LIFE IN THE METROPOLIS

Lily Lantry

Thurlow Weed

The Cortland News, Friday, November 17, 1882.

LIFE IN THE METROPOLIS.

Correspondence of the NEWS.

New York, Nov. 13, 1882.

   The last week has been one of unusual excitement in New York. This is a city of sensations, but for real downright flutter I can commend such an election as the one we recently passed through. But it has all subsided. People still talk about the "cyclone" and the "washout," but everybody rejoices that the turmoil is over and that peace and quiet will reign again, for a time at least, and the ordinary pursuits of life receive all our devotion.

   The other morning I rode the whole length of the Third Avenue Elevated Railroad, starting from One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth street, and finishing at South Ferry. The Third Avenue Elevated Road is the great artery—the carotid of the elevated system. If any one desires to see all kinds and conditions of people, I commend this ride. The trip, about eleven miles in length, consumes about fifteen minutes. A great deal depends, however, upon the hour of the day which you may select for the trip. At 6 o'clock in the morning you will find the cars crowded with laboring men. At 7 o'clock mechanics with tin pails and shop-girls with bundles fill the cars. At 8 the clerks, both male and female, take possession of the trains. At 8:30 the commission hours close, and thereafter, until 4:30 P. M., the fare is ten cents. The riders during these hours are successively merchants, brokers and shoppers. After 4:30 P. M., the tide runs the other way and the order of things is reversed, with the lady shoppers first, then the brokers, merchants, clerks, mechanics, shop-girls and laborers in the order named. It is a curious study to watch the streams of people and see them read the newspapers.

   All New York reads the newspapers in transit. Time is felt to be too precious to waste it in any such occupation during business hours. On the trains, ferry boats, street cars and busses en route to work everybody has a newspaper, and everybody is absorbingly intent in extracting all the news possible in the shortest possible time.

   The newspapers publish daily bulletins of the condition of Thurlow Weed, whose health is rapidly failing. Mr. Weed is now eighty-five years of age, and is a politician of a former generation. His active connection for so many years with the politics of this State and of the nation has made his name a familiar one; yet he is not a philanthropist, and his works have been of a character that will leave his fame to perish and himself soon to be forgotten by the busy people of this great metropolis. By publishing these bulletins, which are said to be sent by a member of Mr. Weed's own household, the newspapers help to keep alive the memory of a man who corrupted the Whig party of New York, who was the enemy of Clay and Webster, and whose political methods were as bad as the worst of the present time.

   A well-known New Yorker said to me the other day: "What good has he done in all his long life? Had it not been for his pernicious counsels from 1834 to 1848 the great Whig party would have continued to sustain its early reputation for patriotism, and Mr. Clay would have been elected to the Presidency in 1844 but for his trickery, and that of his subordinates in this State. That he was saved from a coat of tar and feathers is owing to the mercy of Charles Stetson, who rescued him from the fury of the Whigs of this city on that dark and gloomy night in November, 1844, when it was definitely ascertained that Henry Clay was defeated."

   I remember the story of this incident: Weed was at the Astor House chuckling over the result when a sound as of the roar of a cyclone was heard on Broadway. Stetson, who had a premonition of what was coming, clapped a fireman's hat and coat on Weed and hurried him down the kitchen stairs, and thence into that unsavory alley where the swill-carts were laden, and so out into Barclay street and a place of refuge in the Filth Ward. The infuriated Whigs rushed in and overflowed the halls and corridors of the great hotel, determined to seize Weed and ride him on a rail to the Battery and back, and then treat him to a coat of tar and feathers. But the bird had flown. This "episode" was the sorest spot in Weed's life. He used to allude to it now and then as an instance of the ingratitude of politicians.

   Viewed as a social event, the Langtry debut was a great success. From a dramatic and an artistic standpoint it was a dismal failure. Think of two columns being given over to a criticism of the event in all the Metropolitan newspapers. Of course, I ought to join the crowd and praise Mrs. Langtry's beauty; but I shall do nothing of the kind. I studied her face attentively, and took in as well the much-vaunted graceful lines of her form, and am prepared to say, "honor bright," that one may see any day in Fifth Avenue or Fourteenth Street lots of girls who are more beautiful than the Jersey Lily, beyond compare.

KNICKERBOCKER.

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   The trustees of the village are straightening Pendleton street.

   Mr. Fred. H. Gee, of Washington, D. C, has been visiting here for the past few days.

   Mr. A. H. Decker has just laid a substantial stone curb along the south side of the National Bank.

   C. S. Stowbridge has purchased the residence of Mrs. Phoebe B. Dean on Monroe Heights. Price $3,500.

   Miss Sally Bonney has not sold a part of her lot on Pendleton street as we were informed and stated a week or two ago.

   The November shower of meteors fell during the first days of this week, but, the nights being cloudy, were not visible in this section.

   The width of the S. & B. R. R. freight depot platform has been lessened and the east track moved a couple of feet nearer the depot.

   Decided change of weather on Monday. Rainy in the forenoon and snow in the afternoon—ground well covered. First hard freeze of the season Tuesday night. Wednesday a thaw and weather quite pleasant again.

   Frank B. Carpenter, the artist, has been commissioned by Hon. John Russell Young, American Minister to China, to paint, portraits of President Arthur, General Grant and ex-Senator Conkling for the United States Legation rooms in Pekin.

   Dr. H. A. Bolles, of Cortland, gave a rousing temperance lecture Thursday evening, November 2, in Summer Hill. Though much fatigued both in body and mind, he spoke eloquently. He was one of only three who voted the Prohibition ticket in Cortland, when that organization first put candidates in the political field.—Moravia Rep.

   The suit against I. H. Palmer, R. Champlin and B. T. Wright, Esqrs., by Charles Sedgwick, Esq., of Syracuse, for payment of his fees as attorney in the attempted impeachment of Judge Smith, which was begun before the Judge on the 9th inst., was postponed until the 28th, as Mr. Sedgwick was called home by a telegram soon alter the case was opened.

   The Madison Square Theater Company, which gave "The Professor" in so fine a manner a few nights ago in Cortland, has achieved a great success in their new play, "Young Mrs. Winthrop," which has just been brought out in New York. It has become the social dramatic event of the season. Its rendition in Cortland this winter may be expected.

   Proceedings on an inquisition issued out of the County Court for the purpose of ascertaining whether Warren Nye, of Virgil, is of sound mind and capable of managing his business, were commenced on Monday before Dorr C. Smith, referee. An effort was made to impanel a jury, but the question arising as to whether the usual rules to determine a person's fitness to serve as a juror apply in cases of this kind, the case was adjourned until Nov. 27, inst., to enable the referee to examine authorities.

   The Postmaster-General has accepted a schedule fixing the rates at which stamped envelopes will be sold to the public after January 1st. By a new and advantageous contract the department is enabled to reduce the price ten per cent, and will also print special return notices upon envelopes, without additional charge, when ordered in quantities of 500 or more. It is a fact not generally known that stamped envelopes, when spoiled through misdirection or other causes, can be exchanged for postage stamps of the same denomination at the nearest post office.

   Mr. Linus Stillman, whose death occurred on Sunday at his residence, on the west road to Homer, had been confined to the house by illness for several years, but an attack of typhoid pneumonia was the immediate cause of his death. He was well known in this section, and was greatly esteemed. His remains were brought to Cortland for burial, the funeral services being conducted by the Homer Lodge of Odd Fellows, of which Order Mr. Stillman had been a member of the highest repute for over thirty years. A number of Cortland Odd Fellows joined in the ceremony at the grave.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

   On Monday the Supervisors met in annual session at their rooms in the County building and were called to order by  R. W. Bourne, former clerk of the Board. Dr. J. C. Nelson was chosen temporary chairman. All the members responded to their names as follows:

   Cincinnatus—Henry M. Kingman.

   Cortlandville—R. Bruce Smith.

   Cuyler—Harlan P. Andrews.

   Freetown—Chauncey Smith.

   Harford—Austin W. Clinton.

   Homer—H. Wilson Blashfield.

   Lapeer—Perry Hazen.

   Marathon—E. Clark Carley.

   Preble—David O. Crofoot.

   Scott—W. H. Morgan.

   Solon—James Dougherty.

   Taylor—Jerome Angell.

   Truxton—Judson C. Nelson.

   Virgil— Walter L. Chaplin.

   Willett—Willson Greene.

   An informal ballot for permanent chairman being taken, E. C. Carley received 6, J. C. Nelson 6, and Messrs. Clinton, Kingman and blank each 1.

   Three formal ballots were then had, the third resulting in the choice of E. C. Carley, who received 8 votes, and who, on taking the chair, expressed in fitting terms his appreciation of the honor.

   One informal and twenty-two formal ballots for Clerk were taken, the larger number of which stood 6 for J. L. Cotton, 6 for Jerome Squires, and 3 for H. D. Waters.

   On Tuesday the Supervisors met at the County Clerk's office for the purpose of canvassing the votes cast at the late election, and chose H. M. Kingman chairman, the County Clerk acting as clerk of the Board. No changes were made in the result already given.

   In annual session ten ballots were taken for clerk, but no choice was made.

   On Wednesday R. W. Bourne was elected clerk pro tem, and the balloting for a permanent clerk postponed until Monday afternoon next. .

   Messrs. Blashfield, Greene and R. B. Smith being appointed a committee to procure the services of a janitor, reported that they had engaged the services of Mr. Robert Bushby. [Bushby was a defeated candidate for office of County Clerk—CC editor.]

   The chairman announced the following standing committees:

   On Court House and Jail—C. Smith, Hazen, Crofoot.

   On Settling with Co. Treasurer— Greene, Blashfield, Kingman.

   On Settling with County Clerk and Sheriff— Nelson, Andrews, Morgan.

   On Settling with County Judge and Justices, Blashfield, Dougherty, Angell.

   On Settling with School and Loan Commissioners—Angell, Crofoot, Chaplin.

   On Auditing Constables Bills—Morgan, Dougherty, C. Smith.

   On Miscellaneous Bills—Andrews, Nelson, Greene.

   On Appropriations—Kingman, Clinton, R. B. Smith.

   On Public Printing—Crofoot, Hazen, Angell.

   On Footing Assessment Rolls—Clinton, Hazen, Angell, Morgan, Dougherty, Kingman, Andrews.

   On Settling with Supervisors and Clerk--Morgan, C. Smith, Blashfield.

   On Jurisprudence—Dougherty, Chaplin, Greene.

   On Settling with Superintendent of the Poor—R. B. Smith, Clinton, Angell.

   On Equalization—Chaplin, R. B. Smith, Crofoot, Nelson, Greene, Clinton, Dougherty.

   On Coroners' Bills—Hazen, Clinton, Morgan.

   On Settling with District Attorney—Kingman, Chaplin, Nelson.

   A communication was received from the State Comptroller stating that the aggregate valuation of county property was $9,012,639, and that a State tax of 2.45 mills on the dollar, or $22,080.97 should be levied.

   A communication from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction was received, requiring the appropriation of $30 for clothing for Patrick Driscoll, an inmate from this county of St. Mary's Institution for Deaf Mutes.

   Another from the Superintendent of the State Asylum for Idiots, asking for $38 for clothing for Ida Toppin and J. D. Hanley, of that Institution.

   Another from the Treasurer of the Willard Asylum for the Insane, requiring the sum of $151.80 for the support of William Clute.

   On motion of Mr. Blashfield, the Supervisor of Homer was directed to add $4 to the abstract of said town payable to Joseph White, also $4 payable to Lucius Alvord.

   Messrs. Clinton and Dougherty were added to the Equalization committee.

   On Thursday the Supervisor of Willett was directed to add the bill of B. B. Jones for $1, and that of Wm. E. Bailey for $3 to the abstract of said town.

   Dr. Angell moved that the Cortland Democrat and Standard be designated to publish the official canvass and that they be allowed $15 each for publishing the same.

   Mr. Blashfield moved as an amendment that the Homer Republican and Cortland Democrat be designated as such papers.

   On motion of Mr. Clinton, the matter was postponed until 2 o'clock P. M., when Mr. Blashfield withdrew his amendment and the motion of Dr. Angell was carried.

   The District Attorney reported that he had received $50 fine from James H. Ashby for violating the excise laws, and $50 from Matilda Stearns for assault and battery. Report referred to committee on settling with county treasurer.

   The report of the committee appointed by the last Board to repair, alter or enlarge the buildings connected with the alms-house was read and placed on file.

   On motion of Dr. Nelson, the building committee was authorized to make such arrangements for heating the asylum building as in their judgment shall be for the best interests of the county.

   The State Dairyman's Association was allowed by an unanimous vote the use of the court-house during their [meeting] on or about the 19th, 20th and 21st of December, prox., provided no court is in session at that time.

Thurlow Weed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurlow_Weed

Thurlow Weed at Marathon, N. Y.: http://history.rays-place.com/ny/marathon-ny.htm

Lily Lantry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lily_Langtry