Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-04-24
SECRETARY TRAcWs sUBTeRsUess.
How He Refused to Let the Marine Band
Come to Richmond.

Come To ssicnInOnd.
The New York Seventh Regiment and
the Marine Band episodes in connection
with the Lee statue unveiling will astonish
many southern people as TO the depths of
sectional feeling at the North. The
cementing Of the sections process by the
hospitable interchanges between the Grand
Army posts and the southern camps will all
90 for naught when such wanton attempts
are made TO wound the feelings of our peo-
pie lust because they would pay their
tribute to the memory Of their noble chief
tain. Robert i. Lee.
The Baltimore Sun gives the following of
Secretary Tracy's refusal TO allow the
Marine Band to visit Richmond. II is
small and petty exhibition from one occu-
pying such an exalted position IN this
Government:
Secretary Tracy has refused his consent to
the application OF the Society OF the Mary
land Army and Navy Of the Confederate
States to permIt the Marine Band 10 ac-
company their organization 10 Richmond
on the occasion of the unveiling OF tho Lee
statue ON May 29th. A committee OF the
society went 10 Washington few days
AGO and arranged with Professor Soussa,
leader Of the band, 10 go 10 Richmond and
70 give concert there on the evening OF
Nav 29th. Professor Soussa told the CON-
mittee it would DO necessary to secure the
sanction of Secretary Tracy and OF Colo
mel McCauley, commsndant Of the
Marine Barracks. He deemed that.
however. mere formelity and no
idea was entertained that either Of
the gentlemen would withhold his
consent. Colonel McCauley at once COM
pled with the request Of the committee,
but when Mr.. Tracy was approached hede-
clinsd TO grant permission. General Brad
lev 4. johnson and Mr. James *. Wheeler
were then sent TO see Nr. Tracy. They en-
listed the services Of Senator Daniel and
called on Mr. Tracy, who informed them
that II would be impossible tor him To
comply with their wishes, as tho band
wonld be required in Washington on May
30th. DecOratiOn-day. The committee ex-
plained 10 the Secretary that they had no
wish 10 deprive Washington Of theservices
of the band on Decoration day, and that all
might be accommodated they would hold
their proposed concert on the evening Of
Nav 18th, and send the band home IN time
for the exercises OF May 30th. The Secre-
tary then said he had refused similar ap..
plication from Governor Mckinney ana
eX-dONtTuOf Acps N~
should grant their request it would be ex-
ceedingIy discourteous 10 those gentlemen.
The committee met this objection BY pro-
ducing letters from Governor Mckinney
and Governor Lee in which they said this
application had been made in the inter.
est Of the Confederate Society Of
MARYLAND. The Secretary said il would
be necessary 10 secure the consent
OF the President. This was an un-
usual proceeding. but as the Secretary
promised To lay the matter before the
! President and 70 inform the committee Of
his action in the matter they were CON-
PEELED 10 retire and await Developments.
| The committee returned TO Baltimore and
waited until Thursday for the promised
communication from the Secretary, and
then wrote 20 Senator Daniel asking him TO
see the Secretary once more. This Senator
Daniel did, and was informed that the
Secretary saw no reason why the matter
should be reopened. Arrangements were
made yesterday with the Naval .Acsde.
my Band to 90 to Richmond, and
! h Is not sxpected that Secretary Tracy