The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-11-23
Centennial Awards.

Iron the New York Tribune. November 1871
The -ewspape have been lately teeming
with ingeniously worded advertisements re-
garding the awards. These publications have
been sBillfully prepared, so as to convey the
impression that this or that exhibitor has
really received the highest and best award.
Thus, instead of informing the public as to
the true state of affairs, they have simply
confused the reader. Visitors at the Gen.
tennial 6nd themselves bewildered by the
adverse claims to distinction which they find
placarded on every hand, and they do not
know which way to turn to discover the
truth. In no department has this system of
Misrepresentation been carried to so great an
extent as that devoted to piano fortes. There
mas been "a war" between piano exhibitors
since the Exhibition opened, and a regular
skirmish line of placards since the awards
were officially announced. They have Wed
with each other in the use of extravagant
language to prove their respective claims to
distinction. The most ingenious methods
nave been devised disinterested correspond
ents, whose sole object was to instruct the
ignorant public, have volunteered their
services (for a consideration); ex-judges of
awards, in the interest of certain piano man.
ufacturers, have made pretended revelations
of the secrets of the jury-room, for the sake
of supporting the claims of their particular
favorites, and lightning calculators have
been appealed to and nave found convenient
mathematical rules by which to establish alb
solutely the supremacy of their clients, on
the p~retense of the so much abused maxim
hat figures cannot lie. ALI these efforts,
while ridiculous to those acquainted with the
subject, AVE been attempted to influence
the uninitiated. In fact, the piano men
have left nothing undone to mislead the
public, and by their efforts have caused
everything relating to pianos to be looked
upon with distrust, and have made them.
selves the laughing stock of the public. By
these means injustice is not only done to the
public, but to those who are not only emit.
tied to the leading position, but who were
awarded it by the judges. Your cores
pendent has taken the trouble to submit all
the various reports, which are the basis of
the awards, to a careful scrutiny and com.
parison, and the result is that the pianos of
VIM. Knabe & Co. are found to head the list.
This house, from the commencement of the
Exhibition, relied solely upon the merits OF
their instruments to secure them a Just
award; and since the official announcement
although they were decreed the highest hon.
ors in the Piano Department, they have
modestly remained in the background. 1t is
fortunate that the judges, in preparing the
knabe report, SO framed it as to leave nc
doubt about their prominence. They es.
pecially commended all their four styles Of
pianos, concert grand, parlor grand, square
and uprights, and accorded them the praise
of u~nequaled excellence in all the details Of
perfect instruments. The report is plain
straightforward, and comprehensive, speci
flying all the elements of merit which it il
possible for the best piano forte to possess
power, richness, and singing quality of toni
ease and elasticity of touch effectiveness o.
action; solidity and originality of construc
ton, and excellence OF workmanship. By
comparing it with the other reports in the
same department, even the most skeptica
will acknowledge that no stronger Language
could have been used to express the unani
nous approval of the judges.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. IL, 1876.