St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-08-14


chuSettS to pass IAN act to prevent
stage plays and other theatrical enter
talnmentS."
While sitting few weeks ago, chat
ting with Minnesota's own delightful
performer, Sol Smith Russell. at his
beautiful home OH First avenue south.
Minneapolis, could not help but notice
the contrast of the surroundings be-
tween the Sol Smith Russell of our
WORLDS fair year and that of his Splen-
did uncle, "Sol Smith," who was one
OF the most amusing of the broad class
OF comedians, and in many ways an odd
and entertaining character. He began
MS career as an actor in 1919. and at
various times he was a clerk, singing
master, an editor, law student, poll
tlclan, an actor and manager. Speak
Ing OF the blgOtry existing against act
orS IN those days, Sol Smith, in his de-
llghtful "reminiscences, tells of one town
where he caused a negro boy to be ar
rested on the charge of having stolen
his watch. In giving his testimony Sol
remarked that he was at the time of the
theft officiating as high priest of the
sun.
Flows this? How's this?' interrupt
ed the country justice, High priest of
the sun? Pray, where did all this hap
penn"
AT the theater, sir. | was officiating
as high priest, and as"
AT the theater?" screamed the JUS
tlce. Served you right, then, served
you right: Boy, you ihay go. dismiss
the case.''
Another incident in the life of one of
the first of American actors. A Mr..
Henry was, through lameness, obliged
to go to the theater in coach, and to
prevent public cutlery at the enormity
OF an actor keeping coach, he hit upon
the devise of painting on the door, in
the manner of cOat-Of-armS, two
crutches crossed with the motto, 'This
OF these" Not more than two months
ago there appeared in st. Paul and Min
neapolis in the cast of MIR. Wilkinson's
Widows all actor named Holland,
whose fathers funeral and the bigotry
of certain Rev. Mr.. Sabine were the
direct cause of the erection of that little
place of worship in New York dear to
the heart of all stage players, known as
1.-The Little Church Around the Cor
ner." AT the death of the venerated
actor, George Holland, in 1870, Rev.
Sabine refused to open his church for
the funeral of the actor, and this lead to
the building of tine church from which
so many actors and actresses of late
years have had the last sad respects
paid them by hundreds of sorrOwing
friends.
In 1882 Harrisburg clergyman, who
read the burial service over the remains
OF Joseph Jefferson, the great comedian
OF that period, and as illuStriOuS and be-
loved as his beloved descendent and
name-sake, altered the text of the serv-
''Our deceased brother" in the sentence
which onm nitC tho hO6y RI tho Ground
These signs and many like them in
dicated the ancient spirit of comingled
blgotry towards the theater, but is al
most an unknown quality in this
worlds fair year. The hundreds of
Columbian astronomers are searching
the horizon of history with their
glasses, in their attempts to discover
something more incidental to the life of
the great navigator whereby he has
benefited the American people, the world
generally and for which they are to be
thankful for. The astronomer who
studies the stars and satellites of the
theatrical armament, their conditions
and changes since the first theater was
erected on this hemisphere which Co
lumbus first told the world about, also
in this worlds fair year has many
things 10 be thankful for. One is the
betterment of the actors condition,
both morally and financially, and the
expulsion, let us hope forever, of big
otry against the stage and its perform
ers. In this year the public mourns
the loss OF great actor as much as they
do great statesman. No church shuts
its doors to prevent poor Billy Flor
ence from having a most respectful
funeral, but, on the contrary. hun
dredS of the most eminent minds,
poets. painters, men of letters,
scientists, senators and the representa-
tive men of our nation and the repre-
sentative men of other nations sent to
the bereaved widow letters and tele-
grams of coincidence and sympathy.
Bigotry rides on its raids no more
against the player. During the week of
the Democratic convention in Chicago
Grover Cleveland was the most prom
inent figure in all our Ga 600, 900 of pop
ulation. During that time his closest
and perhaps most beloved companion
among his friends was an actor Think
of it: What change.
For this change both the players and
the people should be thankful. In this
year, if one will pause to listen, he may
hear coming from the ranks of those
enlisted in the theatrical enterprises,
the hum of industry, the fine poetic
murmur of reverence and aspiration
coming from these theater folks. Let
them give thanks-they have good
cause to in this worlds fair year.
CHARLES ASTOR PARKER,