Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-04

\A the Presidents Own. comes
NV marching down Pennsyl-
vania avenue In advance
Of the motor car bearing
the President and the President-elect-
that's the grand moment for the
throngs which line that historic
thoroughfare.
For since 1901 this group of musicians
has proclaimed the approach of the
moment when authority vested in one
man passes by law into the keeping Of
another. For many years the Marine
Band bore the burden Of inspiring the
citizens of the Federal territory with the
proper spirit when the Inauguration day
rolled around. Although much musical
aid has been proffered in later years,
March 4 brings up the vision of this
marvellous collection of musicians in
full action, escorting the Chief Magis-
trate to the Capitol, playing In the
interim between his taking the oath
and his grafton from the steps Of the
legislative halls and later at the review
of the visiting troops. This impressive
band has played for every President ex-
cept Washington, and If the opinions
of those who knew his traits of char
acter are to be accepted he would not
have been impressed by French horns,
clarinets and such fol-de-rols. He
much preferred the fife and drums, the
music to which the Revolutionary SOL
diers went into action and which kept
up the morale Of the Army during the
bitterest Of those waiting years.
q military parade, and what passed for
a band, was In the Spring Of 1897 Gen.
Washington was returning to Mount
Vernon from Philadelphia after he had
taken part in the induction Of the Sec
ond President, John Adams. He made
the journey by horse. When he reached
the District line James Hoban, archi-
tect of the White House, who was in
charge Of many laborers, organized his
men into some Semblance OF local
militia. At their head with about 10
f1fers and drummerS, he met the former
President not far from Bladensburg and
escorted him to Suffers Tavern, where
he spent the night. Next morning the
escort was again on hand to follow
Gen. Washington to the ferry and to
make a tremendous rafting Of inStru-
ments when the journey to the Virginia
side was under way. At Alexandria
local company took over the escort. and
the muses. as the flies and drums
were called, accompanied the carriage,
which had been sent from Mount Yer
non, quite distance along the river.
Plans Take Form.
It has been recorded by all CO.
temporary writer's that about 1785 and
for the ensuing 10 years every soldier,
sailor and marine who had served In
the Revolutionary army was regarded
merely as a man out of a job and it
was not until July IL, 1898, that Presl-
dent Adams was moved to sanction the
establishment Of the Marines. AL
most at once the organizing of a band
was considered and after many efforts.
Maj. william Ward Burrows, South
Carolinian by birth but Philadel-
phian by adoption. who was the first
commandant Of the new Marine Corps.
presidential approval to begin the
formation of "musics" after a more
elaborate plan than the fife and drum
Of the Revolutionary heroes.
Washington Irving describes Mai.
Burrows as "a lawyer, an organizer and
q gentleman Of accomplished mind and
of polished manner" He was also q
musician and could help train any one
with but half an ear for harmony.
Headquarters of the Marine Corps In
Philadelphia were under a canvas out
toward Fairmount Park and q smaller
tent served for the "musics."
The Capital City takes particular
pride In the fact that the bands friend
and able supporter was Benjamin
Stoddert, first Secretary Of the Navy
and the only cabinet oficer who can
claim the District Of Columbia as a
legal residence. Although In the early
records he Is called resident Of Mary
land. this Is not exact. His home was
on Prospect avenue in Georgetown.
where he had extensive warehouses on
the river front, and he had resided In
this place previous to the passing Of
the old city from the Jurisdiction Of
Maryland to that Of the Federal Gov
eminent.
Approves Of Band.
Mr.. Stoddert approved OF a Marine
band which should always reside at the
seat of Government and be at the dis
posal CT the President and play for his
pleasure and for that Of other exalted
officials. Moreover, he was responsible