The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-13
PIOUs MEN OF OTHER DAYS.
Action of Congress Concerning Publi
officials Attending Theaters.
Washington Special to Chicago Record.

w dSLilStOH SPECTRAL " 1IiCdSO TtcCOIQ.
Mr.. J. H. McVicker asks further in
formation about a paragraph l printed
some months ago concerning resolutions
Gals to attend the theater. There were
two resolutions of this kind passed by the
Continental Congress in IT'S, The first was
introduced Oct. u, and read as follows:
Whereas, True religion and good morals
are the only sound foundation of public
RESOLVED. That it be and is hereby
earnestly recommended to the several
for the encouragement thereof and for the
suppression of theatrical entertainments,
horse racing, gaming and such other d.
versions as are productive of idleness, dis
sipation and a general depravity of prin-
cioles and manners.
Resolved. That all officers In the army
OF the United States be and they hereby are
strictly enjoined to see that the good and
wholesome rules provided for the discount
tenancing OF profaneresS and vice and the
preservation of morals among the soldiers
are duly and punctually observed"
The yeas and nays having been called on
its passage, New Hampshire, Massachu-
sets Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut. New
York. New Jersey. Delaware, Maryland,
voted i'll the affirmative. North Carolina
voted no and Virginia was divided evenly.
In those days the states voted as a unit.
according to the preferences of a majority
of their representatives. These resolutions
appear to have been suggested by some
the c~ourt-martial of Gen. Philip Schuyler,
although he was not charged with immor-
aElIy 4 cOfIlIiidIucu lie VI NtW
York. with his headquarters at Albany, and
was the victim of the Jealousy of General
Gates and other revolutionary officers of
high rank. They accused him of being an
aristocrat, and of various indulgences in
luxury and vanity which some of his fell
low-officers could not afford to enjoy; and 1t
may be, although it does not appear, that
he was also charged with permitting a lack
of moral discipline among his soldiers.
1t is another coincidence that Immediately
after the consideration of the Schuyler case
on Oct. is, IT'S, the following resolution
-yna offArnI onI nhnnfnds
Whereas. frsquenting playhouses and
theatrical entertainments has a fatal ten
dency to divert the minds OF the people
sary for the defense of their country and
the preservation Of their liberties, there
"Resolved. that any person holding an
office under the United States who shall
plays shall be deemed unworthy to hold
such office and shall be accordingly dis
missed"
except New York, Virginia. North Carolina
and Georgia. The Continental Congress was
KIND dns wh hsnes Of t Rass spirit [en moved Or 0p wh snas
ever anything suggested the propriety or
NECESSITY cess of Of such action and It Is therefore
closure or an accusation that General
Schuyler neglected his military duties for
his gay and wealthy friends of the Albany
aristocracy, of attending theatrical enter
ever. and acquitted, but he at once rendered
his resignation as major-general of the army
and was soon after elected TO Congress.
But Washington went to the theater. Will
liam McLay, who was one Of the first Sem
ators from PENNSYLVANIA, writes in his
| diary, May 10, 1873, as follows:
81 received a ticket from the President OF
the United States to use his box this even
ing at the theater, being the first of his
appearance at the playhouse since his en-
terIng on his office. Went.
"The President, Governor of the State
foreign ministers, Senators from New
Hampshire, Connecticut, Pennsylvania
Maryland and South Carolina and some
ladies in the same box. / am old and
notices or attentions are lost on me-.
could have wished some OF my dear children
in my place. They are young and would
have enjoyed it. Long might one of then
live to boast of their having been seated
In the same box with the first character
In the world. The play was the School fol
Scandal / never liked it. Indeed. / think
IL an indecent representation before ladies
of character and virtue Farce. The OLD
Soldier The house greatly crowded and
thought the players acted well, but
wish we had seen The Conscious Lovers
or some play that inculcated prudential
manners