1900

McKinley-Roosevelt Campaign

Willis G. Bowland, having been elected President in December, 1899, go to things to moving, and having secured handsomely fitted rooms in the Lazarus Block, (the first home the club ever had), proceeded to "whoop things up" for the campaign. The club sang at the state convention on April 24th. This has been an annual occurrence for some years.

When it was announced that McKinley was nominated for President and that the dashing Teddy Roosevelt, of New York, and San Juan hill was his running mate, the fire of enthusiasm immediately began to glow, and the fight was on and Glee Club was in it up to the chin.

The principal song that year was "The Band Played On," and is as follows:

THE BAND PLAYED ON

Oh, Mac we will have for our next President,

And the Band plays on,

For he is the man whom the nation adores,

And the Band plays on.

Free Trade and Free Silver are now quite exploded,

The people need fear no alarm,

Protection, Sound Money, we can’t do without,

Bill Bryan is trying the people to fool

And the Band plays on.

About the Philippines and Imperial rule

And the Band plays on.

Prosperity’s come and business is bright,

The panic and hared times are gone,

We will treat the Philipinos all right,

And the Band plays on.

McKinley well knows we have something to do,

And the Band plays on.

Besides Aguinaldo and his murderous crew,

And the Band plays on.

The Manufacturer, the Laborer, the Farmer and

Merchant must all be protected once more,

And William McKinley must be re-elected for four years more.

The club adopted a very unique uniform for this campaign composed of a rough rider hat and hickory shirt with bandana Handkerchief around the neck. This was chosen on account of Teddy’s experience as a rough rider in the Spanish American War.

After the triumphant election of McKinley and Roosevelt, preparations began to be made to attend the inauguration. A very spectacular uniform, consisting of purple lined cape and a fez was adopted, and the boys looked like real troubadours.

Their experiences in Washington were of the usual pleasant nature in spite of the fact that they were quartered over the Police Station.

INAUGURAL GRAND CONCERT

In Honor of the United States Army

Represented by Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles and Staff, Tues-

day morning, 10:30, March 5, 1901; United States Marine

Band, Wm. Santlemann, Director, and the famous

Republican Glee Club, of Columbus, Ohio.

	PROGRAMME 3
1. Overture--"The Merry Wives of Windsor"		Nicolai
2. (a) "Mexican Serenade Liela" 2. (b) March-- "Hail to the Spirit of Liberty"		Chambers Sousa
3. The Chapel		Kreutzner
4. Waltz-- "Vienna Blood"		Strauss
5. Solo for Cornet--Fantasia, "Un perel d’ Ocean"		Hoch
6. The Happy Wanderer	. Musician, Otto Lehnert	Zollner
7. "Lieut. Gen. Nelson A. Miles"		Wight
8. Music de Ballet "Coppelia"		Delibes
9. Excerpts from "A Runaway Girl"		Caryll
10. Stand by the Flag	. Republican Glee Club	Arr. by W. H. Lott
11. March-- "General Heywood’s"		Santelmann
12. National Song "America"

INAUGURAL GRAND CONCERT

In Honor of the Congress of the United States

Represented by the Vice President and the Speaker of the House, Tues-

day evening, 8:00, March 5, 1901; United States Marine

Band, Wm. Santlemann, Director, and the famous

Republican Glee Club, of Columbus, Ohio.

	PROGRAMME 4
1. Overture-- "William Tell"		Rossini
2. Suite-- "Scenes Pittoresque" 2 (a) March 2.(b) Aair de Ballet 2. (c) Fete Bohemme		Massenet
3. The Artillerist’s Oath	. Republican Glee Club	C. F. Adams
4. Waltz-- "The Debutante"		Santlemann
5. Saxophone Solo-- "Fantasia Carnival de Venice"		Dessormes
6. March-- "The Man Behind the Gun"		Sousa
7. Hark the Merry Drum	. Republican Glee Club	Krugh
8. Grand Fantasia-- "The Valkyre"		Wagner
9. Slavonic Dance, "No. 1"		Dvorak
10. Characteristic-- "The Coon Band Contest"		Pryor
11. Campaign Song-- "The Three Bills"		J. A. Parks
12. Jolly Fellows’ Waltz		Ziehrer
13. Patriotic Fantasia-- "The Voice of Our Nation"		Santlemann

 

McKinley’s Death

On September 14th, 1901, McKinley was foully assassinated at Buffalo. The Club passed appropriate resolutions upon the death of their associate member. They also held a public memorial service at which were sung his favorite hymns, "Lead Kindly Light and "Thy Will be Done," which was largely attended.

1903

In 1903, the Party nominated Myron T. Herrick, of Cleveland, as our standard bearer, and of course the club was on the job in its best form and contributed its might to help make his election sure. The club took part in the inauguration ceremonies as usual. Mr. Herrick honored the club by appointing one of its most prominent members, Tod B. Galloway, as his private secretary. Herrick was a candidate again in 1905, and in spite of the splendid battle by the Republicans in which the Glee Club took its usual part, he was defeated. He has since become one of the most prominent men of the nation.

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1904

Early in 1904, the Club attempted its greatest musical feat and arranged a prize contest for choruses given at the World’s Fair in St. Louis. After a hard winter’s work, under Director Simpson the Club went to the Fair, when it developed that all the other contestants had withdrawn for various reasons. The Glee Club rendered its songs in such splendid and successful manner that the Fair authorities were more than pleased and awarded them a prize of five hundred dollars.

GRAND MALE CHORUS AND ORGAN CONCERT

St. Louis Exposition, July 28, 1904, 4:30 P. M.

By the Republican Glee Club, Harold G. Simpson, Director; Charles

Galloway, Organist; Thomas S. Callis, Pianist

For this concert, the Club was paid five hundred dollars and given tickets of admission for the week.

	PROGRAMME - 5
1. The Star Spangled Banner		Key
2, The Crusaders		E.A. MacDonald
3. The Artillerist's Oath		C.F. Adams
4. O, Isis, O. Osiris	. Solo by H.W. Frillman	Mozart
5. Hark, the Trumpet Calleth		Dudley Buck
6. The Long Day Closes		A.S. Sullivan
7. Solo -- "Thine"	. By Wm. R. Reed	C. Bohm
8. The Word Went Forth		F. Mendelssojn

H. W. Frillman was President of the Club during this period.

1904

Roosevelt and Fairbanks

__________

The Club under President H. W. Frillman and Musical Director H. G. Simpson was most effective in this campaign, having been recruited to a large membership, and composed almost entirely of highly trained singers, did splendid work. The section plan was in vogue and there was hardly any kind of meeting held in the city or county that hadn’t a delegation of the Glee Club to help them out. The Club adopted this year the brown uniform still worn, a double breasted box coat, with large pearl buttons and a military cap o match, and have always made a fine appearance in it.

Among the many good songs of the campaign the one known as "Tell Us When You’re Ready, Teddy" was clearly the favorite, and was as follows:

TELL US WHEN YOU’RE READY, TEDDY

When Teddy was down at San Juan,

A-fighting the proud Spanish Don,

And heard the mad pop of the guns on the top

Of the hill that the forts stood upon,

He said to his boys: "This is hot;

We’re likely to die on the spot!"

But they gave him a cheer that was bully to hear--

And at once this brave answer he got:

CHORUS

"Tell us when you’re ready, Teddy--

Ready for the fray!

We’ll take part in all the fighting--help you win the day!

Wild and woolly, hard to curry--

We’ll be there, you needn’t worry,

If you tell us when you’re ready, Teddy--

Ready for the fray.

2

When Teddy makes ready to bat,

He takes off his coat and his hat;

Then lines a hot one, and he scores a home-run--

And the players all know where we’re at.

But Democrats chasing the ball,

Trip up one another and fall,

And people exclaim: "Hully-gee, what a game!

Why those Democrats can’t play at all!"

CHORUS

"Tell us when you’re ready, Teddy--

Ready for the fray!

We’ll be there to do the shouting--we know what you’re at!

Wild and woolly, hard to curry--

We’ll be there, you needn’t worry,

If you tell us when you’re ready, Teddy--

Ready at the bat.

Now Teddy’s expecting our aid

In a game such as never was played;

Each player malign in the enemy’s nine

Is attempting to make him afraid.

But then he’ll stand up to the fight--

Stand up for the truth and the right;

And each loyal friend of our hero should send

Him this message of manhood and might:

CHORUS

"Tell us when you’re ready, Teddy--

Ready for the fray!

We’ll be there to do the voting on election day!

Wild and woolly, hard to curry--

We’ll be there, you needn’t worry,

If you tell us when you’re ready, Teddy--

Ready for the fray.

GRAND CONCERT

Chase Theatre, Washington, D.C., Sunday afternoon, March 5, 1905,

By the Republican Glee Club, of Columbus, Ohio,

Harold G. Simpson, Director

Mr. Chase gave the Glee Club five hundred dollars for this Concert

PROGRAMME - 6

1. The Star Spangled Banner		Key
2. How Many Hired Servants, "The Prodigal Son"		Sullivan
	Wm. Reed
3. Hark, The Trumpet Calleth		Dudley Buck
	Republican Glee Club
4. If With All Your Hearts, "Eliza"		Mendelssohn
	Charles Dutcher
5. The Long Day Closes		Sullivan
6. Sing Me to Sleep		Edwin Greene
	C. S. Greenlee
7.a Oh, Mister Parker		L. C. Smith
7.b Tell Us When You’re Ready, Teddy		J. Ball Naylor
	Republican Glee Club
8. The Song That My Heart is Singing		Hawley
	Wm. Reed
9.a Artillerist’s Oath		Adams
9.b The Winds are all Hushed		Swiss Serenade
	Republican Glee Club
10.a Afterwards Love		Oppenheim
10.b When Thou Art Nigh		Oppenheim
	Charles Dutcher
11. The Lost Chord, adapted by Brewer		Sullivan
	Republican Glee Club

Thomas S. Callis and Clarence Metcalf at the piano

The Club went to the inauguration of Roosevelt and Fairbanks over one hundred strong headed by James A Williams as President, he having been elected the previous December, while H. G. Simpson was Musical Director. They do say that the genial Jimmy had an attack of chestivitis when he stood up beside the President and introduced the boys at the White House reception.

The Club was handsomely entertained by Mrs. Hanna, Senator Dick, Senator Foraker, Vice-President Fairbanks and Senator Warner, of Missouri.

On the afternoon of March second, 1905, the club visited Mount Vernon, and sang Nearer My God To Thee at the tomb of Washington.

 

1908

Taft and Sherman Campaign

In 1908, the Glee Club made a decidedly new departure in its political work, when it took part in the nominating campaign for Wm. Howard Taf. The Taft campaign was languishing in Chicago, where the National Republican Convention waw being held, and at the request of Charles P. Taft the club went to Chicago to try and put some life into the Taft movement, and the way they did it certainly put heart into the Taft Republicans. They sang at all the hotels and headquarters, and finally, getting access to the convention on the plea of songing the "Star Spangled Banner," they sang a lot of Taft songs which set the convention wild with entusiasm, and the result was that Taft was nominated.

The Club attended the campaign opening at Youngstown as well as the acceptance meeting in Cincinnati. It also took a most prominent part in the campaign, pursuing the usual sectional plan of work. Among its manyy campaign songs, "Billy Taft" was easily the favorite, and was as follows:

B-I-L-L-Y T-A-F-T

1

Who is the man that will be our next president? Billy Taft, yep--that’s he.

Who is the man that will make all this land content? Billy Taft, yep--that’s he.

For he’s from Ohio, great Ohio

Where buckeyes and Presidents flourish and grow,

What candidate like the one from the Buckeye State?

Billy Taft, yep--that’s he.

CHORUS

B-I- double L-y, T-a-f-t spells Bil-ly Taft,

Sure he has the qualities within him,

Divil a man can say a word agin him.

B-i- double-l-y T-a-f-t you see,

Is a name that great fame has ever been connected with

Billy Taft, yep--that’s he.

2

Who is the man that wins out by diplomacy? Billy Taft, yep--that’s he.

Who is the man that kings have been glad to see? Billy Taft, yep--that’s he.

Tho’ bloodless the victories he’s won,

Most wonderful things from their winning have sprung,

Who is the man that has shown he’s a diplomat? Billy Taft, yep--that’s he.

3

Hark! ‘tis a voice from the Democratic burial ground: Bryan, that’s he.

Ghosts of his fads and fancies are fitting round; Bryan, that’s he.

‘Tis sad for the donkey and William J. B.

‘Tis sad for Old Lady Democracy

Who is the man that will send them to Bally-Hack? Billy Taft, yep--that’s he.

Of Course the club attended the inauguration, Brother Charley contributing $300 to help pay expenses. Nobody who was there will ever forget the night before the day of the parade. It was SOME blizzard, but the Glee Club was in it clear through. On the night before, after a splendid reception at the Worthington’s home and Ned Taylor’s home, we went to the capital to serenade the prince of stalwarts, Uncle Joe Cannon and the grand old boy, although it was the busiestno\ight of the year, took time to come out and see us and make a little speech orf appreciation. President Tafdt and his charming wife received us at the White House in the most cordial manner. This was the last reception of the club in that historical building. When it is remembered that of the receptions to the club that were seven in number, six of them had been by Ohio men, counting Grant, one can easily understand that we felt pretty much at home around there.

 

INAUGURAL GRAND CONCERT

In honor of the United States Navy

Friday afternoon, 2:15, March 5, 1909. Music by United States Marine

Band, Lieutenant W. H. Santelmann, Director, and the

Republican Glee Club, of Columbus, Ohio.

PROGRAMME - 7

1. Overture--"Tannhauser"		Wagner
2. (a) The Star Spangled Banner 2. (b) My Love is like the Red, Red Rose		Key Blake
3. Suite 1, Arlisienne 3. (a) Prelude Allegro disico. 3. (b) Minnetto Allegro groscoso. 3. (c) Adagietto, Adigia. 3. (d) Caritan Allegretto Moderato		Bizet
4. Cornet Solo--Fantasie Le Reve D’Amour		Haydn and Millard
	Mr. Arthur Wetcombe
5. (a) My Flo 5. (b) The Rosary		Snyder Nevin
	Republican Glee Club
6. Grand Military Tattoo		Rogan
7. Humoresque, I’m Afratid to go Home in the Dark		Lempe
8. The Stars and Stripes Forever		Sousa
9. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2		Liszt

1912

Taft and Sherman Campaign

In 1912, a tremendous fight took place in the National Convention in Chicago, and while Taft was finally nominated caused the most serious split was made in the party, and the insurgents, under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt, calling themselves Progressives, so divided the vote that Woodrow Wilson, a democrat, was elected.

The Glee Club went to Chicago to help put Taft over and did it. They worked as hard as ever during the campaign but were doomed to meet defeat.

This brings us to the end of the presidential campaigns in which this notable organization has taken such a prominent part. How well they have played that part, the foregoing brief history shows. It is enough to say that the present club is just as full of vim and vigor and determination in the advancement of the cause of music and Republicanism as any or all of its predecessors.

Recurring again to State campaigns, we find that I 1907, Uncle Andy Harris who had served out Pattison’s un-expired term, he as Lieutenant Governor, having succeeded to the Governorship upon the death of Governor Pattison, was the Republican candidate, but was doomed to defeat after a noble fight in a campaign in which the Glee Club took its usual active part.

In 1909 W. G. Harding was our standard bearer against the re-douted Harmon who had defeated Harris two years before. He ran a long race and went down to defeat. In 1912, General R. B. Brown, of Zanesville, was pitted against James M. Cox, and after a vigorous campaign along with W. H. Taft, he went down to defeat. The Glee Club was in it as usual.

 

1914

In 1914, the virile and aggressive young leader, Frank B. Willis, was chosen our standard bearer by a State primary for the first time in history. He made a gallant and winning campaign against Jimmy Cox. The Glee Club was in the thickest of the fray as usual, and after a well earned victory took part in the inaugural ceremonies.

Associate Members

Since the organization of the Republican Glee Club, of Columbus, Ohio, the plan of having Associate Members has been in vogue. It was found necessary to have some one to help pay the expenses of the organization. The active members not only gave their time and talent to the cause but they paid dues as well. This amount was found not to be sufficient to pay the increased expenses incurred in the maintenance of headquarters and the myriad of other legitimate expenses, so it was decided to take in members who would have all the privileges of active members, but would be required to do no work. The Club has always had a goodly number of friends who were glad to assist the good cause to the extent of an annual contribution. Among them have been the most prominent Republicans of Ohio as well as some from a few other states. McKinley, Hanna, Foraker, Herricj\k, both Tafts, Daugherty and many others. The officers of the present Club in addition to those mentioned in the foregoing pages, were as follows:

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