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Bolton, Charles E. (Charles Edward), 1841-1901

"The Harris-Ingram Experiment"


4. Variety and quality in the entertainment, with no wearying pauses
between the parts. The movement must be swift and sure.
5. Punctuality and business-like thoroughness in the management. Begin
and end on the minute. Give exactly what you promise; or, if that be
impossible, what will be recognized as a full equivalent. Ideas, not
words, old or new on every helpful subject in the universe, spoken or
illustrated. Music that rests or inspires, and is understood.
6. Sell 5,000 season tickets at $1.00 in advance to secure a guarantee
fund; this is sound business, as success is then assured, and it will
not depend upon the weather.
7. Have prominent citizens preside at each entertainment, but pledge
them to crisp introduction. High grade entertainments wisely managed,
prove themselves of benign influence, and an agency more potent than
many laws in the preservation of peace and the reform of public morals.
When Colonel Harris's will was probated, two-thirds of the balance of
his fortune was left in trust with Mrs. Harris, George, and Gertrude,
to be used for the public welfare, as they deemed wisest. The trustees
used $100,000 to build for the Workmen's Club a large and attractive
Central Hall, that had steep double galleries, and five thousand opera
chairs.


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