The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-11-24
Centennial Awards.

From the New York Tribune, Nov.l3
The newspapers have been lately teeming
with ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS advertisements re-
gardng the awards. These publications have
been skllfully prepared, 30 as to convey the
impression that this or that exhibitor has
really received tho 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 Centennial find
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 depart
ment has this system Of misrepresentation
been carried to so great an extent as that do
voted to piano fortes. There has been "a
war" between piano exhibitors since the Ex-
hibition opened, aud q regular sklrmlsh line OF
placards since tho awards were officially an
nounced. They have We'd with ea' other in
the use OF extravs CANT language to prove
their respective claims to distinction. The
most ingenious methods have been devised |;
dlsinterested correspondents, whose role oh.
ject WAS to INSTRUCT tho ignorant public, have
volunteered their services (for a considera-
tiou) eX- Judges Of awards, In the interest OF
certain piano manufacturers, have made pre-
tended revelation Of the &c crsts OF the jury
room, for the sake OF support ng the claims OF
their particular favortes, and lightning calcu-
lators have been appealed to and have found
convenient math, NAUTICAL rules by which to
clients, on the prelense Of the so-much-abused
MAXIM that figures cannot lie. All these
efforts while rdculc us to those acquainted
with the subject, have been attemp:ed to in
nuence tho uninitiated. In fact, the piano
men have left nothing nndone TO misl lead tho
public, and by their efforts have cause every
thing relating to pianos to be looked upon
with disrust, and have made themselves the
laughing stock Of the public. BY those means
injustice is not only done TO the public. but
to those who are not only entitled to the lead
ing position, but who were awarded it by the
judges. Your correspondent has taken the
trouble 10 submit all the various reports,
which are the basis Of the awards, to a careful
scrutiny and comparison, and the result is
that tie piauos of VIM. Knabe 4. Co. arc
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 an
nouncement, although they were decreed the
highest honors in the piano departme mt, they
have modestly remained in the background.
1t is fortunate that the judges, in preparing
the Knabe report, go framed 1t as to leave no
doubt about their pre-eIninence. They espe-
tially commended ell their four styles OF pianos,
concert grand, parlor grand, square and up
rights, and accorded them the praise of I'M
equaled excellence in all the details of perfect
Instruments. The report is plain, strsight-
forward and comprehensive, specifying ali the
elements OF merit which it is possible for the
best piano forte to possess-power, richness
and singiny quality of tone ease and elasticity
of Touch effectiveness Of action; soidity
and originality Of construction and excellence
of workmanship. BY comparing it with the
other reports in the same department, even
the most skeptical will acknowledge that no
stronger language could have been used to ex-
press the unanimous approval of the judges.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. IL, 1876.