Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-09

eyes, I'm glad to get back to Warrington,
said Mr.. John Philip Sousa, the conductor OF
the Marine Band to STAR reporter, although
I've had an extremely pleasant trip. The band
was everywhere greeted with enthusiasm and
courtesies of every kind were showered upon
them. As for myself I received the warmest
kind Of attention in every city we visited"
''In what city outside of Chicago did you have
the greatest success?' asked The STAR man.
II don't know that could single out any par.
ticular city that was more enthusiastic than the
rest. In all places people were anxious to see
and hear the band, and everywhere our efforts
were appreciated. In some cities the audiences
were more demonstrative than in Others but
they were not the less appreciative on that
account. So it would be hard to say that the
success Of the band was greatest in any
one city. Wherever we went we were
successful both financially and from an artistic
standpoint, too. This result was only what
expected. knew that had a good band and
that they could do good work. / knew that il
was only necessary for the people in other
cities to hear the Marine Band in order to have
people of Washington"
ENTHUSIASM IN ST. LOUIS.
"The protest Of the musicians Of ST. Louis
that city. did it?"
Not bit of it: We were treated splendidly
st. Louis both by the citizens and by the
musicians there. Our concert was crowded
and nearly every number by the band on the
program had to be repeated, and then we were
given a reception at the Exchange, at which
the mayor Of the city made speech, in which he
sought to impress upon our minds the fact that
neither the citizens of st. Louis nor the pro-
mn icia Of hat city had
sition to the Marine Band whatever and re-
GREETED that such an impression had gone out
over the country. In fact, in every city the
professional musicians were the bands most
enthusiastic supporters and there was not the
slightest indication of professional jealousy to
mar our tour.
WESTERN PEOPLE INDEPENDENT.
Zone thing that must say surprised me some
what, for you know that 1 had not been to the
Pacific coast before, was the absolute independ-
ence of the people of the west. They care
nothing for the opinion OF the east. No amount
Of eastern reputation will bolster up an attrac-
ton ii it has not intrinsic merit. Now, we were
advertised pretty well and, of course, we had
the most hattering testimonials of the eastern
papers. but we had to stand upon our
own merits. They judged US on what we did
and not on what some one else said we had
done. The people there think for themselves
opinion. We made big success in San Fran
cisco, and whenever any member of the band
went into musical headquarters there he was
cheered. OF course, the Pacific coast ID gov
erned by the dictum of Frisco and our success
there meant an equal success in every city west
of the Rockies.
.'There is one unique band that we met in
Pueblo, Col, called the Cowboy Band, and it is
composed of royalty good fellows, and they are
good musicians. too. They were lavish in their
Inequalities to the band and each Of our men,
bers brought away a souvenir Of our visit"
''Well," said The STAR man, sis Chicago 60
ing to take you away from Washington"
CAN'T TELL WHETHER TO GO OR STAY.
"That can't tell now. The offer made me
is certainly very fsttering. have been offered
a salary of $4,000 a year and share in the
profits, or a salary of $4,000 without any par
ticipation in the results. am to have sbso-
lutte control of the selection Of the members Of
the band that it is proposed should organize,
and of course shall, If l enter upon the enter
prise. endeavor to make it the largest and most
complete military band that the coun-
try has ever seen. 1t seems like
a great opening for me. I can have O contract
for five years, and if I succeed and come up to
the expectations OF the gentlemen comprising
the syndicate / have no doubt it can be re-
newed indefinitely. If should fail to meet the
ideas of the management why then ! would
have to step down and out. But even then, in
five years / would earn as much as the govern
ment would pay me under the present circum-
stances in forty years.
WILL TALK WITH THE SECRETARY.
"Stll have made no decision as yet, nor
shall do SO until have talked with the Presi-
dent, Secretary Tracey and Col. Haywood.
They have oil been very kind to me and could
not think of reaching any determination in this
matter without consulting them. / should
really be sorry to leave Washington. l was
born here and all my strongest attachments
are here. This is my home. I should dislike
to sever my connection with the Marine
Band. have worked hard to bring it up to its
present high standard OF work, and have taken
a pride in the result of my efforts. l think the
government ought to take great interest in the
band bill is now before Congress for its re-
organization and to place it upon an independ-
ent footing. but it has been allowed to rest
out the country, am satisfied, is in favor Of the
band. and l think now that We have made this
extended trip the people everywhere
feel as much interest in the Marine
Band as do the citizens of WASH
ington. think the band ought to be allowed to
make a tour once a year to let the people see
what sort of an organization they are pay
ing for and to watch its improvement and
progress. If the band is placed upon an indie
pendent footing, with fair compensation to the
men and fair salary for the conductor then
there would be an opportunity to make the
Marine Band the finest military band in the
world"