Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1886-06-15
THE TRUE SITUATION.
An Explanation by the Yankton Band
which fmpresnably Fortifies them
in their hose Position.

Ah ES~ApIhnutieu ny Tue AduiIIOH BanN
which fmpresnably Fortifies them
in their Chosen Position.
To tie Press and Dakotaiaa.
AS a band organization we desire to re-
ply to a recent publication and to extend
some information upon a subject regard
ing which erroneous impressions seem to
exist. The Yankton band is reminded
that their uniforms and instruments
were paid for by the citizens of Yankton
and that they therefore W the citizens
something. This is one of the
Impressions ahoat. Each instrument
used by the band was bought and paid
for by the member using it, with tbs
exception of the tuba. The old
set OF instruments to which
the tuba belonged the band hold a bill
OF sale for, which gives them a clear title
to the instruments. But thsse instru-
ments, with the exception of the tuba,
are not used by the band, as is generally
known by people who know enough
about the subject to write i%ntelligently
APoh v VIC u tAOs ~ usbtbuctG
repaired when the band was organized
and these repairs cost $1l5, but we could
use them only q short time. Afterwards
we purchased new instruments, paying
therefor from $50 to $50 each.
Our uniforms were bought and paid
for by each individual member of the
band for whom they were made.
In cases when calls have bean made
upon Us by churches, societies, lodges,
etc. we generally furnish music gratis.
occasionally asking for pay for our
leader, for the simple reason that he
must be compensated and we have no
money in our treasury and do not feel
able to pay him for public services out
of our W pockets.
/ We have asked ssaa25 for our services on
tho coming 4th OF July and deem it
only fair compensation and far below the
average price paid for such services.
We are compared with the militia
company. the fire boys and other organi-
cations and %admonished that we should
follow their example and turn out for
nothing. A few queries in this con-
~nection may not be out of place:
lido the members of the militia
company pay for their uniforms, In
structiou, hall rent, etc?
2-Do the members OF the fire COM
pany pay for their uniforms, instruction,
hall rent, etc?
3-Do the members of the band pay
for their uniforms. instruction, hall rent,
music, etc?
In the frat tive instances tbs expenses
OF the organizations are paid by direct
tax upon the people and the members
thereof nre snssained in their organlza-
ton from the public fund, 1t costs
them nothing to exist and they belong
to the public.
In the case OF the band oil expenses
are paid by the members thereof, and
it costs q considerable sum annually to
MAINTAIN the band. 1t is o private or
ganization, which seeks only sufficient
compensation to maintain itself and to
keep itself ready at all times to furnish
good music upon public occasions.
To play for a Fourth Of July celebra-
ton we must purchase new music, prac-
tice from six to eight.hours each week,
compensate U instructor and then
play and maroh in the heat from sur.
rise until late in the evening.
Still We are told that our charge Of
$125 is exorbltant aud unreasonable.
We are fully of the opinion that there
must be something wrong IN the upper
story of a person who will give publicity
to such o statement. YANKToN BAND.
t#