The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-17
HEATHER SACRED CONCERT.
CIRCUS POSTER DUDS, GONGS AND
THE SONGS or CATS.


DuRy Knew II Violated Law in Several
DeErees-Puiled Tourists Friend NJ
Chinese Theatre Captains Order
Didn't Go In Court Prisoners Did.
Policeman Pat Duffy Of the Elizabeth
street station house roamed through China
town Sunday night looking for violators
of the law of the land. He strolled past
look outs and past transoms which let out
the clatter Of the fan-tan chips and entered
Doyers street. From the theatre came
the bang of a four foot gong and a singing
az Of cats. Policeman Duffy put his finger
to one side Of his nose and an expression
of deep craft undulated over his features.
He had found a violation of the law.
Duffy entered the theatre. -Four Chinese
gentlemen in clothes like a circus poster
we're dancing around a Chinese near-lady.
II was a theatrical show in costume, n
heather violation Of the Sunday law.
"Ye're arrested" said Duffy to Bill Cava-
naugh, the doorkeeper, manager and friend
Of the tourist.
What for?" asked Bill.
Never mind what for" said Duffy. Il
cud jerk We for all the crimes in the book
av | wanted to. It's a disturbance ye're
adm an abettin'. Ills almost assault
an battery, an takin' money, for it ia high
way robbery. But III let we of with vio-
latin the Sunda' ordnance agin the peace
an dignity av the people of New York"
And Bill Cavanaugh was led to the sta
ton house, where the theatre gave bail.
Cavanaugh was in the Tombs court before
Magistrate Wahle yesterday morning.
What was the nature Of the perform
ance?" asked the Magistrate.
"Savin' the Coot.n said Duly, I'm
biler fac'thry an more like a Yiddish argu-
ment and somethin' like a wake. But
he says twas a show, an so pulled it." ,
"Do you understand Chinese?' asked
C~avanaugh's attorney: .,
FL do not, " said duffy with dignity. DO
ye understand Flip"
Then, 4" said the attorney, how do you
know that it wasn't a sacred concert in
the meaning OF the law? l submit, your
Honor, that the theatre is part Of the theology
of this peculiar people
"They wore coshtumes, " said Duffy, catch
ing the drift. "Scandalous. loud costumes,
yer Honor. 1t wasn't sacred, because they
were bangin' each other with sticks, an 1t
wasn't a concert because it wasn't music.
Twas as il a man was cryin' drunk in a
tin store. When it wasn't that the fat
chink would belt the slim chink an let out
a squat like a cat in misery. That amt
| music. That's murdher. An, besides,
they wore coshtumes. 1t wasn't ordinary
street attire under the meanin Of the law. v
How do you know that these weren't
ordinary street ~costumes?" asked the legal
adviser of Bill C~avanaugh.
How do ] now that II wasn't music?''
said Duffy. Vic me eyes an ears an
feet"
y submit, your Honor, said the attorney,
"that such costumes are the ordinary street
attire OF gentlemen in Canton and Pekin
They would attract no attention II worn
on Mott street.
"Nayther wud murdher. suicide or lynch
in" said Duffy. "Ye can't astonish those
people. But it wasn't sacred, yer Honor,
an 1t wasn't a concert. Therefore it was
a show"
How do you know it was a show and not
a lecture, a physical culture contest or a
dressmaker's exhibit? ?" asked the Magistrate.
Because said Duffy, -.ye cud zee by
their faces they were enjyin' themselves" ,
do you really know what you arrested
this man for?" asked the Court.
Il do" said Duffy. First, they were
"vi'latin' the law. Second, somebody had
to be arrested. Third, he was the man to
arrest. Fourth, if I'd arrested a chink
he'd got off on lynn testimony, an, fifth,
the captain told me to
Case dismissed" said the Magistrate
to Duffy.
Well, don't do it again" said Duffy to
Cavanaugh.