The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-12
NOISY CAMPAIGN MUSIC.
Ten Thousand Drums Sold Already
this Year by a Chicago Firm.

InlS ear py q CnlcagO t1rm.
Ffonl the Chicago Intey. Ocean,
was going home in the street car the
other evening, and happening TO sit along
side of an employee Of u music firm over
heard him say to his fellow: "We've been
doing a rushing business this year in drums.
Just think of it, we have sold over Il, 900
already. Thought III tell you. G'bye."
Ten thousand drums! Drum major, what
racket What could IA nation of peaceful
people want with such an armament of
noises 1t seemed incredible. At the big
musical Instrument store the reporter was
shown up ITO the drum department, mouthed
his lines Of information to themanager, and
awaited that gentleman's confirmation OF
the statement or the deadly laugh
YES, it's fact said the manager.
You see, this is the year for the PreSi-
Dental election, and the excess of enthusi-
asm, both here and elsewhere, finds an out
lot in whalloping drumhead. Noise is a
very important factor in this election bust
ness, and drums, like empty barrels, make
the most desirable sort of rumpus."
"Have you grades of drumsl Do you sup
ply Republican drums, with aristocratic
frills and fol-dols, as well as Democratic
drums with airs of defunct and Jeffersonian
slmphcitym
NO, Uuey re I'll lick anu lick dllke.
We recognize no such base discrimination.
After they leave our hands we don't care
whether they bray for Gresham and hi s
party or rat-tat for Cleveland and his hosts.
We're moulding noise, not politics or opin-
ions, although there's a good deal of SINH
larlty between us and the politicians, mas
much as we're both out for the stuff OF
course, there isn't much of the 'lascivious
blessings dodge about the drum, such as
Donelly says Bacon says there is i'll lutte,
but when it comes down TO tapping off zeal
and activity for electioneering purposes at
so much per tap, the homely little instru-
ment discounts anything in its liue, be it
run by lung power, muscle or steam. Yes,
sir; this is the headquarters for the drum
business. We supply Washington, Balti-
more, Cincinnati, sleepy old Philadelphia,
and st. Louis-in fact, all the large cities.
We have sold 10000 drums already, and
probably we'll double that number before
the season Is over" l.
"Who order the goods9'
"Oh, thew come to us from the local deal
ers, but at such a time as this the politicians
put up the needful. In country towns
drum corps and bands are the life of the
people, AMI the bigger the election the big
ger our business grows"
do you supply music with tho instru-
mentS, or is the melody the result of bucolic
inspiration and musio7"
I'VE supply music, mostly of martial
sort. I'll not fence with you about this
subject, but will say that there are many
single stick artists in these country towns.
Drums aren't used much in the South, for
two reasons. First it is almost without
political excitement, and, secondly, because
brass bands and drum corps are considered
the exclusive property of the colored PEG
plen
How much money is represented in the
sale of 10000 drumsW
"Well averaging the price of one at $40
| should say about 100000. A drum such
as the Second or First regiment bands use
costs about Sl6; but they can be had as low
as S."
What States are the noisiest-got the
most drumsm
"It's pretty hard to say. I should think
Ohio or Iowa. You see Iowa is a prohibi
ton province, and lung exercise is dry work
therefore the people have to do their yawp
ing by proxy. Yes, sir, Iowa is getting
there with both feet-I mean with both
hands. You might make note of the fact
that drum corps have become very popular
in the last four or five years.
Drum contests-notably those to come
at Washington, Mobile, Dubuque, Nash,
vile ana Austin, Tex.-have been planned
for this year. Drummer feasts-the WORD
is original, but pure as the parchment we
use-are in order from this time forward
and simultaneously with the tune of the
business mosquito and his matchless ubiquity
will come the hum of the campaign drum.