The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-05-12
THE
Attempted Deception
IN PROVTL ENCE.

Il
An attempt made by means of a sham trial, in
Providence. the 22d ut to iHjure the good repu-
taton, and check what was considered the danger
Gus popu ariy OF the Sanbon Steam Fre-proof Safe.
Messrs Valentine & Butler, whose safes SO notori-
ousy failed in the Portland and other fires, and in
every test tn the Steam safe, have teen determine
ed to make sort of show to regain ii possible,
their lot ground. They chose Providence tor the
field OF operations, where their safe aely suffered
a Notifying defeat, ond did their best to hOodwink
the public by bogus trial.
Read the Following Facts:
1. Messrs Val milne & Butler declined an invita-
ton to perfectly fair trial. Such trial would not
answer their purpose. They knew that in fair trial
they would again be defeated before. They knew
then, and now know perfectly well, that such safes
they sell to will not last half long in
fire the Steam Safe.
2. They made a safe specially tor the trial, not
like those they make to sell, thus deceiying the public
by showing false sample; and they admitted in pri
vate conversation that sale like the they burn
ed would be wet and unfit for use. Also analysis
OF portion of the filling this trial safe shows
that it emits caastic gas that would soon destroy
the iron OF safe. Ifalowed to make a safe for a
trial merely without regard t. its fitness for USE we
will agree to make one that will last in fire for
week, or any length of time But put on trial
only such safes as we offer to the public.
g. They did not allow the propretOrs of the Steam
Safe to have any part in this trial, them the
public to choose any part ofthe ommit:ee but select
ed men in their own interest, and had everything
their own way; notwith standing We offered to pay
the whole expense il they would accept our invita-
ton, and out-burn us in air trial. Ii they COULD
outburn in a fair trial why did they not do this
and save near $1,000 by it?.
4. They did not take the Steam Sale, which they
burned, directly from the agency the trial. but it
in the hands of their friends weeks, and in
their possession during the night before the tr
al
5. The Steam Safe burned was not in perfect con-
dtion. The water from the tubes flowed in streams
from the crack OF tie door after the fire lighted.
On opening the safe the cause was discovered. The
caps of part of the tubes found be fastened
with HARD SOLDER instead of the FUsIBLE METAL
which the company use for this purpose. Conse-
quently, the tubes burst and the water wasted.
Facts are stubborn things These are facts, and
they ell their own story and an enlightened commu-
nifty will understand it.
Imposition upon the Public.
The object of this exhibition was, Of course to
make it appear if possible that safes bought OF VAL
entne & Butler superior to the Steam Safe. 10
complIsh tbs purpose they exhibited JtIS3 sample
They fixed up a safe, for the trial. which was such
one as could not, ON account OF the mpraetcable
nature OF its filling, be put into USE ami LETT the pub
lie to infer that Itwas like those they make sel-a
cheat which the public will know how 10 APPRECIATE.
The fact to the real character OF this bO JUS sam
pie they admitted privately, and we give proof OF it.
Fatal Admissions.
The undersigned hereby certify, that at the time
of the trial of safes lin Providence, April % 1861
and subsequently, we heard members Of the firm
Valentine & Butler state, that the safe furnished by
them was not constructed like those they had made
hitherto sell to customers; that they dill pro-
pose to build safes like that for sac in brie that
it was made expressly tor The trial. and, moreover,
that the Steam safe was a great improvement ON
the usual plan oil constructing safes and That it could
easily burn up any Valentine q Butler sale they
had ever sod burn up any other safe OF any
make i'll the country. the safes being of equal size
and thickness ofwall, or words to that effect.
"WM. CARLTON IRELAND,
WALTER b. CHAPLIN,
"W. u. ROBINSON.
providence April 2s, 1861
Such was the trial of safes in Providence the ED
ut. More might be SAIL but this is enough. The
public will not be deceived by such shallow sJbter-
tuge 1t is only necessary that add the nyi alton
to fair trial which Valentine g. Butter declined be-
cause it was fair, and which now renew, and ask
that 1t be accepted.
Proposed Trial of Safes.
"To MEssRs. VALEN me & BUTLER, NEW
YoRK:-As 1t has been represented that he lae
unfair on our par, we invite you 10 JON us in secur-
ing trial in the fllowidg way, that shall be known
to be fair: You choose one man and We will another,
and these two shall select third who together shall
be committee 10 select the safes and superintend
the trial; and tat every body may know that they
obtain safes not tempered with, and not prepared
specially for the trial, but such the respective
parties make to sell, they shall select safes labout
equal dimensions, one OF your make and one of ours,
that were sold TO customers in the regular way OF
business previous to the time Of the Providence trial.
These they shall burn in fair and equal way before
Pr0Vidpncp he RI w
fails first shall pay the whole expense OF the trial.
we trust thar you VIII t. this method OF slts-
tying the public.
AMERICAN STEAM FIRE PROOF SAFE CON-
PANY.
"NEw YORK, April 7, 1861
The Sanborn Steam Safs, as has been proved again
and again, is superior, for fre-proof qualities, for
freedom from dampness, and other excelleneies, to
any her IN use and with the published certificates
OF dozen DISTINGUISHED committees of men of the
highest standing to this effect and pages Of the most
cordlal testimonials and the sasiac ion daily given
by hundreds thee safes in practical USE the Steam
Safe IS not likely to be annhilated Immediately by
such tricks and shams OF disap ronted rivals as the
late performance in Providence.
Full particulars OF the superiority OF the Ste am Safe
Will be furnished ON inquiry by mail or otherwise at
either of our offices.
AMERICAN STEAM F1RE-PRCoF SAFE co.
AZ Duane street, New York,
90 Sudbury street, Boston.