New-York tribune., 1878-06-08
up. CINHATPS MUSIC HALL.

A TALK WITH REUBEN r. SPRINGER THE LEADER
IS THE ENTERPRISE.
Reuben r. Springer, to whom Cincinnati is
mainly indebted for its new music hail. is visiting this
city being guest at the Windsor He is a slight gem
teman OF medium stature and considerably bent with the
weight years. In appearance and conversation he Is
quiet and thoughtful lie faultlessly but plainly
dressed in black He has sharp, prominent
features and keen grey eyes In his man
ncrs he is selEpoised and gentemaniy. Mr..
Springer in conversation. showed much enthus-
asm the arts and avoiding mention OF himself ex-
cep when questioned talked the accident ofhis ay-
ing had the and the will 20 aid such an art enter
prise was OF little consequence compared with the
Importance Of great music hall and art culture to Gin
cunati
"How did YOU happen to DO much toward building
the new Music Hall q" asked the reporter.
{" It was Just after the festival OF lS7b. That was
gven I'm The DID snrcrfest Hall built for the festival "
the German musical sOcietes where the Industrial eKbl-
bOns nad been held for six years where Horace Greeley
was nominated for Presidency In 1872 and President
Hayes ia 1876 The nall was TO be torn down. and our
citizens proper place for holding the next musical
festiya 1t seemed necessary for TO lead. ]
offered Sl2J0O0 on condition that the cilzens WOnid
subscribe an equal amount. They RESPONDED win
first subscription were able to complete the new
Music Hail. which in all Its appointments Is the finest In
the world The acoustic properties perfect and there
excellent means for disposng OF the large 0rches
I'VE we're not dependent on the Germans" he added
for the success this festival Out Of about 100000
Of pooniafion between 10000 and 100000 are Ger
mans They like to have their own way and IN many
respects their ways are different from ours lAeIe was
little feeling among them that some OF thelr cadng
musical spirits were not chosen To organize the
festival; 20 select the music etc For that We engaged
Theodore Thomas, paying him $4,000 Eaeh IneinGeT OF
his above 100 pieces paid $50 and his ex
penses from and TO the East Altogether, tho outlay
aggregated $4,000, but the receipts reached between
900 and S73 600. most encouraging The
chorus was perfect and could not be eXceled."
In 1875 did you fOresee Cncnnatfs possible SUI
preInacy musical festivals :"
II plain that only hau 70 De nDofal In
fostering music and IN prOyi1ing suitable place Tor
National festivals to secure the honor OF being the mu
sca centre OF the country. Our citizens fully
ment TO Cinciunati, in bringing her business
and fame We expe3t that all the great conventions OF
the country VIII be held In city. Although the Music
Hall was built by corporate body the city IN giving the
site secured the hall for all kinds OF pablo assemblies
free Of charge except the expense OF lighting ana Keep
ing the hall in proper order" .
music 2"
Not TO the same extent though good schools are grow
ing up There active and growing interest IN the
fine arts and there several creditabo collections or
mas done much for art-the school which he
founded supplying competent art teachers 10
that part of the West Mr.. GroesDeck has
fine collection Of paintings have been collector Tor
forty years After my first visit to Europe iOud that
the cOlecuOn then had and which had regarded as
being rather ine needed 10 be disposed of"
You have been long a resident of CncnnatiP
For fifty years lwent out OF business IN 1s4O thirty
eight years ago. have felt that ought TO spend my
money where / succeeded IN makingjt"
Have you a special fOndness for music y
Not In scientific cultured sense but take an in
terest in musical culture and find great enjoyment in
. There is much wealth in Cinclnnatil"
There are a few wealthy men among our citizens,
who do not spend their money, as NewfOrk men do, In
making display on the avenue. Clncmnau men are
social IN their tastes but they do not Try 10 DC fashion,