The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-12

Olga Nethersole has won in the New
York courts ana the salaclous play OF
s'sapho." as Interpreted by charming
actress in the leading role. is triumph
ant
In the meantime "sapho" has passed
into the judicial history OF the day, been
declared not immoral and Miss Nethersole
advertised to the uttermost dominion OF
newspaperdom. But others than Miss
Nethersole and her management will reap,
and have reaped, harvest OF ducats from
the notoriety accorded by the court pro-
ceedngs to threatened and badgered
"sapho." These are the publishers of the
book out Of which the play has been mined
by the delvlng playwright. The story had
been read and had passed out OF current
literary demand. when the officers OF the
law and the conservators OF New York
morals prompted to spasmodic activity by
the pharisatcal screech OF a couple Of
New York newspapers, concluded to yank
"sapho" and Its delincators before the
avenging courts.
'Sapho" is not SO bad in the story as In
its suggestive presentation 1t was this
presentation that was hurtful to the public
morals and in which was Witnessed the
debasenlent OF Miss Nethersole's genius.
Hundreds Of dramas equally as democrat
izing, and Just as contributory TO deprayed
tastes have been permitted to run season
after season in Now York, to the limit OF
safety, without protest from press or
public, This is not solely true of New
York, but of every other city throughout
sountry. The New York newspaper
EFT upon Nethersole and "Sapho' was
Ups both timely and correct. but tho
her is that its indignation was so long
dag expression against that sort OF
III and why so many preceding pre-
sentations of corrupting kind had failed
to stimulate righteous protest.
No one is surprised that the verdict OF
the criminal court was that Miss Neither
sole and her co-defendants were not guilty
OF violation of the penal code-that
'Sapho was not an offeuse to public
decency." On the trial before the police
magistrates court witnesses were allowed
to testify as to opinions and Impressions OF
the play and Miss MEMBERSHIPS interpreta-
tion. No such latitude is permitted In n
Jury trial. Witnesses must there conhne
themselves to facts. Impressions are not
evidence, and ought not to be- No blame
can. therefore, attach to court or fury In
disposing Of the case as they did. not
understanding both may have entertained
impressions which, II allowed to control,
might have resulted in different re-
suit
The jury's verdict, however," remarks
a contemporary. will be regretted, not
because 1t enables Miss Nethersole 10
escape punishment--for nobody wishes her
lll--but because It viii encourage tho
puryeyors OF the immoral drama to pros.
ecute their harmful enterprises with In.
creased zeal and cupidity We presume
that Miss Nethersole is now at liberty
SO far as the law is concerned to resum,
her noble mission OF eievatng publi,
morals by portraying the vagaries OF
vulgar strumpet; and tits also to be ex
pected that new 'sapho' companies will
spring up like mnshrooms all over tn,
country. But this depiorable reaction will
only hasten the time when public opinion
which. in thel main. is sound 70 the cove
will make itself felt In an amendmen
and strengthening OF the law relating /
immoral stage productions