The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-25
ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGE.
Editor of THE TRIBuNR:

| Editor Of The TRIBUNE:
SIR: Mosquitoes are small but who
| permits them to become too familiarS
For plain George Carter to reply TO 7. j,
Davies, Mus Bac, may seem imperttnent,
but there are 80 many fslsehoods In his
letter in yesterdays TRIBUNE, l am forced
to reply.
AS to my liability to judge" can simply
reply that good tree produces good fruit.
and if the pupils Of Mr.. Davies have the
''temperment, the talents, emotion and
poetical feeling together with ample ap-
plication and good judgement" then this
proves my assertion OF bad instruction,
very bad, or where is there ben Da-
vies," Edward Lloyd's," "Watcyn
Mills" etc, who could not have had more
ability than his pupils, Davies as he de-
scribes them.
II the Welsh are such great teachers,
why did the array of Welsh singers study
in England with "RendeggerF 'Give me
the Welsh students" says Rendegger;
''you can have all other comers." II
was vocal teacher, 1 would like Davies,
Mills, etc. but of the choice give me Jenny
Lind, Christine Nillson. Nikita, Nevada,
Eames, Blauvelt, Melba, Nicordi De
Renkes, Maurd Herwisch. Must l give
more? Yes, and even Patti.
Evidently Mr.. Davies believes every
thing the newspapers say. II so. how
about the article upon the Haydn Evans
party entertained by the 'prince Of
Wales" as per Elmira Budget of yesterday?
Who is CDR. Parry JonesY l am not &C.
quainted with the gentleman.
As to my ability to read music is ques-
toned, think my re-engagemsnt at Elm
Park church is sufficient evidence of the
satisfactory performance Of my duties. As
to 'sight-reading," who ever heard Of Pad.
erewski playing at sight, or Patti singing
at sight, or Booth giving play at sightf
When we go to concert we expect to
hear finished work, and, who would pay to
hear few selections played at sight9
Thank God prefer to be a student. No
doubt many Of them could deliver selec-
tions at sight, but who ever heard OF either
doing 80 in public? All artists insist upon
time to prepare, as does the druggist to
compound o prescription.
The article in the London Times in re-
gard to my playing "Sweet Bye and Bye"
was arranged for in Scranton. True this
is one OF tho hymns OF the church, whose
servant am. and "Home Sweet Home"
oftensung by Patti, arranged for organ by
''Dudley Buck.n Bless you, can not play
this air with these people as example.
That played it 80 we'll as to attract at
tention l am proud. dare anyone to
quote one article in which | made much
''ado so bravado" about my playing. Was
Mr.. Davies at the concert when "Del
Punse" "proddled" me in the ribsi l must
have been too excited to have felt it. l do
| remember. however, his asking me to
| transposs the key of his ''arid" which
did. What did the other artists do to re-
buke me? have since played for Blau-
welt. Strange!
how came my name as organist OF the
| Estate Teachers association "Profes-
sor Southworth" visited my homo and in
| the presence Of witnesses informed me OF
| having, without my consent sent my
name as organist for the advance pro
gramme; then asked me to assist in get
| ting Elm Park church for the organ re-
cital l consented to play. Later Mr..
| Southworth owned to me, having Quieted
the other musicians by telling them "he
had to invite me in order to get Elm Park
organ" This feeling toward a stranger
! caused me to decline to play. have since
played the selection twice. but not an
nouncing 1t, Musical Bachelor" seeming
| ly did not know it.
l regret that other names have been
drawn into this discussion. Having never
| considered musical art sin the line OF
pugilistic events, am 10th to see myself
challenged to ''musical duel" have
not the example of Paderwiski, De Pach-
mann, Liszt. ETC.. to guide me, but when
among the Romans do as they do" stares
me in the face and like jackson, i shall
| look for chance to withdraw. / accept
| Mr.. Davies, as Haydn Evans second, and
relict the ghost of Beethoven for mine; l
prefer the shadow to such reality as
"Davies."
Haydn Evans formerly held the position
| of organist of the Second Presbyterian
church until superseded by Mr.. Rockwell
| Ian organist Of great ability who served
| the Elm Park church most acceptably fol-
nine years. at more than double salary.
| Therefore, cannot accept challenge for
an organ contest. We both ''play the
piano." and / am sure do not pose as q
great pianist.
l will meet Mr.. Evans IN mortal combat,
anywhere according to marquis OF
| Queensbury rules" the programme to con-
| sst of six piano selections, each to select
three. and each playing the six selections.
| the Judge to be q musician of the calibre
of 'Joseffy," the entire proceeds to 60 tc
THE TRIBUNE for space occupied by arti-
| cles. AS Mr.. Evans does not return for Q
| time, supposing Mr.. Davies accepts o chal-
lenge, and not force another into the az
fray. What kind of a man is "DaviesS'
Echo answers, sh-sh. He says look intc
an organ mirror" There was never one
in sight OF my organ, therefore l take il
that he is talking Of that which he knows
nothing. The Welsh are musical people
with fine voices; but 1t requires years ol
work to become great singer.
| Well, "art'in music has assumed great
projection, when it becomes a matter Of
i III AI Il
proud Of this conditions, Of art becoming
pugilistics "Ahl have sighed to rest me,
but onward to contest in the name of art
| Sincerely,
| GEORGE B. CARTER.