New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-24
Mr.. GERRY'S EXPLANATION
HE DOES NOT ASsAIL TIE LEGITIMATE THE
ATR1CAL PROFESsION-MANAGER AROUSED.

HE DOES NOT AssAIL TIE LEGITIMATE THE
ATR1CAL Observation-Disclosures AROUSED.
Elbrdge T. Gerry has written a letter 10 The
Tribune In which he maintains that tho report OF MS
address before the Committee for the Prevention OF
state Regulation OF Vice on Tuesday makes many
misstatements and misrepresens him The r'si-
ton that he assumed Is outlined 10y lin In r.ite-
ment which is In part rs follows:
IL am not assaing the legitimate theatrical pro
fession nor the stage itself. II has always had
a mission TO perform. and for centuries II has held
he mirror up to nature II has produced men ana wome
OF brilianry and genius from the days OF shak eare
down. But In these degenerate days there has peeh
engrafted on 1t what is commonly known as the leg
DRAMA and an attempt made TO further bring within
It's province indecent physical exhibitions OF thr
lowest grade. Bad the modern leg drama Is. 1t
Is much worse TO have children brought In contact
with many women about whose private character
the less said the better Last year the Legislature
for the first time in fifteen years
amended the law so as to permit 'he
exhibition Of children In legitimate theatrichi
business as an incident to the plot. This winter
an attempt is threatened to open the door 10 vice
by lecalizing song and dance in every dive, den,
concert saloon and dime museum in this city. And
while the OF children AS an incident 10 pay
was asserted TO be necessary and not harmful anu
to put In the language OF the advocates OF last
winter to permit them to earn their own h'ms'
enlargement
PRODUCTION Of song and dance in any licensed place
of amusement simply means the education OF female
children for eventual lives OF prostitution.
"Within the next two weeks the Legislature OF
New-Yorl is TO be asked 1t Is said, to pracuca)y
legalize the education OF children In vice by opening
the door wide as to song and dance III snch
law passes my arm falls TO protect the Children
because any place which holds license. he IL
ever so vile, is in the eye Of the law reputable
place 1t means that every den. dive and concert
saloon shall be allowed to exhibit these unfortunate
children In song and dance. That simply ehus III
vice. You know what sort Of places these are. and
what such licenses amount to- such places IL
children are allowed to perform therein. are simply
sinks Of iniQuity. AS an act OF simple justice 10
myself and to the society which represent, re-
snectflly ask that YOU will insert this communication
I'm your valuable paper. The managers OF reputable
theatres in this city are always without excepuoh'
warm friends OF this society and OF myself per
sonav and do not intend II can AVOID IL 10 J."
misr.presented In what say concerning the stage
have not assaied, and do not intend TO aSSah' INC
legitimate theatrical profession. II has no warmer
friend than myself, and Indignantly repnda'e the
assertion that have made Incorporate and unjust
attacks on the regulations OF women In that profession
or that have denounced the stage as nothing more
than the education OF children In the schooi oi VICE
| made no such assertion
A. NJ. Palmer gave a breakfast at the Players
subject was discussed Among the guests were
Daniel Frohman. Henry F. Abbey. John schoenei
Frank b. Murtha, L. c. Stanton, Frank W. sanger
Rudolph Aronson Z. G.. Gilmore, Eugene IompNhs
A. A. Mccormick, H. c. Miner, f. +. Knowles Iieihr'c"
Conried J. Wesley RosenQuest, Marc Klaw ana oscar
Hammerseln. 1t decided that the managers
should unite in a strong protest against Mr. Gerrye
attitude and methods in relation to the employment
Of children on the stage. meeting OF probably
nearly all the prominent theatrical managers OK 'he
city will DO held this afternoon to take further acton
on the subject
Last winter the law in regard to child actors was
amended, and the managers thought that they were
to have Ittlo or further trouble, but as soon as
there was an opportunity for test case 1t was iouhd
that Mr. Gerry had by means lost his power TO
regulate affairs to considerable extent. In fact,
the managers who wanted to employ children have
been scarcely particle better of this season thah
thew ever were before. Now they say. they mean TO
make fight II 1t is necessary, for some decided ad
vantage 1t IS equally 10 be expected that Mr.. Gerry
will oppose them. II they encroach on ground mat mas
hitherto been his, with his accustomed determination
and skill.