The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-05-29
THE MARINE BAND.
RUTHLESS ATTEMPT TO sQUEEGB
THE PRESIDENTS MUSIC,
How Harrison. Of Illinois. Defeated the
Ruthless Plan.
Congressional Record |

Mr.. Lewis (Ala) offered an amend
ment to reduce the strengtheo OF the Ma
rine Corps and to abolish the Marine
Band
Mr.. Harrison Ull) drew picture of
President Grant enjoying the music of
the Marine Band in the grounds of the
White House, while his friends sat
smoking his Partagas: aud bespoke of
himself (Nfr. Harrisom moving through
q crowd Of Republicans in the geQunds.
with one hand on his purse, aud the
other on his watch fob. Next yehr, with
q Democratic occupant Of the White
House, the scene would be different.
A Republican member Then we will
have our hands on our purses sand
watch fobs. Laughter.]
Mr.. Harrison Very good but we will
be enjoying the music. wsnt to see
Democratic President there iistening to
the music, and / hope to be one OF his
friends, with my feet on the balustrade
and one OF his Partagas between my
lips. / Lam opposed to the abolition Of
the Marine Band. Think Of the Demo
Gratis who want to get into the White
House. There is son Of the great Empire
State (Tilden). greater than Alexander
Alexander cut the Gordian knot with his
sword, but the knot was only ring OF
hemp but this man has cut a ring OF
steela canal ring, and he may be in the
White House. | want the Marine Band
there to give him music. and IL he should
lead bride to the White House, we will
play the wedding march and furnish
sweet music beneath her chamber win
dow. Laughter We have other men
for that position, any one OF whom would
grace the Presidential chair as it has not
been graced for long years. Are
We to deny him the music OF
the Marine Band Never. never,
neverl laughter We may have
one from Ohio-(Mr. Kelly Bill
Allen p who never speaks In the Sen
ate without uttering words Of wisdom
to have no music for him2 No, sir;
never, never, never! Loud laughter
We have little west-n the Hoosier
State, u great Democratic war horse (al7
luding to Mr.. Hendricks, of Indiana
n man who, they say. Is little OF
trimmer He is q trimmer because his
mind isBso round that he sees both sides
of question and does not grow wild on
any such. He may be In that position
and may be his friend in
the White House. and shall he
Band? Never, sir; by my vote never!
neyer neverl IGreat laughter We
may have in that seat, Mr.. Chairman, q
man who will fill the chair as it was
never filled before (alluding to Judge
Davis, of the Supreme Court; not q
single inch Of it that will not be filed.
[ Laughter A man great IN law as In
politics; one against whom not word
can be said. Am TO come here from
Illinois and attend his Inauguration, and
am l to go with him to the White House
hn. fn eaf6 i'm In
tripping the light fantastic toe?
never, sir; never with my consent never.
[ Continued laughter. There is still an
onther one from your own State, Mr..
Chairman, great In arms, great as q
civilian, talluding to Gen. Hancock, OF
Pennsylvania), man who IL he had not
been great as q general would have been
great in civil life. He may be there. He
will wish to have some memories of the
past brought to his mind by martial
music. Is 1t to be denied him? Shall q
marine band be refused to him ? By my
vote, sir, never, never, never Laugh
ter. Then, sir, there Is still another
- the Great Unknown" He Is coming
10000 strong from every part Of the
Union.
Mr.. Hardenbergh N. j. Parker.
Mr.. Harrison-I will call no names.
He is all around. The Democratic
party is full Of "the Great Unknown"
Roars OF laughter.l When that "Great
Unknown" comes there, shall he have
no music? Shall no tones come out
from those silvery Instruments, blown
by those gentlemen in scarlet coats, to
welcome and introduce that Great Un-
known" to his fellow-citlzens? Not by
my vote, sir; never, never, never.
AS Mr.. Harrison sat down he was
greeted with rOarS Of laughter and
rounds Of applause from both sides OF
the House. The speech proved too
much for the amendment offered by Mr.
Lewis, which was voted down by very
large majority.