Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-10-19

subject Of interest to the uninihated yet
the war waged among the Sewing Machine
manufacturers as 70 the relative merits and
claims on public patronage and attention,
have rendered II, for the time being, one of
Importance to the whole community, and of
sufficient consideration to occupy a prominent
place in the columns of the public press.
The fact is, we are all ofus some way con-
cerned in ascertaining which may be the
best machine now offered in the market, for
there is scarcely a family or individual that
does not TO a greater or lesser extent trust
to the perfection of mechanical invention, as
applied to the art OF sewing, for the certainty
ofreliance on the durability of nearly every
garment in common use.
The controversy has been carried on 80
openly and conducted so ably, as to enable
almost any one to arrive at just and ac-
curate comprehension OF the matter at issue,
and the general result seems to be an almost
universal judgment in favor OF the machine
made by Grover & Baker; judgment that
from present appearances, no composition in
the field seems likely to unsettle.
Simply because the experiments made by
professional operators, and the experience Of
private purchasers, all go to prove that the
Grover & Baker Machine is 80 far superior 70
any other ever constructed, as to render selec-
ton merely e question Of public information
on the merits of the case.
It must be evident to the least intelligent
capacity, that a knot firmly tied and fastened
is more sure to hold than q loop, or series OF
loops, with a straight thread running through
them, the end left loose; and this is in its
most simply practical form, just the point al
| issue between the advocates Of the Grover i
Baker and shuttle-stitches."
The Grover & Baker stitch is the firm and
lasting knot; the shuttle-stitch is the series OF
| loops with q straight thread running through
| them.
Grover Il Bakers Machines work, in their
peculiar stitch, and fabrics .ut together by
it, may wear out and drop to pieces from
original weakness or hard usage, but come
| apart or give way at the seams they can not;
they will hold together when the cloth or
calico around them hangs in rags and tat
| ters.
The Sewing Machine in its crudest shape
was great boon--a marvellous agent in the
| great work of civilization. At once the
| good friend of the poor seaustress and the
| faithful servant of the wealthy household, it
promises to bring both classes to that near
| level where an approach TO similar habits,
wants, and comforts lays the true foundation
| ofa system in which all ranks aud conditions
aspire to be equally free, happy, ana conten-
ted
But, unfortunately some of the first in
! ventors of Sewing Machines, and some Of the
! large capitalists who subsequently undertook
their extensive manufacture, were content to
/ let their machines remain in a state of partial
perfection. They found that the great rush
| for any sewing Machine was rendering them
rapidly rich without futher exertions. So
they quietly rested from their labors and
garnered in tie spontaneous harvest not
| thinking that the field was but beginning to
| be cultivated, and that more energetic en-
tegprise than theirs might by pursuing bold
and liberal policy, reap handsomer reward
than had ever come to them. Such has,
however, been the case.
While Messrs. Wheeler & Wilson and their
less distinguished competitors were glorify-
ing themselves over the lucrative demand for
their " shuttle-stitch" machines, Mr.. William
o. Grover was patiently and conscientiously
seeking to perfect a machine by which to
overcome the serious objections made to that
stitch on the score of its insecurity and want
Of strength and elasticity.
Mr.. Grover perfected machine which
achieved these great results-5trength securi-
| ty, and elasticity of seam in 1851, and from
that time his progress in the business has
been an uninterrupted career of mechanical
and pecuniary triumph Associated in the
firm Of Grover, Baker Co, he has introduc-
| ed sewing machines Of mere perfect construc-
I all ..th
rers put together; and there is little doubt
1 that as the Grover K Baker machine becomes
universally known and appreciated, it will
gradually and inevitably monopolize the pa
Ironage of the whole civilized world.
Ne Sis. Grover & Baker though, were moi
satisfied with their first invaluable improve.
ment, which alone was sufficient TO make
their machines the very best presented fol
public approval; but, having distanced all ri
vals, they went to work to surpass themselves
and thei- patent of 1851 was rapidly followed
by other patents in the years OF 1852, 1876;
and 1858, each of which wss granted fO
some new device which assisted in the attain
ment of their great aim in business-tht
manufacture of a sewing machine which
should be, not merely almost, bat entire per
fiction.
In this object they finally succeeded whel
they secured their patent for the {. nOiseless'
machine, which not only runs with create
ease and economy, and with the certainty 0
producing neater and more enduring result
than any other machine, but, at the sam
time, is so managed as to do away with tn
irritating rumble and clicking that had form
erly rendered the work-room of large shiT
factory the pandemonium of bewilderin
| noise, and the presence of machine in a pr
vate house little else than a nuisance to a
who CHANGED to be in any room near that i
which it was put in operation.
Of course, Grover L Bakers machine
| have their detractors. Weare told that thei
famous Grover & Baker stitch" is absolute
Iy $50 strong that it cannot be ripped at all
The admission of its strength is honest, at a
events; and, as to the impossibility of riI
sing, it is true no amount of wear can harI
it; but the instruction given to each pun
chaser will enable a child to eradicate falls
seam, or take out old seams in articles tbs
n require altering, with the utmost qulckne:
and facility.
], As to the statements hat it necessitates Il
consumption Of a greater quantity of thres
, than other machines, actual comparison prov
the contrary. In the first place, unlike 9TH
- machines, those of Grover & Baker can
worked without any appreciable ''waste." -
In a continuous straight seam any number
separate articles can be stitched, one after Il
other, and afterward separated without sto
ping to fasten off; as in series Of shirt front
for instance, on which, with any stitch b
Grover & Bakers, so much time is throw
away in securing the ends by hand with
common needle.
I'd And then it has been found that N give
amount of average sewing the Grover & B
ker stitch does not consume yard more
thread to form its firm and,perfect lock, thi
the shuttle stitch requires to take up its loo
and destructible loop, SO great ia the was
at the end Of seams.
In brief, Messrs. Grover & Baker ha
sought and challenged comparison in eve
detail with the machines of other mania
,,d -vbaravav oOr1nariuOu has hni