The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-27

ously. the ideas of this Government have
always been against substituting any art,
and, with appropriate understanding and
appreciation of Mr.. Berry's meaning. II
might be suggested that the theater IN
this country is quite able to take care
of itself Wholesome humOr does no
harm and an epidemic of trashy matter
is sure TO bring a reaction. Then there
might be q difference OF opinion as 10
the relative merit of plays as educators.
and if Mr.. Berry VIII think moment
he will realize how easily the lives of
the committee might be made a burden
by impecunioUs and impOrtUnate au-
thors.
A play censorship is simply out of the
question and. more than that, II Is not
required one good actor does more 20
elevate the stage in a single perform
ance than all the cerisors in the world
could in q dozen years. Though Wash
ingtonians do not seem to realize the
fact ye., the greatest thing that ever
happened to the American drama oc-
Cured when Richard Mansfield adopted
the stage for a profession. When man
of that order presents the work OF the
masters. as only Mr.. Mansfield can, peO-
pie go 20 see them in numbers that
could not be gathered in any other way.
even By me enactment of laws forcing
one TO see Shakespeare. as boys are
forced abroad TO attend school. Pro-
auctions like those the masterful crea-
tor gives us cannot fail to have wonder
I ful influence, and character creations
such as his. are educations in them
selves. There is more of a moral lesson
in seeing Richard Mansfield play DIR.
Jekyl and Mr.. Hyde more of q religious
study in Witnessing a performance of
his Devils Disciple" and more of
censorship in hearing the broken SEN
fences uttered by his Baron Chevrial in
"A Partisan Romance than in any text
book yet issued, or any sermon ever
preached. The effect a man like Rich
ard Mansfield has upon public taste and
public welfare can hardly be overesi-
mated, and cannot possibly be dupli-
Gated.
Willard Hftchngson and Hal CIaren-
don, the last named Washington boy.
of more than usual cleverness. have de-
| cided to go into vaudeville and will make
their debut next month in New York
] They VIII appear in a one-act sketch.
| THE Stepping Stones" first presented
| here about three years ago. Goodwin
| Patten, another local man or considera-
! bic talent. will make his appearance
| shortly IN Charming Pollock play The
/ Honor OF a Spy"
! Thomas z. Shea. undoubtedly the best
melodramdtic actor on the stage today.
| will play a return date in this city
/ shortly. MIR. Shea broke the record OF
/ the Grand Opera House last year and
cut into his own e5,-lier in the present
! season. So large was the business that
! a return was deemed best and arrange
ments were accordingly made. Mr.. Shea
| is a careful and intelligent player with
more than remarkable ma guetism. He
| will be seen here in The Bells DIR
Jekyl and Mr.. Hyde and The Man o.
| War's-Aian.
Paul Wilstach. late dramatic editor OF
The Times. and at present acting as
press agent for Richard Mansfield reach
ed this city late last week and was i'm
mediately vanquished by a large army
Of friends. Mr.. WiIstach is not only
one of the most capable newspaper mer
ever accredited to Washington but he
is also one Of the most pleasant. He
has been doing for Mr.. Mansfield worI
of the highest quality and has succeed
ed in raising that barometer OF success.