The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-05-29
MUSIC in COURT.
Suit Against the Rector and
Festry Of ST Johns
sP. Z. Church.
INTERESTING RIDDLE FOR MUSICIANS
Mr.. Gillies' Opinion as to Re-
hearsals for Church Sing
ing Dr.. stoddard
Victorious.
INTERESTING RIDDLE FOR MUSICIANS

During the trial yesterday afternoon of
an action before Judge J. d. Bedle in the
First District Court, Mr.. w. ID. Edwards,
counsel for the defendants, gravely raised
the novel and interesting point, Which re-
quired the more serious practice to be
able to sing satisfactorily, Dvorak's poetic
music or the long metre psalm tunes Of
the Scotch Presbyterian Church? Unfor-
tunately for the musicians present, the
question was not finally answered.
The suit was one brought by John C.
Gillies, Of No. 30 Fourth street, a singer
OF local fame, a member of the Schubert
Glee Club, whilom precentor of the Taber-
nacle. and at present officiating in that
capacity in the Mercer Street Scotch
Presbyterian Church. He claimed that the
Rev. DR.. Edward l.. S%roddard, the ward
ems and vestry OF st. johns p. &c. Church,
Summit avenue, WED him according to
q contract $500 for a years salary as solo
baritone in the choir Of tha fashionable
place of worship. The defendants denied
that there was such a contract, but adj
mitted that they owed him $50.
To try this action a very intelligent
jury was impanelled, who for the magni-
ffcent compensation of 25 cents each for
their services determined that the church's
defense was a right one. There was an
amusing sparring between Mr.. George G..
M and MIR. w. y. Edwards, coun-
sci respectively for the plaintiff and de-
PENDANTS before the Jurors were sworn.
Mr.. Tenant was solicitous in knowing
whether or rot any man of the twelve
knew the Rev. DIR. Stoddard or belonged
to st. Johns Church, and Mr.. Edwards
retaliated by demanding if they knew Mr..
Glllies or We're member of the Schubert
Glee Club. Lieutenant Charles Wells was
excused for the first reason and another
for the second. Then Mr.. Tenant opened
his case.
ls S was ss'a ap 5na5 e. h 81 ea last M Mr. ssh ST.
dafd to sing IN a sacred recital to be
but he had suddenly left the choir and
Gillies was called in to fill the vacancy
Ere Ere a sfeads5a a aerssa ,l.,. ana at is close
for his services at $40. Ginse $ asked p for
$40, but the rector SAX that that sum was
yer said, inquired as to Mr.. Gillies' ar
engagements for the coming season of 1867.
and on learning that GillIes was open for
r. nagase claimsesd,' n engag asd b linen, as 50 s MF;
baritone of ST. Johns Church at $500 per
year. and that sum was to include the
s5'f 5eg ssrvl lis dnsiesa May a / ssea ad &c Eas
and after singing at the recital March q.
50 said the lawyer, Rev. Or. stoddard
had gone by for making engagements
for 1896, Mr.. Gillies was damaged to the
U Of $500. Hence the suit.
and these facts were repeated by him.
He said that the music at. st. JOINTS
Church was of a very high order and par
Whose music was it," asked Mr.. Ten
7 think it was Dvorak's,' which Mr..
ten sDevorschafk."
w wasas: aS S|an 9R SSs saa i4 Pss ssf 5Ssf r
counsel expressed surprise that a musician
didn't know that.
Continuing, Mr.. Gillies said that after
former singer, John Rennie,, WHO gave
him a message. from Or. .stoddard;. and
letter from the rector himself
81 Astor Pl., Jersey City Heights,
April 16, '96.
I understood that Mr.. Rennie would see
you Sunday night, and that it would be
easier for you two to come to an ar
rangement than if / stepped in. Your
engagement with me is, Of course, good,
and | am prepared to stand by it. As
you could net come for the last three
X JQiIIdy9 III APIi L u ~ StiIQ " MI
Rennie. Finding that he wished to come
back, and that the people, after hearing
him, wished him, I told him that he
could say this to YOU
]. That he had been engaged for the
year hut had forfeited the engagement.
2. That he wished to come back.
3, That / was willing to make, or rather
renew, the engagement with him, pro-
yided you could get a position and was
willing to relinQuish this.
A. That he was to ask on what terms
you would ~relinauish the position here.
Mr.. Rennie was delayed in seeing you,
and I imagine did not present the mat
ter just as / meant, and I therefore
write you fully.
Please understand that you have II
right to this place; but that Mr.. r., nav
ing sung fer three months and made an
engagement for the year, forfeited it and
acceptable, we wish to receive him., pro-
yided 1T does not injure you
There Is no rehearsal this Friday and
/ shall not be at home, but shall be
glad to hear from you at your con-
Yours sincerely,
3. L. sToDDARD.
Mr.. Gnlies sent this reply
go Fourth St, Jersey City,
April 30. 1896.
Rev. Sir--Your note of the 10Th inst. re-
ceired and contents noted. I had a visit
from MI. John Rennie last Thursday
evening, and ] can assure you that I was
more than surprised en- hearing his
story, which was to the effect that the !
people of ST. Johns were besieging you
ON all sides to take him (Mr. Rennie) |
back, that You wanted him back, and
that you had sent him to tell me these |
things. The answer that I gave him was |
that I could not say anything until / had
heard from you.
Now. DR.. Stoddard, you must know
that it will be weM-1igh impossible for
me to get another position al this late
day, and, were it possible, my numerous |
friends would certainly think thai some
thing was wrong; for I have. of course.
told many Of them that j was going to
st. Johns, and 1 would, therefore, be
questioning. Without a position next
year would certainly mean great difficulty
in securing one the following year. and
would, no doubt, result in a material
~pecuniary loss to me.
/ do not wish to cause you the slight
est annoyance whatever in the matter;
but, under the circumstances. I can only |
say that I much prefer to fulfill my en-
gagement as agreed. However, If the
people Of st. Johns Church and yourself !
desire to reinstate Mr. Rennie, and have !
him sing next year in preference to my
self, I am willing to ~relinquish all claim |
to the position on the receipt of the 1
sum of three undre f$8e0 0o-10W dol
lars.
Yours respectfully,
J0HN q. GILLTES.