SUPPRESSION OF SUNDAY AMUSEMENTS IN CINCINNATI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5722, 20 March 1880, Page 7

SUPPRESSION OF SUNDAY AMUSEMENTS IN CINCINNATI.

A despatch from Cincinnati, dated the 7th January, published in the _Ycw York Tribune, says :—Last night, tlio Police Commissioners issued an order directing the superintendent of police to arrest all persons performing on Sunday in any of the theatrical, variety, or concert shows. The result was that most of the shows that usually opened on Sunday closed their doors ; but at Henck's Opera-house, and one or two other places, performances were begun. The police promptly arrested everybody they could find violating the order. About fifty persons were arrested, all of whom gave bail. To-night not a theatre or concert-hall is open, where there were usually more than twenty. During the entire day Vine-street, upon which most of these places are located, has been filled up with people apparently not knowing how to spend their, time. It has been estimated that the attendance at Sunday places of amusement has grown to be from three to fivo times as great as at all the churches. Recently the matter ha 3 engaged the attention both of the newspapers and the city council, and this movement may be in

response to public sentiment. It is claimed, however, by the proprietors, that they are violating no law, and they look with confidence to acquittal in the police court*. One establishment announces that it will open at 12 o c ock to-night. Of the places of amu-o-meat affected by the order, the Grand Opera house is the most important. "The Heart of Oak," by the Hearue Corcoran Combination, advertised a last performance there to-night, but it bad to be postponed, and the front of the theatre lias been surrounded by a crowd a'l day. Only those who had tickets for reserved seats permitted to piss the police to get their money back, ilenck's, where the people supporting Laura .Alberta in the sensational drama " Fifine" were arre3ted to-day, ranks next to the Grand Opera-house, and is a legitimate place for amusement in the quality of the attractions, although beer is sold to the audience during the performance. Su-h combinations as M'Wade's "Kip Van Winkle," where John Dillon appears, and the majority of other places were also closed to-night. All o£ the lower concert halls promptly obeyed the order to close and thus avoided arrest. There was no effort to proceed to night. Drinking saloons are crowded everywhere, ancl several " Over-tlie-Rhine" theatres have converted their auditoriums into beer saloons, and are doing a good business. Two of them announced that the regular performance will be given at midnight. This raid by the Police Commissioners has created much excitement, and its purpose and tffect are variously estimated.