The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1912-03-01
TO THE PUBLIC.
FRIDAY, MARCH I, 1912.
The Majestic Theater.


opportunity this week to prove to the
world whether or not their clamor
for all these years for first-class the
atrical accommodations has been been
true or merely a superficial fancy.
The Smart Set which was at the Ma
jestic Theater from Monday until
Thursday should command the best
patronage of any community. This
show has travelled extensively. IT.
has not been in Nashville before be-
cause the white theater managers
will not give the colored people de
cent accommodations; but now since
the completion of the New Majestic
this company can come here regular
ly, and it will come if the people
will support it. What is true OF
this first-class show is true of others.
No one has been heard to say a sim
gle word disparagingly of the Smart
Set Company. Instead, on every
hand the highest praise is heard;
but the patronage has not been what
was expected Of Nashville. 1t was
thought that every performance
would draw full house and especial
ly at night; but instead there has
not been a single crowded house al
either Of the six performances. Some
have said that the prices are too
high, but this show charges much
higher prices in other cities than
was charged in Nashville.
Negroes here have been complain
ing for years about places of amuse-
ment where thty could go, sit down
in any seat in he house and feel
that they are absolutely free to en-
Joy the evenings pleasure; but when
they refuse to patronize such shows
as the Smart Set, given In theater
erected and owned by a Negro and
where Negroes have access to every
part of the house, it does not appear
that this complaining has been sin
cere. Things that are worth having
cannot be secured for a penny, and
If the Negroes of Nashville want a
theater where they can go and be
treated as people anr witness per
formances by members of their race
of a high order, they must make VI
their minds to pay for the same.
Negroes have been known to pay a
dollar to go in a peanut gallery In
Nashville, and they murmured not q
word, and it is asking too much of
any man to invest his money in g
building and then furnish high-clast
amusements for the people for 81
cents admission. True Negroes car
not support such a play every week
neither can the white people of thii
city; but 1t is reasonable to expec
that the Negroes of Nashville viii
give liberal support to a few frs;
class shows during a theatrical sea
son.
There is no excuse now for Negroe
going in peanut galleries to see plays
For the Smart Set show is by ia
superior to any show that has bee
put on in this city this season. w
make this statement on the assel
tons Of the people who have fro
quently visited the other theater
and who have also seen the Smar
Set. They say the show at the Mf
jestic is the best they have seen. w
admit we are not in a position
make a comparison, having only see
one side of it; but knowing the repl
tation of the Smart Set Company, W
have no hesitancy in saying that
ranks among the best on the stag
to'o1 The Globe has the utmoe
confidence in the people Of Nashvill
and believe they will finally awake
to the sense Of their duty and Civ
fire patronage to this magnifcer
playhouse erected at an enormous g,
pense by one of Nashville's leadin
Negro men.
The National Negro Press Associ
tion at its last meeting In Littl