The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-04-30
A Setback to Culture.

A Setback to Culture.
There is not much encouragement TO
the liberal policy which Mr.. Frothing.
ham had inauguratsd in the spectacle
Of first class theatrical company like
Mr. Palmer's-the best, indeed. today
playing ON American soil-giving su'
perb performances in handsome new
theater, before empty chairs, despite
the fact that the admission price was
lower than Scrantonians pay when
they witness the same company in tho
metropolis Laying aside for the mo-
ment, all questions OF artistic axcel-
lence, and putting the subject Oh tn
low plane of mere commercial bar
gain. those persons in our own city
who would have attended this class Of
amusement in New York or Phil
adelphia aud thought nothing
of paying double the price OF
admission that was charged last Friday
and Saturday exhibited bluntsd sense
OF business shrewduess when they neg
lected the superior opportunity offered
to them, at reduced cost at their own
doors We dislike to speak of such a
subject from this point Of view; but
the issue has been raised and can bs
none the worse for plain speaking.
Manager Burgunder. in the competing
theater, long ago encountered the same
difficulty; and while hs has at times
consented to suffer pecuuiary loss in
order that the limited number of local
thester patrons who really enjoy the
drama in its highest exhibitions might
receive something worthy of their at-
teution, he has literally been CON
PEELED, as any businsssliks manager
will in tue long run be compelled to
adapt the grade of his attractions to
the j. vel OF the audiences that make
his catering profitable.
Il jars upon Us to bs forced upon oc-
c.si.us to confess that there is an alto
gether unpleasant fraction Of truth in
the satircal flags which Scranton
from time 90 time receives b.cau'e OK
the comparatively limited uumDsr Of
orr citizens who spem really to care
for srt iu any diyuid.i manifestation
in psiauu-. ias brush which Is RIOS,
lavish with lis colug5 aud gr0t asqu- in
il Dimensions is quite as likely 20 win
local vor, provided it be sglhc emily
"uuumsd, ss one which has rarity Of
expression aud finely molula,sd taste.
L. music, how oft have we been
fl cod by souorous advsnturers,
possessing small sbilidss male seem.
iugly large by unlimited cheek And
when has there bsen tims that a Cor
b-tt or q dog fight would not attract 10
our places Of public assmn,tgs
larger congregation so would greet
Booth or appreciate tn, eloqu-nce o.
Phillips or q Cuauuiu-3 W1ul tho
lecture. as an Independent insti u'ion
VI culture, unsupported bY sons local
socigl or religious aid, rsmunerat- ia.
company which should contract 70
furnish the Illuminating gas or srfIlre
10 pay the salary Of the tick sei,.rl
In what other community Of equl
siza, possessing our wealth, enterprise
and sublime ability 20 achieve material
wonders is there such an occasional
lack Of public encouragement for those
agencies that make for culture2
1, is not often that The TRIBUNE in
dulges in the language OF gloom /,
too thoroughly likes to look on tno
bright side OF things But there is such
danger ss iudiscriminate optimism.
The defedt which is deliberately IL.
nored becomes in time a fixed fault aud
finally bafilas correction. We frankly
confess that we are sometimes sorsly
vexed to see deserving efforts to eu
courage tue cultivation Of loftier
standards laughed at or ignored. When,
in dramatic way, the most capable
companies in the mimetic profession
are locally welcomed by empty
benches while the proficient aero
bat or the notorious brussr carries
the favor Of our people by storm, what
conclusion can one reach that is not
uncomp'imsntary to the local public2
Perhaps it may be argued in extsnua-
ton that as community Scranton is
young. Perhaps it may bo said that
we shall grow into ripper culture
when we shall have experienced more
Of the mellowing Influence Of time.
Conceding all this, where does It leave
the Scrantonian Of today? Must he sit
still and grow grey-heaied until cul.
ture shall overtake aud force itself
upon him2