Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-11-29
Centennial Awards.

With 1ngenlOusly WOrded Advertisements re-
garding the awards. These publications have
been skillfuily 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 con-
fused the reader. Visitors at The Centennial
find themselves bewildered by the adverse
claims to distlnctio which they find placard-
ed on every hand, and they do not know
which way to turn to discover the truth. In no
department has this system of msrepresenta-
ton been carried to so great an extent as that
devoted to piano fortes. There has been "a
war" between piano exhibitors since the Ex-
hibition opened, and regular skirmish line
of placards since the awards were ofhc;allyan-
nonnced. They have We'd with each other in
the use of extravaganza language to prove
their respective claims to distinction. The
most ingenious methods have been devised;
disinterested correspondents, whose sole OBJ
ject was to instruct the ignorant public, have
volunteered their services (fOr consldera-
tion); ex-judges Of awards, III the interest Of
certain piano manufacturers, have made pre-
tended revelations of the Secrets OF the jury
room, for the sake of supporting the claims OF
their particular favorites and lightning CAL
culators have been appealed to and have
found convenient mathematical rules by
which to establish absolutely the supremacy
Of their clients, OF the pretense of the so much
abused maxim that figures can't lie. ALI these
Efforts, while ridiculous to those acquainted
with the subject, have been attempted to in
huence the UNFINISHED. 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 I'M ustice is not only done to the
public, but to those who are not only en-
Titled to the leading position, but who were
awarded it by the judges. Your correspond
ent has taken the trouble to submit all the
various r. ports, which are the basis of the
awards. to a careful scrutiny and compari-
son, and the result is that the pianos of
VIVA. 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
Just award; and since the official an
nouncement, although they were decreed
the highest honors in the Piano Department,
they have modestly remsined in the back
ground. 1t is fortunate that ths judges in
preparing the kuabe report s@ framed it as
to leive no doubt about their pre- enlinence.
They especially commended all their fou1
styles of pianos, concert grand, parlor grand,
square and uprights, and accorded them the
praise Of unequalad exc slIence in all the de-
tails of perfect instruments. The report is
plain, straightforward and comprehensive,
specifying all the elements Of merit which
it is possible for the best piano forte to pos
sess-power, richness and singing quality of
tone; ease and elasticity of touch; effective
ness of action; solidity and originality OF
construction and excellence of workmanship
By comparing it with the other reports in
the same Department. even the most skep-
LA I, 1or,
guage could have been used to express the
unanimous approval of the judges
PHILADELPHIA. Nov. IL, 1876.
THERE can be no mistake about it,
" Matchless" plug tobacco takes the lead.
Old fine cut chewers say it gives better salts
faction and is cheaper than fine cut. You
the words, "Matchless ?. T. Co." OH a
wooden tag. Try it once and you will al
ways chew it. Manufactured by the Pion eer
Tobacco Company, New York.
ONE of the teachers in q Methodist
Sunday school was stumped" badly
Sunday afternoon during the services
of the hour. He was teaching the in
FAINT class and after explaining the les
son as well as he knew how, he threw
open the question box, fguratively
speaking, and told the children they
might ask him any questions that sug-
gested themselves. He was Immediate
ly gratifed by a seven-year-old girl,
who Immediately piped out: Who's
elected ?" He couldn't tell.
HAVE you ague in the face; and is it
badly swollen? Have YOU severe pain in
the chest, back, or side? Have you cramps
or pains in the stomach or bowels? Have
you bilious collie or severe gripping pains :?
If 50, use Jo!,as0aa's Aaaony1ae Liqainaent in
ternally.