El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1897-02-01


Play at the Inauguration BaIl-From
Which 1t Appears That the People OF
Washington Are NIercenary.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %. - Especial. -
There will doubtless be Il great deal of sur
prise throughout the country that the Ma.
ton of President Mckinley at all. The in
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 organ
izatiOns. The Marine band had bids in at
reasonable figures, but they were not ac-
copied. Local jcalOusics and money max
ing schemes operated to turn down the
one musical organization which the people
of the country who come hithcr 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 CONNER
cial spirit. They forget at times that the
Inauguration of Il president is not Il bust
ness affair. They scheme to get their fin
gers in 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
to have music from the Marine band ut
the inaugural ball is already apparent.
The Marine band is one of the most IA
nous musical organizations in the world
Its reputation extends to every country
At the World 5 fair it was the Judgment of
many connoiSseurs that il was the most
scientific musical organization in the
United States and ranking alongside the
two or three best bands of the world
Moreover, it is the national band. There
are only two bands in the United States
supported by the government outside the
army and navy. One of these is the Ma
rinc band of Washington and the other is
the Military Academy band at West Point.
The Marine band is required to play at all
the receptions in the White House and at
other functions in which the government
is the controlling power. In addition to
this it is ordered by the secretary of the
navy, under whose direct authority it is,
to play thrice Il week for the amusement
of the people of the national capital during
the season. From spring till autumn the
band plays every week in the White House
grounds, in front of the capitol and at the
marine barracks near the navy yard.
The Poor Musicians.
The wonder is that the Marine band is
Z.
The musicians of this band are perhaps the
poorest paid musicians in the United
States. L was once told by theatrical
mana ger that there is not piano thumper,
horn blower or fiddler in q dime museum
anywhere in the country who does not get
better pay than that which the govern
ment gives to the members of this national
band, in which every American feels such
Just pride The band is part of the ma
enlist in that branch of the naval cStab-
lishment. The leader of the band. Pro
fcssor Francesca Fanciulli, successor of the
famous Sousa and quite his equal as a lead
err, draws the munificent salary of $50 Il
month. The musicians are given the rcgu-
lar marine corps pay of from S23 to S37 a
month, with 81 month additional for
playing in the White House grounds and
other public places. In order to exc out a
living for themselves and families the mem
Ders OF THIS 1alnous band are compelled TO
keep cigar stitrcs, groceries and perform
,GIh other light employment as they can
get without too much interference with
heir duties to the government.
Professor Sousa, who was for Il long time
leader of the Marine band, asked congress
again and again for better salary for
himself and his men. He was proud of the
band and strove with might and main to
keep it up TO its high standard of merit.
Finally he tired of the thankless task and
resigned to take charge of commercial
band at good salary. He has in COM
Darativcly short time made himself the
most successful band leader and band music
III the country. 1 am told that
since he left the government service Pro
eSSOr SOuSa has earned an average of $50,
300 Il year, and he doubtless thanks the
lucky day in which congress finally turned
Town his application for an advance of sal
Try and gave him this chance to go forth
nto the world and make something worthy
MS genius.
The Commercial Spirit.
1t is now rumorcd that Professor Fanci-
llli, who has done wonders with the band
under the discouraging circumstances, is
about to initiate Sousa's example and ten
Ter his resignation. If he does so, the loss
will be Il great one. First class bandmas-
-ers are scarce, and the government will
doubtless look long time before it finds
another competent leader willing to work
or $50 a month. When the people of
who are always so glad to
wall themselves of the services of the Ma
line band for their own amusement or
profit, get n chance to throw few dollars
INTO the hands of these Woodworking, iii
paid and conscientious musicians, the com
mercial spirit or something else intCrvCnCs,
md the contract is given to another organ
Zation.
The people of Washington take good care
that the Inauguration OF Il president does
not cost them a penny. They seize upon
this great quadrcnnial ceremony as a CON
venicr5 attraction with which to draw to
he cigy many thousands Of strangers, ev-
Try one of whom is expected to spend a
amount of money before he
rets away. But Washington refuses to go
lown into it's pocket for Il single cent. The
of the streets and Of the ball
room, the arrangements made for enter
aiming the strangers within the gates, are
pretty cheap and common. Good suggcs-
ions HYcra nnldo 70 tho nlfect that the