"Pap" Clark's Threat

The Cortland News, Friday, December 22, 1882.

[Andrew Seaman] Biographical.

   Mr. Andrew Seaman, who came to his death by accident at Mr. C. B. Hitchcock's wagon works, an account of which we gave last week, was a native of Holland, born at Zennaar March 24, 1830. He came to this country when seventeen years of age. In 1856 he was married to Miss Mary A. Jackson, who survives him. Four children were born to them, all of whom are living, and with the exception of a boy five years old, all are grown up. The only daughter, Mrs. Wilcox, and also the eldest son, a lawyer, who has lately been admitted to the Bar, are settled at Arcade, in this State. The next son, Charles, has been employed with the father at the wagon works in this village.

   About two years since, Mr. Seaman took the foremanship of the paint shop in the factory. He was a workman of rare skill and a faithful employee. As a foreman he had the confidence and respect of the men under his charge and by his manly bearing greatly endeared himself to them.

   His sad death seemed almost a fatality. He had repeatedly warned his son Charlie and others against carelessly stepping upon the elevator while in motion, and yet on this occasion, though warned by the man in charge not to get on he ventured into the very jaws of death. He said before his death that no one was to blame but himself. It was one of those instances which often occur, when a man under the excitement and impulse of haste, will do violence to both the instinct o self-preservation and his better judgment.

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   Mr. John Dolphin has been appointed postmaster at East River.

   There is too much fast driving on Main street, and bells should accompany every vehicle.

   The jury in the Warren Nye lunacy case brought in a verdict that he was "not incompetent.”

   Mrs. McDowell, mother of Mrs. G. W. Bradford, died at her home in Troy, Penn., Tuesday morning, Dec. 19, at the age of 77. Mr. and Mrs. Bradford left on Wednesday to attend the funeral.

   Mr. Harvey Waters, collector, announces that taxes may be paid at the National Bank of Cortland and at the office of Deloss McGraw at any time within thirty days from the 15th of December inst., at one per cent.

   Dickinson & Grady Bros., Cortland's favorite marketmen, moved this week into the new Wells' building. They have the best arranged and most inviting rooms for their purpose in the village, and they keep a first-class market, too.

   An associated press dispatch from Chicago, dated Dec. 13, says it "is stated that a street railway company here is considering the idea of running cars by electricity. Elmer A. Sperry, of Cortland, N. Y., a well-known electrician, is the projector of the system."

   East River is indulging in a bit of gossip over the marriage of Eugene Corl to Nettie Rose, the couple having run away to Ithaca to get the ceremony performed. Young Corl had been living in the family of Miss Rose for the past six years, and as she was under age they had to go away from home. She told the Ithaca clergyman that she was over 18 years of age. Corl has been arrested and Tuesday afternoon his examination will be had before Esquire Sands.

   While Mr. James M. Reynolds was passing along the crosswalk from the postoffice to the bank corner [intersection of Court Street and Main Street—CC editor], last Saturday, he was run into by a fast-going horse, the thill of the cutter striking him in the back and knocking him in to the gutter. Had he not been pushed by a companion he would have been run over. As it is he was badly lamed and bruised. It was a narrow escape, and we take pleasure in expressing our congratulations that the accident to our old friend and brother printer was no worse.

   The Normal school closes for Christmas day only, and not for the week.

   Mr. Geo A. Rice, ex-president of the Utica, Ithaca & Elmira Railway, was arrested last Friday night in New York, on complaint of English stockholders in the railway, on charges of over-issue of stock, embezzlement and forgery; acts committed while he was in charge of said road.

   Messrs. W. H. Bradford and E. P. Slafter, successors of Bennett Bros., announce themselves in this week's NEWS ready for business. Our readers will find these gentlemen prompt and reliable. They have on hand an assortment of boots, shoes, etc., which they offer at reduced rates to close them out.

   The State Dairymen's Convention convened at the court-house on Tuesday, but the crowd in attendance requiring more room, Taylor Hall was used during Wednesday and Thursday, but was filled at all these sessions on those days. The exercises were very interesting. An extended report will appear next week.

   Two of the Democratic and three of the Republican (?) Supervisors, Clark, of the Standard, succeeded in bulldozing into the belief that upon his shoulders alone rests the dissemination of future political favors, but the other ten [supervisors] couldn't be brought into the traces, and so ye "pap” editor is madder than ever, and he has instructed his correspondents to help him howl.

   Soon after noon last Saturday word came by telephone from Homer that assistance from our fire department was needed. The alarm being quickly given, the steamer drawn by four horses, followed by the hose carts and hook and ladder truck, was dashing along the road to our sister village, and in less than an hour water was being thrown on the blazing building. It seems that the grocery store of P. F. Smith had caught fire, and the fire of the Homer steamer on its way to the river had been put out by the deep snow, and as the flames were rapidly gaining headway and threatening the destruction of several buildings, Cortland's help was required. Goods were removed from adjacent buildings, the Keator opera house on one side and the Zimmer building on the other were somewhat damaged, but the grocery store was the only one destroyed. Smith's loss was $6,000; insured for $ 4,500 on store and stock. Other damage fully insured.

An Abandoned Railway.

   At a meeting held at the court-house in Norwich on the 9th inst., to consider as to the advisability of commencing proceedings to compel the New York, Ontario and Western railroad to operate the Auburn branch, extending from Norwich to DeRuyter, George P. Cushman was elected chairman and A. E. Gladding secretary.

   After hearing Esquires Stanton, Church, Cushman, Gladding and others in relation thereto, on motion of John W. Chum, Esq., a committee of two from each town along the line of the branch was named, who are to decide as to the advisability of instituting proceedings by mandamus or otherwise, and if thought best to solicit subscriptions to defray expenses incident to such proceedings; such committee to report as an adjourned meeting to be held at the same place on Saturday, the 16th instant, at 1 o'clock P. M.

Freetown, Dec. 19, 1882.

   Mr. John Rakes has rented Mr. J. Twentyman's farm at the Basin. Consideration, $600. He intends moving upon it in February.

   Mr. N. and S. Russell have closed their cider and jell business.

   The scarcity of water still continues. Wells that have never before failed are yielding only from a few quarts to a pail full of water daily. Many wells and springs are entirely dry. The drought this season commenced in July; as the last rain-fall which was sufficiently heavy to benefit the herbage of the earth occurred the seventh day of July. Since that time, it has continued just about rainless. We are informed of a case where a rivulet dried up, and its course being inaccessible for stock, a man had to dip with a dipper water enough to water thirty cows. Many weary ones, who are obliged to draw water from those springs or brooks that have not as yet failed, or melt snow, at their option, are asking how much longer must this continue. It has continued long enough already to bring unnumbered ills to suffering humanity. The oldest inhabitants say there has never been such a thing known in the annals of time upon the American continent.

Board of Supervisors.

   Wednesday.—The bond of the incoming Superintendent of the Poor was fixed at $10,000.

   On motion of Dr. Angell, the Board tendered their thanks to Robert Bushby for his effective discharge of the duties of janitor, and courteous attention paid to the members.

   The McGrawville Sentinel and Otselic Valley Register were authorized to publish the equalization tables at $15 each.

   In the matter of designating the papers to publish the session laws, four ballots were taken, the News receiving 5, Standard 5, Democrat 5, and the matter was postponed to 2 P. M.

   The County Clerk elect was authorized to purchase a covering for the floor of his office similar to the one in the Supervisors' room.

   The subject of designating papers to publish session laws being called up, and the results being the same as before, on motion, it was postponed indefinitely.

   The Cortland Democrat and Standard were designated to publish the terms of the Supreme and County courts for the ensuing year.

   The Superintendent of the Poor reported that the number of paupers supported during the past year was 364 and the number temporarily relieved was 247 at a cost of $8,968.09.

   Thursday. — The clerk was authorized to draw an order for $22.66 to Robert Bushby for coal, and for $5.75 to Homer and Cortland Gas company for gas furnished supervisors' rooms.

   On motion of Mr. Dougherty, the thanks of the Board was tendered to their clerk, Mr. H. D. Waters, for his gentlemanly deportment, and the tact and ability with which he had conducted the business of the Board.

   On motion of Dr. Angell, the Board expressed their "gratitude and esteem for our chairman, E. C. Carley, Esq., who has so ably and satisfactorily presided over our deliberations, and by the equity of his decisions, his genial and friendly spirit manifested personally to each of us, has left a happy remembrance in the mind of each of us which we shall long delight to cherish."

   Mr. Carley replied substantially as follows:

   I sincerely thank you, gentlemen, not only for this resolution you have seen fit to pass in commendation of my course, but also for your kind and very generous treatment of me during the session, and for the honorable and manly course of each in the necessarily perplexing and difficult duties of the Board; rendering my duty plain and easy. I must congratulate you on the manner in which you have performed your business here, and again return each of you my thanks, not forgetting your efficient and gentlemanly clerk. Remembering, in view of the light of our recent elections, that political preferment is very uncertain, and that in all probability we shall not all meet again in this capacity, I bid you farewell and declare Board adjourned without day.

   H. W. Blashfield [Supervisor, Homer—CC editor] blew off the steamer Saturday which he has had for the past four weeks employed in grinding and pressing apples. In that time he has worked up over seven thousand bushels. He has extracted the seeds from this pile and also from the pomace which was made at Crofoot's mill.— Homer Republican.

“Pap” Clark’s Threat.

   We published last week a true account of the relations between the Standard and Judge A. P. Smith. In the fullness time, which will someday come, we shall also have some revelations to make in connection with the Normal school controversy which will be interesting reading to some people, and not so much so to others.

   We clip the foregoing from the Cortland Standard of last week and give it the benefit of the circulation of a Republican paper so that Republicans as well as Democrats may know that something brilliant is coming "in the fullness of time"—that is, if the brilliant editor don't get too full himself. There are some things on that subject that the people of this locality desire the snowstorm gentleman from Wayne to speak or write upon, and to aid him we will call his attention to a few things that interest our people:

   1. Will he make full quotations from his paper of all he ever wrote against Dr. Hoose [principal of the Normal school—CC editor] before that gentleman refused to recommend and urge the appointment of the brother of said William H. Clark to the professorship in the Cortland Normal school made vacant by the resignation of Prof. Wright?

   2. Will he state just how long after he discovered that he could not use Dr. Hoose for the promotion of the interests of the Clark family before he made his attack upon Dr. Hoose, and whether since that time he has not done his "level best " to ruin Dr. Hoose and all who stood with him?

   3. Will he quote from his paper anything that he ever said or wrote against the local board of the Normal school before they looked his brother over and decided that he could not fill a professorship in the Cortland Normal school?

   4. Will he tell truthfully (it he can) how long after the local board decided not to appoint his brother before he commenced an attack upon the local board, and whether he don't think he has disgraced himself in the eyes of all decent people by his shameless attacks on them since?

   5. Did seven of the local board favor the appointment of J. M. Milne instead of that of Clark's brother to such professorship, and was such appointment opposed by Neil Gilmour and two of the local board? Afterward did Mr. Milne turn his back upon his friends who had stood by him and go over to Gilmour and the two members of the board who had opposed him, and for such treachery did editor Clark suddenly become the friend of said Milne and Gilmour and said two former opponents of Milne and the enemy of the said even, all to beat "old Hoose"? And are said Milne and Clark and one of said two members joint owners of a building [Standard block—CC editor] well down toward Virgil, where they are intriguing to force business by the removal of the post office from the business center of the village?

   6. Did William H. Clark ever oppose Dr. Hoose or the local board until they took some of their printing "pap" to another office? And isn't that and the brother question the seed germ of all of Clark's "cussedness" so far as the Normal school is concerned?

   7. Did editor Clark go to Albany and argue the best he could before the Assembly committee in favor of Neil Gilmour's bill to give absolute power to the superintendent of public instruction, and hasn't he felt a little more bitter against Judges Duell and Smith since on that occasion they showed up to the committee the true inwardness of his opposition and killed the infamous project "deader than old hay"?

   8. Did Mr. Clark approve of the action of Hon. Neil Gilmour in overriding the law and attempting to close and ruin our Normal school simply because Dr. Hoose preferred another person for State superintendent of public instruction? And what does he think of the Court of Appeals, which showed up all the hollow sham pretences of having done so in conformity to law?

   9. Does Mr. Clark approve of Gilmour's conduct in withholding the diplomas from six ladies and one gentleman simply because they obeyed the law and recognized "old Hoose" as principal, and this even after the Court of Appeals had declared that Dr. Hoose was principal and the term at which they graduated was regular, or does he approve of the coming down by Gilmour when he saw the courts looking at him?

   10. What does Clark think of mandamuses anyway as a means of correcting abuses? To be sure Gilmour's did not work in the end, but then Judge Smith's did. Will Mr. Clark in his threatened dissertation praise the writ, or does he hate Smith too intensely?

   11. What does Clark think of the Normal school system any way—outside of the question of furnishing professorships for the Clark family?

   13. Will partner Clark please ask Col. Carmichael--what embittered him against Dr. Hoose and the local board and truthfully set it forth in the promised revelation? The people understand it, and we only suggest it in this connection as a test of the capacity of "the gang” and its organ to tell the truth.

   It will be noticed that THE NEWS makes no assertions in the foregoing. We only ask Willie Clark, as they called him in Lyons, to give his opinions upon these specific points. Don't quote imaginary and false conversations with Mr. Briggs or Mr. Ballard or any other dead men as you did in your fairy tales over the Judge Smith matter; but if you have any manhood left come right out like a man and answer [the news page is ink-smeared and illegible with at least fifty words left in the article—CC editor]