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Musical Courier 1894-11-21: Vol 29 Iss 767, 1894
107 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1The Chicago Trade Dinner.
3A large number of members of the Chicago Music Trade Association were present at the twelfth banquet of the association last Saturday night, in the beautiful banquet hall of the Auditorium Hotel. At the hour appointed President E. V. Church invited the members and guests to the table, which was handsomely decorated with roses, chrysanthemums, carnations and ferns. A group of large palms stood in the centre of the horseshoe which the table formed. Tomaso's Mandolin Orchestra played during the banquet. The menu was:
5Blue Points……………………………………………..À la Music Trade
6Purée de Faisons………………………………………À la Prices
7Celery…………………………………………………Radishes. Olives.
8Tronçon of Salmon…………………………………….À la Ziegfeld
9Potatoes Sarah………………………………………Cucumbers
10Roulade of Lamb…………………………………….À la Matthews
11Asparagus Tips, Au Beurre.
12Sweetbreads en Croustade……………………………À la Seeboeck
13French Peas.
14Punch…………………………………………………À la Sherwood.
15Quail, Stuffed, with Chestnuts………………………..À la Liebling
16Lettuce Salad.
17Pudding Renaissance…………………………………À la Wilde
18Jelly Dantzick.
19Brie and Roquefort,
20Cake…………………………………………………Coffee. Fruit.
22When the last course had been finished the president arose and said that when he accepted the office it was distinctly with the understanding that he could not make a speech, but that he would, however, say a few words. He congratulated the members upon the bright business prospect now before the country. He said that amid the many reforms now being agitated, especially in Chicago, that of public gambling was one of the most prominent, and he was happy to be able to say positively that, so far as the music trade was concerned, the reform was complete. He spoke of several prominent Eastern members of the trade who were to have been present, but for various reasons were compelled to remain away.
24Mr. Church referred feelingly to the death of John A. Newman. I. N. Camp and Henry Reed were appointed a committee to draft resolutions of condolence.
26I. N. Camp made a short address on the evils of ballot box frauds and appealed to the members for subscriptions to aid the Civic Federation in its attempt to punish criminals guilty of such crimes. He was ably seconded by Mr. Conway, who gave a detailed account of the work of the federation. After the two speeches $650 was subscribed.
28Mr. Church then introduced Ex-Gov. Levi K. Fuller, of Vermont. After the applause which greeted him had subsided Colonel Fuller said:
30Ex-Gov. Levi K. Fuller's Speech.
32MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE MUSIC TRADE ASSOCIATION OF CHICAGO—I am deeply sensible of the honor which you do me in bidding me to a place at your board to-night. As I look down this long line and gaze into these faces radiant with honesty, industry, benevolence, frugality and contented poverty I am puzzled to know why you desire to hear from me, as I can readily see that there are orators here almost as numerous as the stops on a tri-reed organ with sub-bass and double coupler, and I realize that I have little in my head but a cold.
34This occasion brings visibly to my mind a somewhat similar scene some years since, upon my introduction to the trade of your city, when men prominent in the trade gathered around a similar board, and I had an opportunity to learn of the spirit that actuated the different houses there represented and came to realize somewhat of the liberal mindedness that existed, although I discovered their intense stubbornness regarding the one price system and sharp competition in trade and commerce. I realized how large hearted they all were, and fully appreciated the splendid exhibition of the largest freedom, of perfect good fellowship and kindly expression one toward another, and therefore I can say most sincerely that I am glad to be with the gentlemen who are assembled here. Good company, genial spirit and a cordial welcome—what more could anyone wish with these to enter into the spirit of friendship and good fellowship which sits about this board?
36I confess to some surprise at the arrangement for the banquet provided here, as I was led to suppose that the dinner would be served without plates; for in walking down State street to-day I saw a sign in a showcase which said that everybody in Chicago who was anybody should use teeth without plates. I supposed this was a new Chicago idea. But plates or no plates it is a good thing, amid the mad rush of Metropolitan life, to meet together and put our legs under the dinner table and put ourselves outside the dinner itself.
38A profound American philosopher said: "If a wise man should appear in our midst he would create in those who converse with him a new consciousness of wealth by opening their eyes to unobserved advantages—the rich would see their mistakes, and the poor their resources." Gathered as we are to-night about this festive board, our contact, in the language of this American philosopher, should serve not only to increase the spirit of fellowship, but also to open our eyes to "some unobserved advantages." Please do not understand me as saying that I am the wise man who appears among you with eyes-openers. I feel rather as the Israelite did who called his creditors together and offered them in settlement his note for 10 per cent. on their claim, payable in four months. His brother, who was one of the largest creditors, rather objected, when the debtor took him aside and said: "Don't make any objection, and I will make you a preferred creditor." The proposal being accepted, his preferred brother said to him a few days afterward: "Well, I would like vat is coming to me."
40"Oh," said the brother, "you won't get anything; dey won't any ov dem get anyding." "But," said he, "I thought I vas a preferred creditor." "So you are," said the brother; "dose notes vill not be paid ven dey come due, but it vill take dem oder fellows four months to find out it; but you are a preferred creditor, so I tell you about it now."
42This custom of members of the same trade coming together as we do to-night is not one of recent origin. Four hundred years ago in Europe social confraternities, called guilds, in which business combinations originated, meant simply feasts, and out of these banquets came the idea that men who could eat together could work together. Out of such gatherings have largely come the development of those principles and feelings that have been of mutual benefit.
44The reputation of Chicago for large undertakings and generous hospitality in all things found its culmination in the great fair of a year ago, when all nations were laid under contribution to that spirit of modern enterprise that has made Chicago phenomenal among the cities of the world, and while you did yourselves proud, none there were who made larger contributions, in money, toil or talents, than did the members of the guild here represented to-night.
46Business in the past few months has hardly been prosperous enough to authorize us in our gathering to-night to sound the praises of the latest invention of the quadruple string piano, and beat the big bass drum of our hopes concerning the repeal of the income tax. The business world, as well as the world of labor, has had a very sober side to it for some time past. Industries have been depressed, capital has been shy and uninvested, trade has been at a standstill, labor has been uneasy from lack of employment; while in different parts of the country has been heard the tramp, tramp, tramp of idle men on their march to the Nation's Capitol. This condition has disturbed the social order, which has no greater foe than idleness, for idleness makes honest men bitter and wicked men bold. It sows the seeds of new social heresies and reaps the harvest of those already sown. The expected radical changes in tariff legislation brought new embarrassments to the industries of the country. But on Tuesday of last week the country woke up to the fact that the changes are to be less radical and sweeping than were at first expected, and with a fair prospect that in time they may disappear altogether, and we may reasonably hope that we shall soon witness a return of prosperity which, by a fixed law of trade enacted last Tuesday week, will be greatly assisted and augmented by the late prevailing and long continued dullness.
48I know the pleasan' and inspiring fancy that we are just entering upon a new era of progress and prosperity is liable to be a common error. Like Lowell's "Spirit of the Age," our new era may be a delusion, impressing us only with its imposing capitals, and yet in spite of this warning of authority and experience, I venture the prophecy that we are on the eve of a period of social and industrial prosperity which will constitute the years just ahead of us as important in the economic and industrial development of our country. During this period we must, however, beware of attempting too much. Abraham Lincoln was once asked what should be the proportionate length of the legs to the body. "Well," he replied, "I have given the matter considerable thought, and have arrived at the conclusion that they should be just long enough to reach the ground;" and that ought to be our standard. It is when we assume too much and pine like the sick man in the balloon for the earth, that we make our great mistakes. We take a just pride in the matchless growth of our country during the last half century. In marvelous development of wealth, population and business enterprise it has 'had no rival in the history of the world. Our country is still comparatively unsettled, our resources are only partially developed, and our possibilities for industry, for happiness and for homes are incalculable. We have as yet only scattered the seeds of prosperous commonwealths and great cities over the vast regions of the West and Northwest and the Pacific Slope, and upon the occasion of my late journey up and down that coast, the vastness of which, like an empire, appalled me in contemplation of its possibilities. The future will have its problems, and they will be as difficult of solution as any which have tested the wisdom of the past or the present. Every period has its own perils. They are the drastic processes by which slowly but surely the many sides of truth are solved. To meet and overcome them is the mission of progressive peoples. That they exist from time to time is evidence of the advancement of nations to a higher civilization, and so recently as well as magnificently illustrated in the march of modern Japan across the plains of ancient China.
50Stagnation is decay, and communities and individuals are alike subject to the eternal law which compels motion, which must be either backward or forward. Nothing stands still but death. It is this movement that leads to the hot competition of our modern life, and with increasing prosperity the competition will grow hotter every day. It is this which will lead the rapid increase in every field of enterprise of those appliances which mercilessly dispense with the labor of human hands. It has been estimated that the inventions and discoveries of the past 50 years have themselves destroyed half of the world's accumulated capital and thrown out of employment half of its wage earners, the one being the property rendered valueless by new avenues of commerce, superior methods of machinery, or the discovery of cheaper or better materials in manufacture; and the other, the workers thereby displaced and compelled to readjust their relations to physical or mental labor. The victims of this merciless march of the marvelous period may well long for "the good old times." The swiftly moving procession has left them with impaired fortunes or obsolete vocations. Steam or electricity, inventive genius and discovery have added to wealth and opportunity a thousandfold more than they have destroyed; but the rapidity of the revolution has thrown out of gear the order and arrangement adjusted by centuries of trial and have produced in the minds of many an eager longing for stability, that they may not be swallowed up in the eddies and whirlpools formed by this restless spirit of enterprise.
52With all the croaking of the pessimists, the most magnificent development and display of our business enterprises are yet to be seen. The American music trade has before it the period of its greatest activity and largest prosperity, but,
54Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Chicago Association, I must not linger. Permit me to return my most sincere thanks for the courtesies extended upon this delightful occasion, and, as the last words that I leave you with, wish each of the gentlemen present here to-night a large share in the golden days that are to come, as well as in that
56"Happy time, when music bound in one
57Those kindred souls that ne'er were out of tune."
59Geo. J. Armstrong, who followed Mr. Fuller, spoke upon the characteristics of the East and the West. He referred in a clever and interesting way to the peculiarities of Boston, New York and Chicago.
61At the close of Mr. Armstrong's address, President Church invited impromptu speeches of three minutes' duration on any subject.
63Will Bush used his in telling stories. Geo. P. Bent spoke on politics. E. S. Conway's remarks were on the growth of Chicago. Col. Fuller said a few words upon the desirability of brotherhood and friendship. W. S. B. Matthews quoted from Schopenhauer, and F. Wight Newman, Henry Reed, W. H. Sherwood and Platt P. Gibbs made short speeches.
65It was resolved to give two banquets each year in the future. The committee on resolutions reported, expressing regret for the loss of Mr. Newman, and offering sympathy to his widow. Among those present were:
67E. V. Church, E. H. Story, Melville Clark, A. M. Wright, Louis Dederick, George P. Bent, Charles W. Newman, A. N. Sweetland, Charles P. Thompson, E. S. Conway, E. B. Bartlett, F. W. Newman, C. C. Dunbar, W. S. B. Matthews, W. C. Howland, A. Lorenson, E. M. Eastman, George T. Link, A. H. Rintelman, G. L. Reimann, W. H. Sherwood, C. S. Brainard, H. F. Chandler, W. F. Albright, C. H. MacDonald, C. H. Compton, H. N. Lay, Carl Hause, E. A. Saalfeld, J. F. Conover, C. C. Russell, G. K. Morehouse, Richard Bauer, Max Tonk, F. G. Thearle, Jr., J. M. Hawxhurst, Geo. Taylor, Leander Fisher, I. N. Camp, O. H. Nichols, H. J. Strong, H. D. French, R. K. Maynard, J. O. Twichell, W. H. Mosby, G. H. Martin, Platt Gibbs, D. R. Bowlby, J. W. Northrop, W. L. Bush, J. S. Rogers, J. L. Mhan, R. S. Howard, H. A. Wolff, A. L. Jepson, Henry Reed, Henry Drummond, F. W. Teeple, James Pickens, H. Leonard, Mr. Stembach, Levi K. Fuller, F. C. Smith, Mr. Daniels, L. H. Clement, Walton Perkins, Geo. B. Armstrong, Mr. Frölich, John Hall. one of two readings
68E. V. Church, E. H. Story, Melville Clark, A. M. Wright, Louis Dederick, George P. Bent, Charles W. Newman, A. N. Sweetland, Charles P. Thompson, E. S. Conway, E. B. Bartlett, F. W. Newman, C. C. Dunbar, W. S. B. Matthews, W. C. Howland, A. Lorensen, E. M. Eastman, George T. Link, A. H. Rintelman, G. L. Reimann, W. H. Sherwood, C. S. Brainard, H. F. Chandler, W. F. Albright, C. H. MacDonald, C. H. Compton, H. N. Lay, Carl Hause, E. A. Saalfeld, J. F. Conover, C. C. Russell, G. K. Morehouse, Richard Bauer, Max Tonk, F. G. Thearle, Jr., J. M. Hawxhurst, Geo. Taylor, Leander Fisher, I. N. Camp, O. H. Nichols, H. J. Strong, H. D. French, R. K. Maynard, J. O. Twitchell, W. H. Mosby, G. H. Martin, Platt Gibbs, D. R. Bowlby, J. W. Northrop, W. L. Bush, J. S. Rogers, J. L. Mhan, R. S. Howard, H. A. Wolff, A. L. Jepson, Henry Reed, Henry Drummond, F. W. Teeple, James Pickens, H. Leonard, Mr. Stembach, Levi K. Fuller, F. C. Smith, Mr. Daniels, L. H. Clement, Walton Perkins, Geo. B. Armstrong, Mr. Frölich, John Hall. one of two readings
70Packard.
72THE Fort Wayne Organ Company have issued an interesting brochure regarding their "Grand Combination Organ." There is a demand for large organs of this description, and the pushing given to the Packard organ by the Fort Wayne Organ Company cannot help but bring results—big results, too. In this brochure the company describes how it got such results of tone as characterize the Packard organ. We reproduce the well written description:
74Packard Patent Grand Organ Combination.
76These grand instruments are constructed on an entirely new principle, the discovery of which enables us to gain power which has never before been obtained from reeds; also a pipe quality of tone remarkable in its distinctness. The variety of combinations is equal to that of large pipe organs. In the construction of this organ simplicity was our aim, and we have succeeded in producing an instrument that is simple, easy working and most durable. Practically, nothing to get out of order.
78With all these qualities it is most admirably adapted to churches, chapels, halls, lodge rooms, as well as parlors. On the following pages we give illustrations of two of our plainer styles of cases and the specifications of both single and two manual. We also give the expressions of some of the most noted musicians in the country, all of whom have heard and played upon them.
80How We Have Accomplished These Wonderful Results.
82I. We have given to each individual reed a direct and independent opening into the wind chest, thereby overcoming the confusion of sounds which is consequent upon conducting several tones through one channel, as has been done heretofore in combination organs. Hence we preserve that individuality of each tone, and thereby build up the powerful combination that has been a surprise to every artist who has played upon it.
84II. The reed cells are placed one above the other above the keyboard. We construct of thin lumber a wind chest, or resonant chamber, upright and entirely free from the case, back of the reeds the vibration of this with each tone of each reed (as is the case with the string and sounding board of a piano) we get a free, round and pipe-like quality never before produced with reeds.
86III. The principle of the construction of our action is just the reverse from the old way. The mutes are inside the wind chest and the valve outside over the reed cell. Thus, by creating a vacuum in the cell and about the reed, when you open the valve with the key you produce a percussion of tone which is remarkable in its quickness.
88IV. We guarantee that these organs have as much power and twice the variety that can be got from a pipe organ costing double what we sell these for. Pipe organs need frequent tuning; these never do. Every organ warranted for five years.
90Brown, Horton & Co.
92HERE is the personnel of the new piano manufacturing concern of Brown, Horton & Co., at Bucyrus, Ohio:
94Mr. J. T. Brown, who has been in the trade as dealer and manufacturer 23 years, and who was the organizer of the Edna Organ Company at Monroeville. He is a practical man.
96M. B. J. Horton, who has been in piano factories twelve years, and possesses a knowledge of every branch of piano manufacture.
98Mr. E. L. Stiefel is the business man of the concern, and is a man of experience.
100The company will manufacture a piano containing many new features of construction, and they state that no expense will be spared to make a good piano.
102—The Central Labor Federation is trying to secure harmony between the United and International Piano Makers' unions. A meeting for that purpose will be held Thursday of next week at 1551 Second avenue.
104—A suit to recover $5,000 damages brought by David H. Chase, a musical instrument repairer at 446 Quincy street, Brooklyn, against Charles H. Davis, of 662 DeKalb avenue, was called for hearing in the City Court last week. Chase says that in May of 1891 the defendant left with him for repairs a violin. He alleges that later Davis sold him the instrument, and afterward had him arrested on a charge of stealing it. He was discharged by Justice Connolly.
106—The charge of stealing a piano preferred by David Best, of the Mendelssohn Piano Company, against Mrs. Mary A. Wills, was dismissed by Magistrate Denison yesterday, on the ground that the case had been brought up in the wrong court. Mrs. Wills bought a $305 piano from the complainant and had paid $343 on it and was continuing her payments, when she was arrested because she had shipped the instrument out of the city. An action for false arrest may be taken by the defendant.—Toronto "Empire."
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