New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-19
AGAIN THE TAINTED DRAMA.

AT the beginning OF the regular season OF 1906 06.
Notwithstanding some indications OF impending
recurrence 10 dramatic art Z means OF Inspiring
and rewarding public interest. there was promise
OF al abundance OF the pUtIsscent strong meat
that tbs playgOtns community is continually said
% ike. and continually Is urged 10 consume as
nutritious theatrical sustenance! and, as the sea-
son advanced. that promise amply fulfilled.
NoE opening OF the regular OF 56~0I.
there are indications that the supply Of the
commodity viii be copious ard foul a few OF the
managers promise well: but theatre is still
largely in the clutches Of huCksters. bent ap
pealing 70 the lower instincts OF the mob Il keep
= department store" says me buttonmazeE, and
must give the people what they want" II Is the
old story. The people" OF course. want 10th
ing but pictures OF vice and commonplace twaddle
about virtue; and, equally OF course. Is the prov
ince OF the grocery theatrical speouIator to
safeguard tho public morals By teaching" through
the medium OF the frightful example that The
wages Of sin is death"
The willy indirection of theatrical hum5ug would
be amusing but FOR the etfrontsEy thar Is COM
mingled with II. The pedlers OF theatrical punk
very well know thai they Offering q tainted
article and therefore they loud IN protestation
OF "a good moral purpose in the vending OF their
mclean merchandise. Vices exist they declare
as II that were q novel disclosure bad deeds are
done: bad men and women abound: and so forth.
10 doubt society s afflicted with disease In many
DasnfuI and obDOxiOus forms; but sociology Is the
-,,a- subject for philosopher aud statesman no
I
body has asked the Stage 70 extirpats social evils
ga 4, is high time that the theatrical scavsnger
b,,la he made 70 understand that his labors are
-, ,yanted-that the fact OF putrescence Is no tus-
,,sca,ion for display OF It in the theatre. Il Is
$50 as recently alleged by OF the enthusiasts
:, che late Mr. Ibsen-that disease must be known
$50 A. can be treated: but there physicians:
- ,ba theatre is not the proper place for tho
| ,,,.,z or treatment % ulcers. whether physical
- or social The province OF the stage Il the
,.-.-atto, OF art and beauty. and II Is q shame
-. :, sbould ever be perverted to the service OF
a,ttn- else: It is a shame that IT should ever be
saso5 nv the presentment OF such stun as
C,1'as,s,. and ''Hedda GahleT." Iris and '8Irs.
.. Won cannot deluge thu human mind
"a - - three hours with the Shiny details OF
s.-.,.,.,, disease and crime, and then purity it
- = I,,,le souib % moral preeeDa
| r., -.-ert dramatic season has started with
| - E--f+os 9" a story OF horid didacticisn,
-. a-,a,ory incontinence; His House in Order %
/ ; 80 ~ iuhdellty IN marriage. and the eonse-
| ~ .t.r.of ara two versions OF The Kreut-
- go, >. n story OF depravty adultery. dis
/ ease madness and murder there are OF course
! orber rI,vs and clean ones; but those dramas OF
csrrai nassiou and misery are the conspicuous feat
mes - the moment IN OIr theatTe. muse are the
| niavs sor which attention las been especially
claimed. and upon which II hs- ,bsm7 Ss s Dc. Do
slowed. Who l. the batter f's ls'N' S-iAe