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Musical Courier 1892-09-28: Vol 25 Iss 657, 1892
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1A VERMONT COMPLICATION.
3Lively interest is manifested among the national politicians who are in the city over a situation in Vermont which may result in judicial inquiry into the eligibility of Levi K. Fuller and F. S. Stranahan, Republicans, who were elected Governor and Lieutenant Governor respectively. Both national committees in their circulars to candidates for elector have taken the view that directors of national banks are Government officials and call on them to resign.
5This position of the national committees in holding that national bank directors are federal officials is important, because pretty nearly everybody who ran on the Republican or Democratic tickets in Vermont are national bank directors, and a clause in the constitution of the State reads as follows:
7Nor shall any person holding any office of profit or trust under the authority of Congress be eligible to any appointment in the Legislature or of holding any executive or judiciary office under the State.
9Governor Fuller is a director of a national bank in Brattleboro. Lieutenant Governor-elect Stranahan is vice-president of a national bank in St. Albans. The Democratic candidates will not be able to profit by the complication because Colonel Smalley, secretary of the Democratic Campaign Committee, who ran for Governor, is a national bank director at Weldon, and W. B. Viall, who ran for Lieutenant Governor, is a director of the Randolph National Bank. Colonel Smalley is also a world's fair commissioner. If the national committee's view of the matter holds good at law, Mr. Allen, the Prohibition candidate, who received about 1,500 votes, will be sworn in as Governor. The issue will affect all members of the Legislature who are bank directors.
11When I asked Colonel Smalley about it at Democratic national headquarters, he said:
13"I am very sorry I did not resign my Federal positions, because I would then be prepared to contest the election of Governor Fuller and surely would do so."
15THE above appeared in the New York "Herald" of Monday last. We should like to bet a small bottle—of ink—that Levi K. Fuller, Esq., will be inaugurated as the next Governor of the State of Vermont.
17Later.
19The following Associated Press dispatch on the above subject was published yesterday:
21BRATTLEBORO, Vt., Sept. 26—Governor-elect L. K. Fuller said to-day: "The alleged statement of B. B. Smalley, of the National Democratic Committee, that I held an office in a national bank, and am therefore ineligible to the Governorship, is absolutely without foundation, as I do not now nor have I ever held any office created by an act of Congress."
23A Model Factory.
25TO present a fair, unbiased opinion in any matter is no easy task, says "The Review," as hundreds of writers and public speakers have learned. To present a fact in such a manner that it will leave the correct and desired impression is an equally difficult task. To give reliable information should always be a pleasure to every individual and to every legitimate newspaper. To those whom praise is due praise should be given, although frequently the ones most deserving are ignored. There are many institutions of merit in the country that have been given but little attention by the press, and then so meagre has been the information disseminated that no satisfaction has resulted. At intervals some mention has been made by the local press of the Chase Brothers piano factory in Muskegon—an institution that is now an object of interest to people in almost every town and county in the United States, for there are few localities that do not possess at least one of the now celebrated Chase pianos. However, as no adequate description of the building, the equipments, facilities, &c., has been given to the public, "The Review" was anxious to present its readers an article that would be of some value to the interested public, and for this purpose a representative visited Muskegon last week and spent a day making a careful inspection of the factory and the work of manufacturing the Chase piano in detail. To say that it was an interesting day would be putting it very mild—it was a wonderful study, and what was seen that day will never be forgotten.
27From the Occidental a ride of between 2 and 3 miles through a scattered but delightful residence portion of the city, on the electric cars, brings you to Lakeside, and you step from the car into the front entrance of an imposing brick building four stories in height, 250 feet long and 100 feet wide.
29One-half of the first floor is devoted to the warroom, where the pianos when finished are placed for inspection before being shipped, and a most magnificent suite of offices finished in beautiful mahogany, handsomely furnished and brilliantly lighted. Bookkeepers, stenographers and clerks enjoy the comfortable and convenient offices and are enabled to accomplish a great deal more than under ordinary circumstances. In the sumptuous, leather covered easy chairs in the private office you will always find one or two of the members of this enterprising firm—either the father and senior member, Mr. M. J. Chase, who has been in the piano manufacturing business for over 30 years and who is the inventor and proprietor of several patents on different portions of the Chase piano, or one of the three brothers—Clarence, Braton or Leon, who have grown up in the business and thoroughly understand even the minutest details in the construction of not only their own pianos, but also those made by most of the other manufacturers, so thorough has been their study of the piano trade. They are all courteous gentlemen, as every visitor to the factory will testify.
31Under the guidance of Mr. Braton Chase, manager of the Grand Rapids branch of the concern, the writer made the tour of the building from the dry kiln on the lower floor through nearly a hundred different departments where the materials go through their different processes. The patience exhibited in making a piano is something remarkable. For instance, the lumber is submitted to over two years' seasoning, then it is placed in the dry kiln, which is a most ingenious device having a network of coils of steam pipe between every layer of boards, enabling them to be thoroughly dried on both sides, then at least six months elapses before the piano, into which this lumber goes, is allowed to leave the factory. Thoroughness is one of the mottoes of the Chase Brothers and it has been a most satisfactory one to them, as success has crowned their efforts in a most substantial manner. The factory in every department is equipped with the most modern machinery and appliances and supplied with 300 experienced workmen, many of them skilled piano makers, obtained after considerable effort from the Eastern piano factories. Everything from the first to the last room moves like clockwork, and except where glue is used the floors are as clean as those of any store. To visit such a factory is a pleasure indeed.—"The Review."
33Are You a Piano Mover?
35If So, Make Your Contracts with the Husband, Not with the Wife.
37A CASE of considerable interest to piano movers was decided by Justice Petterson to-day. Luther W. Smith, a practical piano mover, of 25 Quincy street, the plaintiff in the action, sought to recover $17 from Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Christ, of 90 South Eighth street, for the removal of an upright piano from New York to the Christ residence. Smith testified that the original understanding between Mr. Christ and himself was that the instrument should be transported for $6, but on arriving at the house with the piano it was found that, in order to get it within the building, it was necessary to hoist it through an upper window.
39Mrs. Christ was made acquainted with the difficulty and informed that the hoisting operation would entail an extra expense of $5. She is alleged to have said "Go ahead, and my husband will pay it." The piano was put into the house through the window, and when the bill was presented, with incidental charges for "hoisting, carting, boxing, &c.," Mr. Christ refused to pay it. Lawyer Merkert for the defendants secured a dismissal of the action against Mrs. Christ on the ground that as a married woman, without a separate estate, her husband was responsible under the law for her debts. The magistrate further decided that the plaintiff was entitled to only $6 for his work, inso much as that was the figure agreed upon between Mr. Christ and Mr. Smith.
41"But, your honor," Smith interjected, "every piano mover in Brooklyn charges extra for hoisting an instrument through a window."
43"That's perfectly proper," Judge Petterson responded, "but you overlooked an important fact in the eyes of the law when you failed to make your subsequent agreement for hoisting the piano with a responsible person. Mrs. Christ was not responsible. You can only recover from Mr. Christ the $6 he agreed to pay you for moving the piano."—Brooklyn "Times."
45The Piercy Company.
47FROM the Troy, N. Y., "Times" of September 22 we glean the following item of importance:
49Piercy & Co., piano dealers, at 354 Broadway, dissolved partnership yesterday. The stock of pianos and musical goods has been sold to J. & C. Fischer, piano manufacturers, of New York. The members of the old firm were Charles A. Piercy and Henry G. Harris. Mr. Piercy will remove to New York and engage in other business. Mr. Harris will assume the management of the store for J. & C. Fischer.
51—Mr. Otto Wessell, of Wessell, Nickel & Gross, the action manufacturers, visited the leading piano houses of Boston last week. The Boston trade of Wessell, Nickel & Gross is constantly increasing.
53—Messrs. Kennelly & Sylvester, of Lawrence, Mass., are now located in their new store at 248 and 250 Essex street, where they will have facilities for handling a larger stock of pianos and organs than ever before. Their sheet music and small goods are being sold off at their old store to make room for new goods in the present place.
55—The music committee of the school board has accepted the resignation of Edwin F. Bristol, who has had charge of the tuning of the city pianos for nearly two years. Mr. Bristol's resignation was brought about by the serious illness of his wife, who has been advised by her physician to go to Denver, Colo., for her health. Mr. and Mrs. Bristol left for Denver yesterday morning.
57The committee has appointed, to fill out the term, Elwyn H. Fowler, for three years tuner of the pianos of the Boston schools, under M. Anagnos, superintendent and director of the Perkins Institution.—Worcester "Spy."
59Trade Notes.
61—William Steinway is in London.
63—Albert Weber was in Boston last week.
65—It is reported that the Salt Lake Company has failed.
67—The vocalion is now sold in Philadelphia by B. F. Owen & Co.
69—Ben Owen, the Philadelphia piano dealer, spent a day here last week.
71—Harry Backensto has opened a musical instrument store at Dallas Tex.
73—There is a rumor of a big change in the retail trade in Worcester, Mass.
75—Mr. Wm. Tonk has just returned from a six weeks trip, successful, as usual.
77—J. B. Swartz, dealer in musical instruments, New Bloomfield, Pa. is dead.
79—The Morgan Music Company succeed Morgan & Wilbur at Middletown, N. Y.
81—A. Lavallee and C. Lavallee, dealing as A. Lavallee & Fils, Montreal, have dissolved.
83—Mr. Harry J. Raymore, of the Shaw Piano Company, passed through New York yesterday.
85—The warerooms of M. Steinert & Sons at Providence, R. I., have been elaborately redecorated.
87—Peter Hein, who has been in the piano and organ business at Iahpeming, Mich., has gone out of it.
89—Mr. W. T. Crane, representing the Chicago Cottage Organ Company, passed through New York last week.
91—Wiegand is on the road for the Braumuller Company in Pennsylvania. He was at Williamsport on Thursday.
93—Mr. Thomas H. Knollin, the well-known Syracuse music man, was among the callers at this office last week.
95—R. S. Howard, of the New England Piano Company, reached Boston via New York on Sunday from a Southern trip.
97—Merryday & Paine, of Jacksonville, Fla., have moved to larger quarters in a building next door to their former store.
99—J. E. Quarles, of 906 East Seventh avenue, Corsicana, Tex., announces that he is going into the piano and music business.
101—L. E. Thayer, of the Fort Wayne Organ Company, who was East last week, was in town on Saturday and left for the South.
103—George Campbell, of the Knight-Campbell Music Company, of Denver, and W. G. Walz, of El Paso, Tex., were in town last week.
105—Mr. John F. Fronk, an enterprising salesman of Defiance, Ohio, has engaged his services with Fuller's sewing machine and music store.
107—Petaluma, Cal., is to have a new music store, it being a branch opened by F. W. Spencer & Co., of San Francisco. They will run there a full line.
109—A clogged closet in the second floor of N. A. Hulbert's piano house at Scranton overflowed on Sunday and damaged some music and pianos.
111—George Rounds, a violin maker at Vickoryville, Mich., is in trouble with the United States authorities, charged with selling liquor without a license.
113—The Rice-Macy piano, which won the fine premium at the recent State fair, will hereafter be sold in Adel, Ia., by Mr. C. M. Conger, formerly of Des Moines.
115—Miss M. Nellie Hart has been engaged by the Kranich & Bach Piano Company, of New York, to give concerts daily on their piano at the Mechanics' Fair, Boston.
117—C. H. Utley, of Buffalo; M. H. Andrews, of Bangor; George H. Taylor, of Gloversville, N. Y., and J. B. McNee, of Winona, Minn., were in Boston last week.
119—Murray & Brown, of Guthrie, Okla. Ter., who have run a jewelry store there since the foundation of that town, have added musical instruments to their stock.
121—Charles Ney & Co. is the name of the new piano and organ firm at Memphis referred to in last week's paper. They will sell the Gildemeister & Kroeger and the Wissner pianos.
123—Mr. W. C. Taylor, of Springfield, Mass., is one of the most persistent and clever advertisers in the New England piano trade. His concerts on the 22d and 23d at the City Hall, in which the Weber piano was used, were both successful events.
125—Karl Fink (whose name is not mentioned on the front page) was in Boston last week. He still makes the Adams House his headquarters, although it was at one time surmised that he would transfer his allegiance to the new Hotel Reynolds.
127—L. R. Darrow, 951 Fifth street, has purchased the stock of sheet music and musical merchandise of E. T. Blancher, which, added to his large stock of pianos and organs, makes one of the most complete music houses in Southern California.—San Diego "Union."
129—A. M. McPhail, president of the McPhail Piano Company, of Boston, now a resident of Omaha, where he is living with his married daughter, left for his home in the West last Thursday. Mr. McPhail was in the piano business in Boston for several generations.
131—The J. H. Lockey piano case factory has been shut down the past week, and the workmen have been busy in building an extensive addition to the works. Meanwhile a new and large boiler has replaced the old one; and this always busy firm will be doing a greater business than ever.—Clinton "Crescent."
133—Patents granted September 13, 1892:
134Musical notation………………..J. W. Robberson………….No. 482,442
135Pianos, stringing………………..C. S. Weber……………….No. 482,409
137WANTED—Position with music house as salesman. Good piano and organ player. Can speak and write German. Address W. G., Chicago, care of THE MUSICAL COURIER.
139WANTED—First-class outside Piano and Organ salesman as outside man to work in and around Syracuse, N. Y. Address C. N. T., care of THE MUSICAL COURIER.
141FOR SALE—Piano business established for 30 years in a live Western city of 70,000 inhabitants. Majority of stock is held by party having other business requiring his attention, which is his reason for selling. Address Opportunity, care of THE MUSICAL COURIER, 226 Wabash avenue, Chicago.
143WANTED—A position as foreman or superintendent by a man with 29 years' experience in piano making. Can draw scales and make patterns. Good references. Address, "Foreman," care THE MUSICAL COURIER, 226 Wabash avenue, Chicago.
145WANTED—A position as superintendent by a piano maker who has had charge for some time of an important factory and who is thoroughly conversant with all departments of piano construction, beginning with the drawing of scales up to the final tone and action regulation. Has no fancy notions of piano building. Everything on a solid, substantial basis of accepted methods. Address, "F. R. K.," care THE MUSICAL COURIER.
147WANTED—Every piano maker in Chicago has made a success. An old and successful maker will accept capital to enlarge business, $50,000 wanted. An examination will prove profitable. Address, "H.," care of THE MUSICAL COURIER, 226 Wabash avenue, Chicago, Ill.
149DESIGNS—Piano cases, special and catalogue styles; also for exhibits at the world's fair. Frets, trusses, engraving, music cabinets and general designing. Louis H. Marston & Robert B. Hotchkiss, architects and designers, 718 Bort Building, Chicago, Ill.
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