The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-01
MAY MUSIC FESTIVAL.
A PLAN TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE
LEE MONUMENT.
A Series or Theodore Thomas and
Christine Nilsson Concerts.

Snflstfnc N1IksOn dOuceTU.
The time has come when our peopl,
must give something more than a mild
countenance TO the Lee-Monument project
The monument Is TO be erected here IL
Richmond here In the city that Lee anC
his men made forever famous; here, where
10000 OF them in their silent graves wait
the last trump; here, within sight OF the
battle-fields, which were witnesses OF such
deeds OF valor as have not been surpassed
since old Troy fell. To build this monu'
ment, which is to be at once memorial Ia
Lee the leader and to every soldier, hum
BILE or ilustrious, that fought under him,
liberal subscriptions were made ten and
twelve years ago. Every State in the old
Confederacy, every county and city in this
State, gave something, and collections went
on well enough till the scheme seemed to
have become dead here in Richmond.
REAwAKENING.
Recently new interest has been taken IN
the monument. Ii was known that the
Ladies' Lee Monument Association (Oi
which Miss Sarah n. Randolph, Of ElIicott
Mills, Md, is presidenD had 100000, and
the State Association (the Governor. the
Auditor OF Public Accounts, and the
Treasurer, trustees,) about S25, 900 more In
bonds.
Governor Cameron in his recent mes
sage recommended that the Virginia bonds
held by the Association be redeemed by the
State, and TO that end Senator Mccormick
has introduced bill. This fund and the
ladies'. and another OF $1,000, will make
an available aggregate OF about $4,000.
A good deal more is needed.
Now, the question is how to get 1t.
HOW TO RAISE THE MONEY.
Mr.. c. l.. Siegel has solved the problem.
He proposes great musical festival here
in May or June. III he can get the rail-
roads and the commercial organizations
here to give him their cordial assistance he
will get Theodore Thomas's orchestra and
Christine nilsson and some OF the most
celebrated singers in the world, and the
proceeds OF the enterprise will be shared
with the monument fund.
Mr.. Siegel would have to erect temporary
building (say on the Fredericksburg depot
lot, northwest corner Of Broad and Eighth
streets) and arrange to light it by cleo
tricity; would have to train chorus oil
two hundred singers; would have to get
the lowest possible excursion rates over
all the railroads and boats would
have to see to quartering the great
number OF strangers who would come
here from all parts OF the country
in fact, would have to have the most active
and earnest cooperation OF all truly-de-
voted citizens OF Richmond.
A meeting will be held tomorrow to as
certain what can be done. and the further
fact whether our people will subscribe to the
guarantee fund. The festival will probably
pay. They pay everywhere else, and will
no doubt here; but the projectors Of the
enterprise, who will give 1t so much OF
their time. labor. and thought ought not to
be expected to make up the deficit, IL any.
TIE PROPOSITION.
The following letter more fully explains
the scheme =
PITTSBURGH, December 20, 1888.
Mr.. {. L. SieGei, Richmond, Va:
Ny Dear Siegel, Your favCrs OF Deem
Der 18th came duly to hand. but absence
from New York has delayed my answer
until now. herewith make you the fol-
lowing proposition for grand musical
festival. conducted by Theodore Thomas,
assisted By the greatest sololsts in the
world-namelv, Matefna, Winkelmann,
Scaria, Wnant. Toedt, Remmcrtz, another
soprano to be named. and Christine Nilsson,
for two evenings and one afternoon. about
the lst OF May, for the sum OF $4,000.
This sum includes all the expenses OF the
seventy or more persons, autographs and
portraits and posters sufficient for the
entire State.
Nilsson will sing at one performance and
Materna at two performances.
In order to make much money for the
monument fund you would have to go to
the expense of two or three thousand dol
lars in fitting up temporary hali-inclosed
structure, made to receive and seat four or
five thousand people. In this way it is
possible TO add fifteen or twenty thousand
dollars to the Lee-1Ionument fund.
1t is needless for me to write further
concerning the above artists, as the names
speak for themselves. | must urge upon
you prompt action in this matter, since
Baltimore and Pittsburgh are waiting TO
have dates settled, and | cannot do so now
until you decide.
With best regards, very truly,
CHARLES L. LOCKE.
THE ADVANTAGES.
What good Will the festival do:
II will reklndie interest in the Lee mon-