The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1914-10-16
A GROWING EVIL THAT
NEEDS SOME CONTROL

- 0nSVJCN0 EVIL T1Ai
NEEDS SOME CONTROL.
Patrons who attended the perform
ance of "The Yellow Ticket" at the
Grand Opera House Wednesday night
witnessed the presentation of as pow
erful a play as has been their good for
tune to witness in many months.
But it is most regrettable fact
that the enjoyment of those patrons
who occupied balcony seats, and in
fact, great many in the rear on the
lower floor was marred by the rowdy
conduct of the negro patrons of the
house in the gallery. The noise from
that section of the house was at times
so loud that the patrons of the bal
cony and on the lower floor could
hardly hear the lines spoken on the
stage. Loud cries, cat-calls, and
bOisterOus laughter came at the most
inopportune time, and in several in
stances the effect of some of the
strongest scenes in the celebrated
play was almost entirely ruined by
| the laughter and unseeming noises
from the "roost." This has happened
on numerous occasions, and in nearly
each instance the attraction was one
of the kind that demanded close at
tention on the part of the auditors.
The News is in receipt of the follow
ing communication signed with the
name of one of the best-knOwn citi-
zens of Paris, which will explain
itself:
Paris, KY, October IA.
Editor The Bourbon News: <
Dear Sir-FOr the past fifteen
years | have been a constant reader
! of the Bourbon News, subscriber in
all that time With very few excep-
tions ] have agreed with you on all
matters of public policy which you
have advocated, and time has demon
/ strated to me that as rule your pol
lev has been wise and prudent and
safe.
Therefore, l appeal to you through
the columns of your paper to lend
your influence to suppressing an evil
vastly complained of.
81 am a lover of the drama, there
fore a constant patron OF the Grand
Opera House in this city | attended
the performance Wednesday night at
this house of The Yellow Ticket, hav-
ing a seat in the balcony. From what
heard of the play judged it to be
one~Of the best performances | have
ever seen in that house. | paid dol
lar for my seat | left the theatre
with the firm opinion that the con-
duct of the negroes in the gallery,
their loud talking, their whistling and
unnecessary cOmmotion had deprived
me of the enjoyment l should have
had. and | do not believe such con-
| l,o fn1
other house in the United States.
81 came down into the lobby to en-
ter a protest to the manager OF the
house, but found that | had been fore
i stalled by several other indignant
patrons When the question was ask
ed of the President of the Board of
Directors of the Opera House as to
why the city officials did not try to
stop the conduct in the gallery his re-
ply was why, what have they got to
do with it?'
"In Justice to Manager Elliott, OF
the Colonial Amusement Co., 1T must
, be said that he also expressed indig
, nation. and declared that he would dc
, everything in his power in the future
to see that the patrons of the house
, were protected 1t seems to me sure
ly some means could be devised tC
prevent a repetition of such bad
conduct and that way might be
found to suppress the element thai
frequents that gallery in order that the
patrons who pay their money may be
: guaranteed the enjoyment OF the play
: Respectfully,
: "a PATRON"
In connection with this subject We
: will say that on the morning after thu
: performance Of 'The Yellow Ticket
: Mr.. Louis DonaZetti, manager OF the
: company, visited the office OF thi
1 News, and made an indignant protes
/ about the disorder. He stated tina
D Paris had a good reputation as SHOW
j town, and that after witnessing thu
d scenes enacted in the audience thu
night of the performance he wished II
e add his approval of the righteous in
L dignation manifested by those VIII
wish to enjoy the performance. HI
I said that it would not be. long be
8 fore it would be an utter impOsslbll
e ity to get a frst-class attraction t.
play Paris if the patrons were to b.
c annoyed as they were WedneSda
3 night.
Surely there ought to be som
e means of remedying this state OF al
fairs, and guarantee to the people Q
Paris, whose money built this prett
playhouse that they can purchase tlcl
o+c with tho assurance that thew Wi