The sun., 1903-12-13
NEGRO ACTORS SHUT OUT.
COLOR LINE DRAWN NOW IN
THEATRES IN THE SOUTH.

VCtn uuu VuNV NOupshSo pU 'Ne~N
Separate Theatres for Negroes
Wanted-Separation OF the Races.
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. l2.-Another step
has been taken in the separation Of the
races in the South by the decision Of Klaw d
Erlanger, the theatrical managers to book
no more negro theatrical companies for the
South.
Heretofore they have been playing
number Of these companies in the leading
Southern cities and the ventures have been
very profitable.
There were three negro companies booked
for the season at New Orleans. One OF the
companies giving The Smart Set, played at
the Crescent Theatre in November. 1t was
the excitement caused by the appearance of
that troupe, and the loud protests against
1t on the part OF the whites, that led 10 the
decision by Klaw 4 Erlanger to shut negro
actors and actresses out from the South
In future.
The contracts with the other negro COM
panies which were to have come here during
the winter have been cancelled and they
will be played in towns north Of the Ohio
and Potomac. Klaw Erlanger announce
that In Difference to Southern sentiment
emanating mainly and most forcibly from
New Orleans, they have abandoned the
black drama
Heretofore the appearance of negro
troupes In Southern cities has been great
event among the colored people, who are
enthusiastic admirers Of the thespian art
and especially Of minstrel shows. Nothing
can exceed the roars Of African laughter
that greet the joke; and in the melodrama
the great problem is to restrain the en-
thusiasm and indignation Of the audience,
which Is always certain to contain several
negroes eager to punish the villain, or say
a good word for the hero when In tight
place.
It is however when the troupe Is black
like themselves, that the negroes become
most enthusiastic, and the appearance
of these troupes here have been the big
social event OF the season among the negro
population In such events usually the
entire theatre, except the parquet is
thrown open to the negroes. There Is
always standing room only in the negro
section. and the engagement has un-
doubtedly been profitable.
Last season there were many protests,
particularly in the smaller towns like Baton
Rouge and vicksburg, against these negro
troupes, and they we're roundl denounced
by the Baton Rouge Advocate, the official
paper of the State OF Louisiana. 1t was
stated that the engagement Of one Of these
troupes in Baton Rouge had con pletely
demo allied the negro population of the
city, that not only was there no washing
done and no cooking during the stay Of the
troupe, but that all industries in which
negroes we're eng ged had suffered that
the company had attracted tie country
negroes to town and had led to great deal
of impudence.
Baton Rouge was not strong enough to
stop the negro drama. When. however.
"The Smart Set company came to New
Orleans this season, it was met with pro-
test 80 vigorous as to command general
attention.
peared at the Crescent Theatre. which
is given up to the whites ordinarily, but
which during the negro engagements is
divided as follows, the gallery and balcony
for the negroes and the parquet or orchestra
for the whites. Even before the company
arrived there were protests against this
mixing of the races and Of having the Cres-
cent Theatre white one week and black
the next. The newspapers were unanimous
In condemning the system and demanding
that there be complete separation Of the
races They suggested that II the negroes
wanted the drama, negro theatre should
be provided for them,
The engagement was a remarkable one.
The parquet, with its 100 or 800 seats
reserved for the whites, did not average
ten persons a performance. while the gal
lery and balcony were crowded to suffo-
cation.
The whites showed their disapproval Of
the arrangement by keeping away from
the theatre. This rather pleased the man.
agement as fears were entertained that
there might be number Of whites presen
who would show their dsapproval of the
performance in such way as o lead to race
troubles.
The experience was sufficient to satisfy
Klaw l. Erlanger that 1t was III advised
to play negro troupes in the South just now,
when race prejudices are 80 strong. All
engagements of the kind were, therefore,
cancelled, and it was announced that no
negro troupes will be brought South until
the present sentiment blows over.
The indications are that it will not blow
over On the contrary, the belief is grow
ing stronger in the Southwest that the best
solution of the negro question, or rather
the establishment Of modus vivendi
under existing conditions, calls for the
separation and segregation Of the races.
This plan, it is asserted by the whites,
resulted most favorably, reducing racial
friction and race riots or disturbances. In
New Orleans, where 1t has been carried
further than perhaps anywhere else. and
where only few years ago there was in
tense race bitterness and prejudice, there
is practically no trouble OF any kind to-day.
The proposition that if the races are
kept apart there can be no friction is,
it is asserted. thoroughly proved by practise,
and it ia further asserted that the negroes
will have nothing to complain of if they
have the same advantages as the whites
but are kept separated from them.
Thus, not only are the schools for black
and white separate. but the asylums, hos
pitals and prisons, the churches, hotels,
barrooms, restaurants, and even the parks
and public places. The races travel in
separate cars, and even on the street cars
in separate sections.
Heretofore the negro has been admitted
to some of the theatres not to all; but the
demand is made for separate theatres
I,, tho Lob Ill