The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-09-08
Terms $500 per annuns, in adrance.


Inc New York Standard gives an accoun
OF another murder in that city which shows
ID What pass they have come there:
At9IO O'Clock last evening party of
Young men and women living in the tene-
ment houses with which the neiobbotbood
abounds were assembled on WASHINGTON
street, under the wooden awning in front of
baoo'Is soap factory, extending from Nc. 68
to ~ Washington street. They were a little
noisy, and were laughing and talking. but
were hot disorderIy or making any distuIb-
ahce OF the public peace, as far as can be as
one OF the party, a young man nineteen
yos;I vi ase, christie Higg us, whose parents
reside at No. 123 Rivingloi, street. beuan
dancing with Young woman named Mary
AN Ann Marshall OF No. 73 Washington street =
ihey oahced several times around the nave
ment, and in passing the door of The factory
Jostled against it, Immediately the door was
thrown open from the insiue and a burIv
German rHshed out, without either hat or
coat on, and carrying in his hand Jug or
pitcher.
He desired to know, in broken English.
what they meant, also saying, why DO you
knock against this door, you son OF = ;" ad-
dressing Higgins. Higgins, imita'ing play
fully his broken English, answered with an
oath that he was doing nothing harmful.
lew words we're interchaneed, when the
German put down the pitcher he was cairg-
ing, walked up to II ggins, deliberately placed
revolver against his throat and fred. The
roy dropped to the pavement and died almost
instantly. The companions of the young
man, when they realized the horrible tragedy
which had been enacted before their eyes lit
was but the work of an instant,) ran towards
the murderer, bnt he broke from their grasp
and ran into the building, locking the door
after him.
The story of the murder spread like wild
MI among this densely packed inhsbitrpts of
this portion oil the CITY, and a motley Gro Nd
OF lnfurlated, excited men, women and chill
dren, gathered about the lad who Law on the
pavement bleeding prolusely from a wound in
the throat. A man who said he was doc
tor, elbowed his way through the crowd, and,
producing knife, made an incision in the
lower portion OF the neck, but the victim ex-
plred atout five minutes alter he was shot.
The POPULAR MUSICAL TASTE OF AMER
ICA.-At the National Musical Congress in
New York, last week, Mr.. S. A. Emery of Bos-
ton, Formerly of PortlandI read paper en-
the above theme, an epitome of which we
print. We are glad to find some one to speak
boldly and truthfully on this important SUBJ
ject, and hope that this paper will be the be-
ginning of an improvement in the popular
understanding of the nature power and infu-
ence OF music.
This subject, said Mr.. Emery, assumes at
once paramount importance, when we justly
estimate the intellectual, moral, and religious
power OF music, and remember the intimate
connection OF the popular taste with all de-
lartments of musical composition and PER
formance. Regarded as people, the Ameri.
cans must be considered musical, talented in
fact, Judging by what they have accomplish
ed. And now arises an important question.
Assuming it to be true that, as nation, we
are musical, we must candidly ask ourselves
if Our music be of the best school, 50 that it
shall exert the legitimate influence OF true
music, refining and elevating us. For the
shame feel could Wish this question to re-
main unanswered. America, that in all
thlns else requiring profound learning, in
domltable enterprise and consummate skill,
equals the world, leading in truth, is yet be-
hind all the great nations OF the eartn, save
one, in the divine art. 1t would be humilia-
ting to rehearse the fac's-how songs pos
sesslng absolutely no intrinsic merit have
reached sale OF many thousands Of copies
how mean insless combinations OF notes have
proved almost fortunes to their owners
how illustrated title pages OF Songs and
Dances" have filled the pockets OF men whose
OILY music was the ring Of dollar. We all
know tnat popular music is trash. 'Old Hun
dred'' is popular, to be sure, in certain sense
and its solemn goodness, so strong aud pure
and steadiast, will never cease to make meI
better. Sc. too, though 10 different ways, art
Home, Sweet Home,' America" and scores
| OF other such productions truly popular, But
what is known as popular music" includes
none ot these. 1t is even unworthy the name
OF music, and yet it must he accepted as the
taste of the mass OF American people, for il
finds reader and larger sale than all the res
united. 1t is national disgrace, and the
sooner we regard it in its true light, the soon
er may we hope to have it renedied.