The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-01-24
UNIQUE CAMPAIGN WORK
Political Proselyiing to Be Accom-
plished by a Play.
Free silver Leaders Interested in
the Production o1 "ihe
Curse OF Gold"

An important theatrical enterprise
fs about to be launched from this city.
The .ay is semi itical in character,
and is expected by its projectors to
accomplish a great work Of education
as well as amusement among the plain
people in a word. i is described as a
political CAMPAIGN document carrying
its message in human embodiment
with scenic accessories and semidra-
matte effects to the thinking people,
and the working people. and mankind
in general throughout the land.
The free silver Democratic party is
its foster parent, and the play. under
the name Of The Curse Of Gold" is
soon To see the light. The American
Drama Company has been chartered
under the laws Of the State OF Virginia,
for the purpose Of producing this and
other American plays, all designed, the
company states, Ito expose evil in high
places and to show the American peo-
pie trust methods, the expressions by
corporations. lobby ing at the National
capitol, bribery in elections, and every
species Of coercion which today STILES
of America"
The drama is the work Of a writer
connected at present In an editorial
capacity with local newspaper. He
has written a number of plays and is
conversant with the mechanism Of the
stage.
1t is the hope of its sponsors that,
politically, it viii be another Uncle
Toms Cabin" in its effect upon the
masses. The design of the political
managers back OF il is, they say. that
il shall accomplish what cannot be
done to any great extent by the usual
campaign literature; which is to ar
rest the attention Of the people; TO en-
list sympathy and stir up patriotic ef-
fort in behalf of The wide spread move
ment in the Democratic party; 10 threw
off the grasp of the English Shylocks;
TO cut the tentacles OF the octopus
money power. to check the growth Of
oppVessing combinations OF capitalists;
to stop the tyrannOus government by
injunction, and to rally American man,
hood around the flag Of Washington,
jefferson and Fre>dom
Ii is stated that il has been submitted
to the keenest criticism on the part
Of the most intelligent minds in the
Democratic party, and all those who
favor the cause of free silver and hon
est Government are united in accord
ing it the most enthusiastic praise and
the greatest anticipation Of its success.
not only as a campaign document for
the Democratic cause, but as a IMAM
cial exploit.
Senator Jones has heard the play, and
has given it his warmest approval He
found that It is not only true politically
but that practically it is calculated TO
arouse sympathy because Of its intense
heart interest and natural construction.
He believes that il will serve not only
as an educator, but that the free silver
labor people. in fact all who desire
honest government and pure political
principles. viii herald it with applause
Senator Stewart tersely remarked
that the people could not be kept away
from it," although he apprehends
that the money power viii make a des-
perate effort to throttle it.
Senator Allen, while disclaiming 8
connection with the Democrats, has
stated to all who have asked him that
he considers it a wonderful play. which
viii receive large financial returns and
accomplish a popularity which VIII
serve the best interests of the free sill
Yer cause.
Representative McAfillin. the nearest
friend az Bryan in Congress. enthusi-
atically predicts that ii will fall like
an avalanche upon the money power.
the election OF Mn. Bryan as President
than any other effort the Democrats
may make.
Samuel Gompers. president Of the
American Federation of Labor. has
heard it. and he states that labor men.
without regard to affiliations. factions
or internal differences. VIII rally around
It all over the country as the greatest
eNl, neGt of their principles and pur-
poses
The expectation that the people ev-
erywhere viii receive it in the warmest
way is based entirely on the feeling 1t
has provoked In those who have heard
the play as read. simply and fleet
edly by the author, to gatherings OF
from TO 50. during the past few
months.
The lesdin" spiIits in the Democratic
National Committee. the Democratic
clubs and the Congressional Committee
are personally, but not officially. en-
couragers of the enterprise. and viii
lend il every assistance in their power.
The company viii undertake the pro-
duction Of the play as early now as pos
sible. Already & number Of theateTs
have bid for the privilege Of presenting
it in the large cities. 1t is the inten-
ton TO equip il with the very best ac-
tors and actresses to be obtained. with
handsome scenery that shall accurately
portray the scenes in life. and i'm every
respect the production will be
first class Only the popu-
'ar-prieed theaters however.
VIII be asked to receive it. as it
is the desire OF the company to place
IL directly among the masses, who. il
--------