The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-22
FOR PLAYING "SAPHO"
OLGA NETHERSOLE, THE ACTRESS,
AND OTHERS ARRESTED.
Charged with Offending Public De-
cency-Result Of an Attack by
the Pulpit and Press.

NEW YORK, Feb. H.-On q warrant
charging her with offending public de-
cency, Olga Nethersole, the actress. was
arrested this afternoon and made to ap-
pear in the Center-street Police Court She
was paroled in the custody of her counsel
and the case set for hearing on Friday
morning.
The arrest is the elimination of the at
tack upon and denunciation of "Sapho."
Clyde Fitchs play, now being produced by
Miss Nethersole at Wallack's Theater. The
play is a stage adaptation of Alphonse
Daudet's novel of 'Sapho." The attack
seemed to come from all directions. the
play being denounced by pulpit and press
With Miss Nethersole were arrested on
the same charge Hamilton Revelle. her
leading actor. and Marcus Mayer. her man.
ager. warrant was issued for the ar
rest of Theodore Moss, proprietor of WAL
lacks, but as Mr. Ross was i'll. Charles
Burnham, the manager of the theater, ap-
peared in the Police Court in his stead as
representative of the playhouse.
The warrants for the arrest of the four
persons principally concerned in the pro-
duction were issued early in the day by
Magistrate Mott, on information of Dis
trict Attorney Gardiner. based upon the
complaint of Mackay, a newspaper reporter.
The complaint sets forth that the play is
1.-The portrayal of the life of lewd and
dissolute woman in way to offend public
decency" District Attorney Gardiner, in
his request that a warrant be issued, al
leges that "In a dramatic performance en-
titled 'Sapho.' indecent postures. indecent
Suggestive language against good morals
and indecent conduct have been portrayed
before public audiences"
The provision under which the warrant
was issued is Section 3S5. Subdivision 2, Of
the penal code. applying to public nuisance.
which is a misdeameanor and Is punish
able by Imprisonment in the penitentiary
for one year or fine of $500 or both.
Miss Nethersole was arrested at the Hoff-
man House by Inspector Thompson and
taken directly to the Center-street Police
Court. She was evidently greatly worried.
but soon overcame her nervousness. At
the dictation of her counsel she said in
answer to the complaint: II have COM
mitted no offense against the good morals
or the law of this or any other country. I
especially demand to know the source of
this attack upon me and my propriety.
The court cannot order a too speedy in
vestigation."
AT the request of Miss Nethersole's coun-
sci the hearing was set for Friday morn
ing without objection by the district at
torney's representatives After this matter
was settled Chief of Police Devery stated
emphatically that he would not interfere
with the performance of ''Sapho' tonight
or until the case had come up for hearing
and had been disposed of. The play was
presented tonight.
In a recent contribution to New York
paper Olga Nethersole said that women
were in the majority at her matinee per-
formances of "Sapho," and she argued
from this that the play was not immoral
She adds:"Women see all that is good in
life; men only try to see that which Is bad
All the abuse 1 have had since L started
to produce "Sapho' has come from men
and was started by those who are sup
posed to be the best of men-ministers."