Omaha daily bee., 1907-03-17
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t Joy is experienced when a re-
k3k pentant sinner returns than over
IdGhRoI ninety and nine who never went
G&4S "a-kenning wrang." Probably;
and while we have also the example OF the
good old father who killed the fatted calf,
It ia not recorded In either instance that
the contrite one is set on a pedestal OF
surrounded with any especial sanctity, Just
because Of the announced desertion Of ways
that are evil Il has remained for the
modern theatrical manager to exploit
crime and exhibit criminals as a source
Of profit. In other times this column has
expressed some very plain sentiments on
this topic. It is desired here and now to
reiterate oil that has ever been said on
the point, and II possible with added
emphasis. The theater is a part Of the
social life Of the American people, and
as such Il should be guarded with such
jealousy OF its good name as will keep it
free to the uttermost limit Of faint from
unworthy plays OF equally unworthy play
ers. This much Is due to the public from
the managers, and the man who DELHI
erately steps aside from this, and for the
sake Of a few paltry dollars offers as a play
an account OF notorious crimes or as
player a notorious criminal, insults the
public and the profession as well. and de-
serves the most severe apprehension.
When Nan Patterson was liberated after
two juries had disagreed as to her guilt
in connection with the murder Of Caesar
Young, an effort was made to put her on
the stage. It had been proven on the
trial that she was not an actor; that her
connection with the stage was no greater
than a limited experience as a SHOW girl"
I'm a musical comedy production; that she
had openly and VIGOROUSLY consorted with
men, and with the man she had been ac-
oused of numbering, although she knew
he wns married and had a wife living
With this malodorous record. she was put
forth as the star of a play that dealt
with her own life. The venture came TO
merited end in failure, but one hysterical
writer. descanting on the facts through the
columns of a western yellow journal said
that If Nan Patterson were driven to q
life OF shame, her downfall would be
ohargeable to American women who re-
fused to patronize the theater at which
she was being exhibited. How such a dis.
eased view Of the case could be formed
ds beyond conjecture. Nan Patterson had
fallen long before she offered herself as
an actress. The womanhood OF America
is keenly alert and vigorously active ir
the work OF retaining fallen women. TIL,
sister who has stepped aside and wants tC
be lifted up to responsibility again is giver
all assistance but she is not paraded OF
the stage No effort IS spared to enable
her 20 earn an honest livelihood In any o
the many ways open to her. All Of thes,
were open TO Nan Patterson, but one o
her defenders at least insisted that sht
was fitted only for performance in public
in the role Of a prosecuted and abused
woman.
Somewhat similar is the excuse offere
for Pat Grove In his endeavor Is max
himself an actor. Grove was a butche
once, and is said to have been a good mea
cutter He was trusted by his employers
and at one time had charge of a reta
shop, where he had at least a living wag
and chance for further advancement. II
could not contend himself with homes
ways, and, according to his own admission
robbed his employer by petty pilfering
from the till. Step after step he pre-
crossed along the road TO crime until b
is now in the very apex of his career q
the most notorious of American criminal
He processes to want to start life over an
start right, but at no place in his schem
for doing this does the factor of work al
pear He has tried a number OF way
since the miscarriage or justice IN
Omaha court set him free to obtain none
but none OF them eliminates the exploits
ton OF his undesirable personality in 4
worst phase. II Grove sincerely desires
live as a respectable citizen, he shou
efface himself entirely, and by quiet
working at his trade or some similar VOC
ton, enable the world at large to forg
that he ever existed. BY doing this !
would render some little service to a publ
he has so long menaced as "A dangero'
criminal. 1t is the least he could do.
But Nan Patterson nor Pat Grove is n
so culpable in this regard as are the ma
ayers who, for the sake of the mon,
that may be secured from a morbid publ
deliberately parade individuals whose on
recommendations comes from the obloq'
that has been heaped upon them throul
connection with crime Many charges ha
been alleged against the American theat'
but this is the worst, and It is the mo
damaging because of its truth. Some d
Tense can be framed for nearly, If not