The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-01
WHERE'S THAT PLANO?
Prizes Awarded at the Cabe.Waik
but Not Presented.
Senator Hsmden's Candid Confession That He
Deceived the Pubic but Not the
Competitors.

If the management of tho Cake-walk
Brigade wished a continuance of the agita-
ton which before the competition divided
into two factions the members Of fashiona-
bls colored society, the desire has been
abundantly realized
While the rehearsais for the show were in
progress several of the prominent church
people made some objection to the walk
upon religious grounds, while others de-
clared that it was not the proper thing for
ladies and gentlemen to exhibit themselves
in public, and that the only circumstances
under which a member of the best coiored
set could participate in such competition
without losing caste was when the enter
tainment was gwen in a private house.
In spite of these obstacles the walk was
said to be great financial success. not the
least factor in which was the public an
ncuneement that the management would
distribute number OF Variable prizes. rang
ing from a $3.50 piano to a silk hat to the sue
eessful competitors.
During the last few days it has been a
matter OF general and adverse comment that
these magnificent rewards for the possession
Of good looks, style. apparel and superior
quality Of pedestrianism had not been dis
tributed to those who lad been awarded the
prizes. aud that these people were really out
of pocket as result of the exhibition.
The competitors were invited 10 meet the
col0red managers at Ixora Hall on Tuesday
afternoon and went biithely to the ap-
pointed place in the expectation of recelv-
ing their trophies. It is even said that one
lady engaged truekman to remove her All
ticipated possession to her home. The prize
never reached her residence, however. Ii
had never seen IXora Hall. and the pros
pective owner. with other disappointed
lnff hon hair
arrival.
BECAME INDIGNANT.
In consequence colored society became
mere indignant and excited than ever, and
all kinds of threats were made by the priZ,.-
claimants as ID the manner in which venge-
ance, II not redress, would be obtained.
In explanation of these statements the
two cOlnTed managers-SeHatOr Harry Ham,
den and William Sampson-naTrated their
side of the story yesterday. They were
found in n saloon on Mission street much
patroniZed by men of their race. where they
were gracefully doing the honors. The
Senator wore a silk hat and q searfpin of
which the diamond was as big as nickel.
Mr.. Sampson necktie was decorated with
a large diamond cross which If worn by
John w Markay would have been valued
at about $4,000
These folks have no kick coming" said
the Senator. We had IS competitors at
the cake-walk, 81 gents and 81 ladies. Every
nights services, the remuneration ranging
from 81 10 SIS.
I'VE had a contract with Purdie and
Kahn TO produce 20 couples for the com
petition, and in order Ia secure the re-
quisite number we had TO employ them We
asked each one: Will you take your chance
for the cake aud prize or viii you agree TO
walk for certain sum-? Without an eX-
ception they said: We'll, / would rather
have the first prize. but I'm a little short
| have hppD |
III take the money!
THEY SIGNED CONTRACTS.
Each one signed contract agreeing TO
walk both nights in consideration of a cash
payment. We had 10 have them and paid
them just what We were obliged to. Miss
Lancaster got "a and Milt johnson got
81 80. They weren't graded according to
their accomplishments. because we didn't
know what they were. The S25 colored
people were not always the best, but they
were the hardest to get IL was a case of
had to.
"Of course, the prizes were merely
epbemeral, offared to interest the public
and to make folks think there would be
heavy competition We had 70 do il, you
know, but the walkers understood dis
tinctly that they were walking for mucn
night, ana they didn't expect pTiZPs.
''The whole trouble arose out of lot OF
people going to Miss Lancaster, who won
first priZh, and asking to see her piano.
Instead of saying, L took money instead of
the Instrument she said. L haven't got IL
yet; the managers haven't given it TO me-
And then her friends made her behave she
was cheated, and then she began to roar at
Mr. Sampson and me, saying we were keep
ing her piano.
al don't see that she eugh. to kick She
got S4 from US and a cake and SO. her fell
low reinquishing his s.. and she got a let
of eulogies from the papers about her looks
and style. Nobody except eolored folks
knew her before the walk, and now she's
the most celebrated lady in town.
Miss Lancaster sent down her brother
TO me to-day and he says. Don't YOU want
Jennie to walk at 0aklandp and | says,
We'll. Jim. I've got all want hired, but il
there's a vacancy III give your sister a
chance Lots Of these folks who have been
kicking and roaring want to &C with US on
tour O! the State to walk for a salary, but
we're going TO give the local people
chance"
Mr.. Sampson, who states that he is q
newspaper man, supplemented his partners
explanation by the remark that all the COM
petitOrs bad been paid on Saturday night
for their services and that each had signed
a receipt in fun.
"a lot OF those people are trying to do Us
cluded the Senator, 'but they can't do US
any harm. We don't owe them anything.
There are no prizes and never were, aud
these folks who took part all knew that
there would BIZ no prizes, because we ex-
planned it perspicuously."
>-