Judge — August 1, 1885 — page 10: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE JUDGE. TO CORRECT AN ABUSE OF ACTORS. The movement toward the establishment of a Registry Bureau in connection with the Actors’ Fund is commendable, and should receive the co-operation of all actors and the support of dramatic pens. The agency abuse is undeniably an evil which cannot be too speedily and effectually abated. Thata class of men, having no interest in art or its promotion other than the gathering in of their five per cent. commission, should con- trol the resources of the dramatic profession, i monstrous as that a Gould-Field tele- ‘aph combination should control the ave- sof intelligence. In short, this agency tem is a monopoly—a tyrranous monoply. ctors, m and all persons who de- sire the advancement of dramatic art ought to join efforts toward an anti-monopoly. ‘That the majority of actors who are d to patronize agencies, are timidly silent regarding the unjust treatment they endure from these all-powerful middlemen, illustrs how the fear for their individual welfare subjugates their broader motive for the emancipation of aclass; it also illus- trates the necessity for guild organizations. The poorer the actor the more timid he necessarily becomes. When the favor of an agent is an active stock-in-trade to the ex- tent of food and clothing, it requires more than ordinary heroism to willingly become a “black listed” pauper, Brat is born | with strength, strength comes with unity Seldom ts there an individual with suffi- cient hurdihood to rise against a system. | em must combat system. When actors unite their forces and chivalrously stand by one another, then they may expect to remedy the abuses now practised upon them. ‘That actors should pay a reasonable sum for positions secured for them, is eminently just; that agents should charge fees for ser- vices never rendered or even solicited, and that actors, through fear, should be com- pelled to pay such extortions, is pre-em nently unjust. ‘The Actors’ Fund now does worthy work in relieving many distresses. ‘The more money it has the greater its power for performing charitable offices. If there is a general endorsement of the Registry Bureau by the profession, the so- ciety will be strengthened in its beneficent undertakings, and actors will secure an im- partial medium to recommend them accord- ing to their experience and merits. WORSE AND MORE OF IT. Recent developments in the line of jour- nalistic black-mail have drawn public atten- than the public know, The extortion is practised by the preparation of articles at- tacking the character of professionals ar the exaction of money for suppressi them. It is hardly necessa to say this is aswindle of the boldest nature; the articles are never published when the in- tended victim has the courage to refuse to pay the hush-money. In the case that is here alluded to, a popular actress in The Casino, when the proof sheets of the pretended’ scand.lons revelations were submitted to her, placed the matter in the hands of her manager and a detective. The result wa “nailing ” of the scoundrally editor and the retraction of all he had put in type. He ought not to have been thus let off. When one or two of these thieves of the dramatic press have been led far enough into their nefarious practices to expose them to a term in State-prison, there may be a check upon their foul trade. There are too many small copyists of the late unlamented Marcus Cicero Stanley, in dramatic, insurance, and other special jour- nalism. Their intended victims should learn that such inventions, if published, cannot really injure them professionally, and that to pay for silence is to placate a person when silence is not worth so much as the worst he can say. A bold front will always put to flight such biped members of the species mephitis Americana. A DICKENS OF A PLAY-WRIGHT? We shake hands with Mr. Harrigan upon his new conception of American comedy. He intends to abandon the clown business and present the better side of his comedy characters. ‘To make humor awaken the langh that has hitherto been dependent upon ridiculous situations. ‘To make his comedy characters so pa- thetic—simply by being true to nature that tears shall make the mirth tender, while smiles shall brighten the sombre scenes. This will be much easier and more natural than many suppose, for bathos are clos alhed in’ hur the prompt | York life dramatized. Mis characters will be found in every day street scenes, many of which, would move us deeply if we only took time to note them. When we sce them before the footlights and give them our undivided attention, doubtless the mimic presentation will seem more real than life itself. ‘Thus it is with Dickens’ characterizations —chosen from the same walks in life. Could Mr. Harrigan earn a worthier sta- tion than to be the future Dickens of the playwright world? THE SKELETON IN THE CLOSET. ‘The day is bright and fair, There is music in the And the sun is shining forth in regal splendor, Underneath the sylvan sh ‘There's no lack of lemonade— But ve proken my suspender. The maid upon m Could the most phlegmatic charm; And her eyes upon me beam full soft and tender; But I coldly turn From her smiles as se For I've broken my suspender. A man can still be bold, Though his bat is rather old, And the elbows of his coat are getting tender; Bat what man can comfort tind For his body or bis mind When he’s broken hi ler? spe! Life on the Wave. The skating rink having now become an adjunct of the excursion steamer, we may soon expect the floating race course to fol- low suit. Something after this style, per advertisement:— * The celebrated Maud S will trot in har- ness to-day on the Plymouth Rock floating race tr Trip up the Hudson giving views of the finest scenery and the fastest mare in the world, one dollar. Lovers of Nature and borse-flesh ‘will secure their tickets a day in advance,” ete. “A HAT tion toafraud that is practiced, or attempt- ed, onactors and actresses, much oftener | FULL OF WIND.” Youna Sront—‘‘ Ah, there goes her hat!” Ov Satr—" Yes, [ thought she was carrying ton much top-sail fora head wind.” comicbooks.com