New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-12
aTrE D1sREprTApLE MR.. REAGAN"

To the Edltor Of The TT une'
sir: Tho dramatic criticism Of Tho Tribune Is III
ways notable for its Intellectual stimulus ana !o' n"
upward Eft due TO regard for the idcanes
on the latter score il has offered a lcnedcia though
hardly saving. support to the saeGns drama ana Oh
that same score / would like to interpose a reao'
comment on one sta ement and also OF one omissoh
in your criticism OF Mr. DaviSs "monoloSuc lio"
his story of "The DlsIeputabic Mr.. Reagan.
You find fault with the motive Of the play VIII"
,n,utes 3 capacity for self sacrifice TO murderou'
criminal OF the vulgarest social type. In the 'eSe
vay Of stating the general principle your words carry
conviction almost beyond appeal; but Is the.c ho'
room In tits special Instance for more chan'aoc
View In the first place the dlsreputnDe MI hcas"'
had shown no disregard OF human HE except III
frenzicd effort 10 save his own life ana TO aelenu MN
self against the consequences Of arrest In the secoh
place nature has gwen to child the hrst ana '''
r-,,,n upoh even the dregs OF pity IN tho human
heart And II we grant that both Of these COZ
sdoratIons are an III fl for the soidcn soul Vi M
REAGAN is It not permissible In the interest Oh e"",
70 give him the benefit OF the dlubtf ID NC NV
crest significance Of this little tragedy Is INC Pl"'o
where such sclf-sscrfce for a helpless oHi" vac
found. To have picked out of the sluns OF our own
CIV a.. Mcclure OF human misery and human deVouon
and 10 have nmned it with dramatic force ana az
tstic OBJECT Is to have made stree 'o""lU o"0 "
the clicf moral purposes Of the stage.
As 20 the omission | have mentioned couid you ho'
IN the interest OF Ideally nave OUJoOtVi l" Wv
ot the child at the very moment when tue c"'uo''
hos Owen himself to the detectives In oder 10 save
,ts IIfe} N.Y. sothern with the tendency 81 '"o
dramatic instinct TO finish things might say per
hans that the failure Of Mr.. EeagaD's noble puFfSse
was Nv contrast essential to strong cnln~' hu' !"
pr,pcIp;s higher than dramatic effect Is lhVoNeu !"
the conclusion OF this play, and that dramatic justice
The death of the child is logical mistaie' oe'""se
Il Is not Inevitable; II is en- artistic error 0ecause
the safety OF the child through remsriab!o sen
sacrifice is the whole motive OF the drama ana uhocl
suob circumstances alone can point me mo- %
and aAorn the tale How unnecessarily churhsn
10 send tie wretched Mr.. Reagan TO the dock, anu
POSSIBLY 10 the g,iows with the kIoW 'hd' Nv
lad wasted the one good action OF Ms NE
II is easv 10 make this criticism Oh an othcn"SSe
adrnirabl play siice IN tho original story M DAHis
follows the cad OF his artistic instinct ana I've 'e
me probe sense does not exist ut the Lyceum
or doubt not, its heart w0uid rave u'oPP'u !"
silence WITH the drop OF the curtain. ur,,o o
II is nor Often VS. see on the stage 50 resi.' -
sott'rr wthont claptrap disturbed perspective, OF
the Gerry life about rs, such a MI sotuct has svua
With tls cnoloue rs demands upon u,s f9r
essaying 80 serious work; and oiieilns ., ls
onjnlon tor the little 1t be worth, II he s'op5 ST.
1tb The rueagre trial Of two periorInanoes ootn Ma
yrow.h and tie public interest VIII ne INC IofciSo
New.York. Nov. ., lew - -