The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-03-27
the stage In conversation with Her

the stage. In conversation with Her
aid reporter last evening she said:
And why should not women act in
the capacity of advance representative
of an opera company? There are 10
more obstacles to overcome in that line
than in any other she may attempt.
Her work would bring her into direct
contact with the cultured. witty, brainy
men who control the great influencing.
medium of the world, the press. What
more elevating, more inspiring or more
educating than an hours conversation
with the bright minds that rule the
editorial rooms of a great newspaper!
1t is not necessary that she dwell
entirely UPON the subject of her visit.
Viz, the members of the company. If
she is diplomatic, she will have her no
tees or announcements all prepared,
cuts marked for each issue of the Ia
per, and then interest her entertainer
by referring to subjects most directly
connected with local affairs, in which
he must naturally be interested.
1T has always been thought that
only men of free bohemian habits
could fill the position of advance rep
resentative, for the reason they are
supposed to entertain literally and be
hail-fellow-well-met with their bo-
hemian friends of the press. But that
is fallacy fast falling into disbelief.
Although do not know of any other
woman who has ever done press work
in the line of my particular efforts. yet
there are many much more
capable than of filing the
columns of the newspaper with
interesting statements concerning
the personality of the artists in whom
they are interested. 1t is my belief that
advance press work is a line in which
al
sphere for liberal and witty Thought;
but the inconvenience of the hours. the
travelling alone. would be obstacles diff
ficult to make congenial to many med
est, refined and retiring women, and
mannish woman would never answer.
The editorial doors would be closed to
her sharp demands in quick order.
You know we of the weaker sex are
supposed to indulge only in interesting
gossip, to be influenced too much by
personal feelings pro or con, but 1 do
not think our opinion could be biased
or bought, especially if a woman enter
ed the sphere of advance representative
work with an intelligent purpose to be
just to all. To fill this position, how
ever, even half successfully it is neces-
sary to be educated to think, to be
tolerant, fair-minded and liberal
You know Elizabeth Cady Stanton
says the new woman is a fad of the
day. of course, every new enterprise
into which woman branches out must
necessarily bring her into conspicuous
prominence, particularly if she is ply
sically and mentally strong, cultured
and refined, yet possessing ambition
and firm determination to succeed as
press representative, and 1 am sure her
quiet, strong, honest personality must
command for her the respect and ad-
of intelligent mankind These
personal attributes the new era woman,
or the woman of the past era, must
possess to succeed in any occupation.
and the work of advance representative
of an opera company is no more irk-
some or arduous than many others.
For me, however, this is quite a new
departure, and 1 am not accustomed
to see my name in print. Certainly I
have written for the press, and the
editors have treated me generously.
during the life of Emma
Abbott l handled the press work alone
for five seasons, but you see 1 was
only the silent worker then and was
happy to keep my light under a bushel
But in the last two seasons Mr.. Pratt
has had too much responsibility for
him to give his entire attention to the
work in advance and has therefore
pushed me to the front 1t is said men
are all the time helping women to be
just and liberal, and I
owe to my husband all my practical
knowledge and business-like go-ahead
way of accomplishing my work in
short order.
Yes, you see in my capacity of press
agent as you call it. l have the right
to be enthusiastic over the artists of
my husbands company and if you
want to hear a brilliant singer. one
who understands rendering the fiorid
music of Lucia you must go tonight
and hear Tavary, and hear also the
greatest of all tenors, Chevalier Guile,
the little French tenor, and our other
good artists
Mrs. Pratt will remain in Salt Lake
until Saturday or Sunday, after which
she will leave with the company for
Denver.
Now promise me- she said. as the
reporter said good night that you
will not cut out a line of my tribute to
the press