The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-27
Marine Band to Have No
Part at Inauguration.
AS a Result There is Music
In the Air at the Capital.
II Appears that Washington People
Are Rather Mercenary.

""i"S, Jan. 81 - special. -
There will doubtless be great deal of sur
prise throughout the country that the Ma
rine band is not TO figure i'm the inaugura
tion Of President Mckinley at all. The I'm.
augural committee has let the contracts
for providing music at the inaugural ball
and at the concerts which are given the
day after the ball TO other musical organi.
| cations. The Marine band had bids in al
| reasonable figures, but they were not ac
cepted Local jealousies and money max
Ing schemec,operated to turn down the one
musical organization which the people of
the country who come hither TO witness the
inaugural ceremonies really wished TO hear
and see. There Is among these people of
Washington who have the Inauguration in
charge rather too much of the commercial
spirit They forget at times that the in.
auguration of president is not business
affair. They scheme 10 get their fingers i'm
the pie, and the strongest local ring or
coterie generally manages to carry its
point.
A National Band.
That there will be disgust throughout
the country at the failure of the committee
inaugural ball is already apparent. The
Marine band is one of the most famous
musical organizations in the world. Its
reputation extends to every country. AT
the Worlds fair it was the Judgment of
many connoisseurs that it was the most
scientific musical organization in the Unit
cd States and ranking alongside the two
or three best bands of the world. More
over, IL is the national band There are
only two hands in the United States sup.
ported by the government outside the army |
and navy. One of these is the Marine band
OF Washington and the other is the Mill. |
tary Academy band et West Point. The \
Marine band Is required TO play at all the |
receptions in tho White House and at Other |
functions at which the government Is the |
controlling power. In addition TO this il |
is ordered by the secretary of the navy,
under whose direct authority it is, to play
thrice week for the amusement of the
people of the national capital during Tn,
season. From spring till autumn the band
plays every week in the White House
grounds, in front of tho capitol and at the
marine barracks near the navy yard.
The Poor Musicians.
The wonder is that the Marine band u
Kept up 10 its high standard Of excellence.
Lhe musicians of this band are perhaps the
poorest paid musicians In the United
states l was once told - theatrical
that thcrc Is not n piano thumper |
norm blower or fiddler in a dime museum |
anywhere In the country who does not get
better pay than that which the government
gives TO the members of this national band,
N which every American feels such lust
'ridc. The band is q part of the marine
'orps, ard every member of it must enlist
n that branch OF the naval establishment.
The leader Of the band, Professor Francesca
successor of the famous Souss
md quite his equal as a leader, draws the
nunificcnt salary OF 800 a month. The
musicians arc given the regular marine .
orps pay Of from S23 TO S37 u month. with ,
4 month additional for playing in the
Ihito House grounds and other public
laces. In order to exc out living foi
hemselvcs and families the members of I
his famous b9nd arc compelled TO keep ci. a
ar stores, groceries and perform such 9th. p
light employment as they can get with. s
ut too much interference with their duties =
} tho government.
Froicssor Sousa, who was for long time :
ador of the Marine band, asked congress "
gam ana again for n better salary for q
nseif and his men. He was proud OF the y
md and stroyc with might and main 10 s.
'ep lt UP TO It's high standard of merit. a,
lnally ho tired OF the thanklcss task and -
signed to take charge of commercial :.
md at good salary. He has in q com. x
rativcly short timo made himself the ~
ost successful band leader and band mu. tr
; composer in the country. am told e,
at since nc left the government service Sc
'ofcssor Sousa has earned an average of n
2, 900 year, and no doubtless thanks the sr
rky day In which congress finally turned =.
wn his application for an advance Of sal - -
Y and gave him this chance 10 go forth 'n
% the world and make something worthy ~
genius. In
Tho Commercial Spirit. &c
Z Is now rumored that Professor Fanci. TO
|, who has done wonders with the land an
der the discouraging circumstances, is lal
mt 10 initiate Sousa's example and ten. &C
his resignation. III he does SO, the loss an
| bc great one. First class bandmns. 81
; arc scarce, and the government will ~
lbtless look n long time before IL finds UT
'thcr competent leader willing to work gil
$50 n month When the people of Wash. bi
ton, who are always so glad To avail ms
mSclvcs Of the services Of the Marine tjt
n chance to throw few dollars into -,
hands of these hardworking. iii paid WV
conscientious musicians the CONNER Oh
spirit or something else intcrvencs and Die
contract is given TO another organi2a str
/. UI
he people Of Washington take good care Oh
the Inauguration of president does for
cost them n penny. They seize upon
great quadrcnnial ceremony as n con.
lent attraction with which Co draw to
city mnny thousands of strangers, ev.
one of whom is expected TO spend a obi
Siderable amount of money before he me
away. But Washington refuses To go dri
N into It's pocket for "a single cent The s,o
'rations OF tho streets and of the ball -,
n, the arrangements madc for enter "',
ing the strangers within the gates, are 10
" cheap and common. Good suggcs- ~
s were made 90 the effect that the ste No
ypcd schemes Of cheap paper flags by carl
and cheaper fireworks by night be dis. wa,
Cd with and instead the public build INC