Year: 1866




initistory steps towards the establishment of
new era in the theatrical world Of the metro
polls were taken yesterday in the opening of
the new French theatre last night and the lay
ing of the corner stone of Steinway's new con-
cert hall in the afternoon. The old theatres
are rapidly falling into decay as far as The sup
port of the public is concerned. They are too
far down town for the present taste of the peo-
pie who support the drama, and the majority
of them have been so wretchedly conducted as
to have become uncomfortable for some time
past It is, therefore, with pleasure that we
chronicle the opening of the Theatre Franchise
and the commencement Of operations upon a
concert hall which will serve the double pur-
pose Of fine music hall and theatre. The
Inauguration of the French theatre gives pro-
mise of succession of just the kind Of per-
formances for which the New York public have
been long yearning-light French dramas and
English operettas. The first series COM
menced last night; the second will begin to-
MORROW evening, with the Doctor of Alcan-
tara. y.


The sites of our places Of amusement are all
being located up town. The churches have
led the way, and we find as general rule that
the theatres follow the churches, very often
occupying the same buildings, as in the case
of Miss Rushton's theatre short time ago and
Bryant's minstrels now, who are about to fit
up DR.. Chapin's church with great sp.epdor as
new concert hall. The Academy Of Music =
defunct for the present. 1t is possible that the
stockholders may decide to rebuild it. We are
not aware of their Intentions; but in any event
it will be superseded by the new uptown
theatres. The Academy has had its day of
mischief to the voices of the singers, the pock-
cts Of the managers and the good taste of the
musical public. Its bad prestige is gone, and
even if it should be reconstructed by next fall
II will not interfere much with the business of
the smaller, more compact and better adapted
new houses. The public will never again con-
sent to hear fine operas destroyed and good
artists ruined in voice in such barn as they
have been afflicted with for 80 many years.


LABOR AND CAPITAL STRIKES OF THE SHIP
CARPENTERS, &c.--There are important move
ments going on in this city in which labor and
capital have come In conflict. We refer to the
strikes Of the ship carpenters, ship caulkers
and ship joiners, for the eight hour system,
and the strike Of the employers against them.
The former are receiving assistance from other
trades associations, the dry goods clerks being
the last to extend pecuniary aid and the latter
are bracing themselves against the workmen
and threatening 10 import people from dis
tance to carry on their business. A large
number of meetings have been held on both
sides, but compromise is as far distant now
~ II was over two months ago. Neither side
seems willing to come to terms, and the con-
sequence Is that ship building, for superiority
in which New York has been world renowned,
is being driven from our ship yards to other
localities. The mechanics complain of the en-
ployer and the employers of the mechanics,
and appearances are that each party will carry
on the war until It will be difficult to construct
a ship here on terms that will enable our ship
builders to eompeie with the builders in Maine,
Massachusetts,, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and
Maryland This should not be permitted.
There is a native pride among the snip car
pentcrs, joiners and caulkers in this city which
should deter them from contributing to- a loss
of the prestige which they have earned for
building the best vessels that ever fioated on
the ocean. The employers also should reflect
before they push matters to extremes. 1t is
necessary, therefore, that there should be
between the two bodies, and all
the inflammatory speeches that can be made on
either side will fail to reach proper solution
of the question. New York should not forfeit
or impcril her reputation as ship building
metropolis by this contest between the en-
ployers and employed. A fair compromise can
no doubt be made and we hold it to be the
duty of the prominent men in the movement
to see that a settlement of the difficulties is
effected with as little delay as possible. The
important interests of the city should not be
made to suffer by a conflict Of this kind between
labor and capital.





Musical.


LAYING OF THR coRSER STONE OF srEiNwAy's