegated to
its officers in the execution of those laws.
Among the statutes alluded to was the one
Just mentioned, relative to the employment
Of children under sixteen years of age in
theatrical performances and the like.
1t will surprise a large portion of the pub
ic-though not those who go to the theatres
to know that this law is absolutely dead
letter.
|, There are more than hundred children
performing publicly on the stages of the
New York theatres every night, all of whom
are under the age mentioned, and many of
whom are wee, little creatures, hardly able
to speak plainly.
Section 292 of the penal code says: ga
person who employs or causes to be en-
ployed, or who exhibits, uses or has in GUS
tody, or trains for the purpose of the exhibit
ton, use or employment of, any child appar-
emily or actually under the age of sixteen
years; or who, having the care, custody or
control of such child, as parent, relative
guardian, employer or otherwise, sells, lets
out, gives away, so trains, or in any way
procures or consents to the employment OF
| to such training or use or exhibition of such
| child or who neglects or refuses to restrain
such child from such training, or from en-
gaging or acting 3 in a Theatrical
exhibition, is guilty of a misdeineanor."
The law further provides that any fines
penalties or forfeitures imposed or collected
for violation Of this provision of the code
must be paid on demand to the incorporated
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty t.
Children, in every case when the prosecution
| shall be instituted or conducted by such
society.
| Now, how is this law observed2 Take first
one of the most popular plays of the presen
season in New York, "The Seven Ages
has run for some months, and bids fair t.
| continue on the boards for a considerable
time. 1t abounds in tableaux and scenic eff
fects, and in the groups, that are arrange
skillfuny to please the eyes of the audiences
are about dozen little children, from to
or 10 years old. They have little speaking
to do, and they do not join in the singin,
with which the play abounds, but they d,
dance and pose in the tableau1, and they d.
both very prettily. In one scene in the pla,
a wedding feast is represented. AT the bacl
of the stage is set flight of ten or twelv
steps. down which the bridal couple come t.
the festivities. They are preceded by tw
little tots under years of age, who seattle
flowers over the stairs. They are SO SINAI
that they can hardly come down the stair