The order was then adopted, Ald. Pringle and Thomson voting in the negative.
(Note to [page 246])
From Chicago “Record-Herald”
February 1, 1912:—Chicago’s City Council erred in passing an order directing the mayor and the chief of police to stop the production The Playboy of the Western World according to an opinion sent to Mayor Harrison yesterday by William H. Sexton, the city’s corporation counsel.
The brief was prepared by William Dillon, brother of John Dillon, the Irish nationalist leader, one of Mr. Sexton’s assistants. It held that the counsel order was of no legal effect, although the mayor could suppress the play if he decided that it was immoral or against public policy. Mr. Dillon further declared that the mayor would not be legally right in prohibiting the production.
“I read three pages of the book,” declared Mayor Harrison, “and instead of finding anything immoral I found that the whole thing was wonderfully stupid. I shall abide by the corporation’s opinion.”
Interview for New York “Evening Sun”
GEORGE BERNARD SHAW ON THE IRISH PLAYERS
“I presume, Mr. Shaw, you have heard the latest news of your Blanco Posnet in America with the Irish Players?” he was asked.