The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-20
THE sEwING.MACHINE WAR.
The Important Part Sustained in II D.
the Chicago Institution.
How the Wilson company Assisted In
Smashing the Monopoly--.A
Public BenefactOr.
From the Chicago Times. May 81

tErOm the OHlChBU Almeps HuJ 1J
The collapse OF the unholy monopoly in sewing
msohine patents has been announced within the
mast few days, and song OF Thanksgiving tbe'eat
has arisen from press and people up and down
the land. The Companies vitality interested in
preserying few ancient devices common to all
seving-machines, fought persistently in favor oil
extending the patents, and piled Up huge sumo
of money to carry out their object. But the good
sense Of those in authority at Washington, backed
by the unsnswerable arguments OF an honest
manufacturer and the wholesale demand Of the
nation, conquered. and the decision, from which
there 10 no appeal, has gone forth. Hereafter
aewinp-machines must take their place with
other staple commodities, and by Q mpetitive
ercellence OF manufacture and fairness OF price
earn whatever public favor they Obtain.
or the well. nigh innumerable atrocities perpe-
trated by the monopollsts under the Old regime.
we have neither time nor space here to speak 1t
was mammoth system OF plumber, IN which two
or three companies robbed alike the helpless
public and such inventors as succeeded In inn
proving upon the fossil patents. They made
ether companies contribute to their already
rorred Golfers, and levied assessments 80 pitt.
II ~ that nearly everything in the shape OF
oomnetition was out Of the question. They had
4 tyrsnt law behind them. and like tyrants they
used II; the buyers OF mach mes, Oh COURSE Deins
One great organization alone refused to be
ooaxed or driven inside this citadel of monopoly
One heavy company alone fought the gigantic
swinde tooth and nail for years, refusing utterly
70 be levied upon by the ring, and selling It's ex
S,ellent machines ut rates so decent that the ex-
tnrt'onists ragged and their minions imagined vain
things. =
Chicago ecure in the knowledge that It's pro.
ducts we're unapproachable IN all essentials OF
excellence. derlded every attempt made to corn
pel IL to knuckle TO the monopoists. Doing BUS
sness on vast capital, and having ct Its head
man clear headed in the right, and just obstinate
enough to enjoy good fight IN COCO cause,
the Wilson Company Was the worst sort or q
thorn In the side OF the sewing. aohine swindle
from the very outset. Mr.. w. Ct. Wilson, its
president, wouldn't pay tribute; wouldn't keep
mp the gouge price Of machines, and wonldn,e Dc
iness and geographical centre Of the country .
trade for his company's headquarters csgo-
he soon secured nine ten his Of the public patron
age and the whole Of the public esteem. de de-
him for the use OF devices which he knew were
held by illegally. extended patents, and which he
further knew ought TO be common property ~
much a. the air and tho sunshine.
They tried to discipline him in the conrts, and
we have recently referred to certain buncembe
suits at law brought by the Eastern cabal to
compel him to Join their nefsrious ring. But he
laughed ut lawsuits and hit viciousy back by
showing up the animus OF the assaults and by join-
ting directly in the work OF defeating tne attempts
10 again extend the worn-out patents. Indeed,
Il in a matter oil common knowledge at Washing.
ton and elsewhere that the Wilson company did
more than any other one cause to expose the
folly and wickedness of the monopolists' claims,
and to upset forever the attempt to re-forge the
chains Of extortion.
Now that the national government has refused
10 longer shield these harpies the Wilson Com
pany IL specially favored. Owning certain features
OF conceded superiority In its machines, which
cannot be initiated; using nothing but the finest
of material, advantageously located IN respect TO
shipping facilities, and blessed with generous
financial resources, it Ia likely to make itself more
Of favorite than ever with the people and more
disagreeable than ever to ia enemies.
AZ in the past, Mr.. Wilson will continue to al
low his peerless machines to be sold on credit as
IN accommodation to responsible parties. The
poor work woman and others to whom good
sewing machine is an imperative necessity as a
naesns OF earning a livelihood, will also continue
to be cared for; being allowed TO purchase the
Wilson machines ct reduced rates by instailment
payments. Every care - exercised by Mr.. Will
son and his managers in his choice OF canvsssers,
dead beat" agents never receiving chance to
handle his machines, and only trustworthy men
bel e permitted TO canvass.
This company being q natural leader In fight.
ing for low rates. is certain to rule the trade even
more than in the past, now that low rates are to
be permanently ia fashion. There always was
trouble ia the sewing machine world whenever
Mr.. Wilson donned his war paint--and he kept il
on most of the time. Nov that he proposes to
sell his perfectly made machines st faire, prices
than the antique and clumsy inventions" turned
ont by other manufacturers can be sold OF, 1t will
MT bs long ere he drives most of the latter out
existence, as he has already practically driver
them out of the market.
Co y,sn