The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1900-06-16
Letto6s from the people.
Music versus journalism

Mr.. editor:-In the last issue OF the
Evangeline we note a scathing article
regarding "Soiree Gansante" given by
thu young men Of st. Martinviile, be-
cause these young people were unfortu-
nate enough to commit the grave and
objectionable error Of Importing" mu-
sic for the occasion instead of turning
over a few shekels to the leader of our
much deserving local band.
Now Mr.. Editor no one believes more
streneously than we do In patrOnizing
home industry; but when that institu-
tiob becomes SO arbitrary az to presume
to dictate to the people. and abuse them,
editorially, In the unique paper of the
leader, even to the extent to dictate
when to applaud at his open air con-
certs, and complains Of lack demOnstra-
tiOn on the public's part. then 1t is time
to lay aside classical music and en-
ploy something less elevating.
We think that our local band is q va
liable ajunct to our town. as far as mu-
sic Is concerned. we do not think it can
be excelled in South Western Louisiana.
But the continual editorial harping
upon the merits of the band and the
ignorance OF the public and the assail-
Ing Of individual characters, is growing
not only mOn0tOnOus but annoying. II
We are not In error, the band or rather
the leader Of the band, has been at va
rance with almost every one that hap
ed to need his services az we'll as when
they happened MOTTO need them; for on the
one hand he is spare with his services on
the other be wishes to impose them.
For instance 10 the summer of 1896
Drs. Martin and Liable engaged his sen
vices to play for soiree, not thinking
1t necessary to mention implicitly that
the music was 10 be given lad libitum
until the end Of the dance at 12 or 1890
when excitement was at Its height and
mirth and merriment made themselves
felt to every one. LO and behold the
music ceased aud the invited guests had
to be turned out. Why. because the
leader abrogated the right. as h always
does. OF dictatorship.
An incident analogous to the above
happened to the board of trade and the
same institution. They are too numer-
Gus to mention. but We would like to
ask a few questions. Would it not be
better not to throw stones when you
live In glass house. how would 1t be to
analize the Evangeline?
Our friend expatiatss with emphasis
upon the Imported" music as routine.
But how does the music of the routiniers
compare with the same article critici-
sing them. We can safely say the music
OF the routiniers is superior to the jour.
nalism, for Of all MASTERPIECES of Addison
ian language this Is chef-d'oeuvre
that ought to be framed and
sent to the Paris Exposition to secure
the prize from the International press
association.
We would liketO ask il the supplement
10 that unique paper the Evangeline-I
entitled "Topsy" requires any knowledge |
of journalism or is it edited merely by
10 an observer and subscriber, we trust |
here are not many outside of our town,
t would seem that the whole paper is
edited by routine and not very accu-
ate routine at that and unlike the
'quack individual" it is not only
'adly edited this week and we'll the
lext but it is always in bad form and
ven the word music is seldom correctly
pelt.
Of course we know that all classical
musicians are as a rule very poor busi-
less man and although the gentleman
nay prove the exception to the rule, we
vii make him the following PROPOSE
lon. that II he can find another newspa-
or throughout the United States as full
typographical and photographed er-
'rs and as poorly edited. we will buy
Is plant from him and return same to
I'M as present and declare that after
u there are Others"
THE FIRM.