Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-31
HOW HE SAVED THE BAND.
The Humorous Speech That Made Car.
ter Harrison Famous.

The memory Of the late Carter Harrison
must always remain green in this city and
every time the strains Of the Marine Band
are heard there should go UP from every
loyal heart a prayer Of thanks to him who
has Just been stricken down by the bullet
Of an assassin. To this unique man Is
due the existence of the celebrated band,
for at a time when the rigid economists of
Congress were about to prune or this VAL
liable branch Of the naval service Mr.. Har-
rison stepped to the front and by means
Of patriotic and witty speech Of about
ten minutes converted majority in favor
Of cutting OF the band into a decided ma
jority in favor Of its retention. The debate
occurred on the naval appropriation bill,
which was presented on May %, 1876. in the
first session Of the Forty-fourth Congress.
Mr.. Harrison. then a member of Con-
greSs from Illinois, arose to oppose the
amendment emitting provision for the
band. In the course of his remarks he
said:
MIR. Chairman, for fifteen long. dreary
years at the other end of Pennsylvania
avenue the White House has been occupied
by republican and during the winter
months of evenings the Marine Band has
been up there to discourse sweet music for
the delectation of republican President
and the delectation of his republican
friends. At every reception a republican
President has stood in q certain room re-
ceiving his guests and his pet republican
friends In white vests and white cravats
have stood behind him enjoying the dulcet
tones poured forth from the silver threats
of silvered instruments by twenty-four gen.
tlemen in scarlet coats. For long years, Of
summer Saturday afternoons, twenty-four
gentlemen in scarlet coats have caused
twenty-four silvered instruments on the
green in front of the White House to belch
forth martial music for the delectation Of
a republican President and his republican
friends.
ION the 4th Of next March, sir, there will
be democratic President in the White
House. Sir, Is the democratic President to
have no music? ."
But they wish to abolish the Marine
Band. Think of this being done, democrats
before a democratic President goes into his
position! We have many men who, we feel.
are fit to fill that position. In my minds
eye I see them now marching on from ST.
Louis to the White House. Let me name
them as they come in sight. They come
first from the east"
Mr.. Harrison then described in a humor-
Gus way. without giving names. the various
democrats then looming up as democratic
candidates. Continuing. he said:
Then, sir, there IS still another the Great
Unknown. coming 10000 strong from every
part of the Union, the Great Unknown of
the democratic party"
There were questions as to the identity of
end Mr.. Milhken suggested that perhaps
delicacy prevented Mr.. Harrison from nam
ing him.
Yes. sir, delicacy and modesty prevent
me from calling names. Sir, when the
Great Unknown gets here shall he have no
music; shall no tunes come from those
twen;y-four silvered instruments, blown out
by those twenty-four gentlemen in red
coats, to welcome him to the White House?
Shall we have no music when we introduce
him to the American people? Not by my
vote; never. never, neverr'
When the vote was taken, a few minutes
after. the members. whose sides were still
aching from the laughter that this speech
had caused. gave Mr.. Harrison their sup
port until the result was-ayes, Is; nays, 70;
and the Marine Band was saved
night or so later the band serenaded
Mr.. Harrison at his residence and ne made
them a speech, beginning Gentlemen Of
the brass band" which was quite as hu-
morous as that delivered in the house, but
which has unfortunately not been pre-
served.