THE RIGHT TO HISS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1319, 21 June 1883, Page 4

THE RIGHT TO HISS.

The *• Wheeling Inte' lienee,” an American paper published in the Far West, contains the following:—The other night a 1 serio-comic ’ was performing the part allotted to her on the programme at Charlie Shay’s Theatre, and for some reason her singing failed to please at least one member of the audience, a man who sat in the gallery, and he expressed his disapproval by a decided hiss. The hies, coming at a time when the audience was quiet, attracted universal attention. Among others who noticed it was Special Officer Lauchlin, and he quietly took a stand near the demonstrative auditor. Shortly the sound of disapproval was repeated, at which the officer promptly collared the offender, and removed him to the lock-up, where a charge of disorderly conduct was lodged against him. Yesterday morning the case came on in the Police Court, Judge Jeffers presiding. The story was told, and one of the witnesses said that other persons in the audience had applauded the same performer. “ Dii the officer arrest them ?” asked the Judge. “ Did not the applause make more noise than the hissing ?” “ Yes, I suppose it did." “ Well, I will discharge the prisoner. A man who pays his money to see a performance has the right to express his disapproval, in the customary way, as he has to testify his approval. The right to applaud implies the right to hiss. You may go sir.” The prisoner went.